"Dear Patriotic Karen National Leaders, Comrades, Karen Nationals and the People, Today, August 12, 2021 is the 71st Anniversary of the Karen National Martyrs Day. It is the Karen National Martyrs Day designated for commemoration of President Saw Ba U Gyi and Karen national leaders, soldiers and the entire Karen people, who have sacrificed their lives for freedom of the Karen people from subjugation and oppression. For the Karen people, today is a day of sorrow, as well as a day to feel pride in the knowledge that there are patriotic leaders, soldiers and the Karen people, who would readily sacrifice their lives, limbs, time, money, comfort and material riches for attainment of the Karen national aspirations and goals. Dear Patriotic Karen National Leaders, Comrades, Karen Nationals and the People, Everything has its price. The martyrs' sacrifices, the shedding of blood and accepting the losses, and participation in the struggle for national cause have paid for the cost for national freedom. On such an occasion, I feel proud of the Karen martyrs, who stood up firmly for the national aspirations and political goals, in accordance with conviction, until the end of their lives. In the successive eras, our national leaders have striven, by various means, for the fulfillment of our Karen national aspirations and political goals. Inevitably, they have had to resort to armed resistance in the defense of the lives and homes of the Karen people. At the same time, effort has been made to resolve the political problems by political means. However, the seizing of power on February 1, 2021, has been a political setback, causing terror, atrocities and killing of the people to spread to areas of large cities and human centers. Terror, atrocities and killing of the people are ongoing without end, up to this day. So long as there is no political will for dialogue to resolve the political problems, it is impossible to place our hope on political dialogue. For that reason, we have to act in defense of our land, and the lives, homes and properties of our people while keeping the door open for the political dialogue. I would like to urge our own nationals to uphold and act in accordance with the Four Principles of President Saw Ba U Gyi. 1 nationals, there are weaknesses among the leaders due to lack of political knowledge, educational training, skills and funds. These problems have adversely impacted selfconfidence and trust among ourselves, in addition to our unity and cooperation. Whatever it may be, for the Karen nationals, there are still our national leaders and patriotic soldiers, and additionally there are our people, heroes who will toil on and sacrifice their lives, sweat and blood until the end. At home, we have our national leaders, patriot soldiers and, in addition to our people, there are those who have gone to live in various countries and who are loyal to our nation and stand firmly for our conviction and national goals. There are leaders, soldiers and the people, who are struggling and holding hands with us, in spite of poverty and difficulties. The patriot leaders at home and abroad who are true to our conviction and our national goals, the soldiers and all the masses are our genuine and main strength, and they are the patriots, who will uphold the convictions and fulfil successfully the goals of our national martyrs. Dear Patriotic Karen National Leaders, Comrades, Karen Nationals and the People, The Karen people are a nationality having their own history, culture, customs and traditions. They have the right and duty to protect their history, culture, customs and traditions, and resist every attempt to harm, impede or ruin them. They have to defend their peace, properties and development, and overthrow any move to upset them. They have the absolute right to defend the lives of our Karen nationals and regions. I would like to urge our Karen nationals on their part to strive on until the end, with unity and steadfastness, for achievement of the goals of our nation and the Karen martyrs..."