Letter from Dr.U Myint

Yangon
30 April 2011
Dear Mr. Editor,

As you know, there have been some speculation and expression of concern regarding my relationship with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. It is true I have been having private chats with her. These chats have been free, frank, open and were held in a friendly and congenial atmosphere. I am much older than her and did a short stint as a teacher at the university. However, I suspect in order to put a grumpy old man at ease, she always graciously addresses me as “saya”.

Of course, we sometimes talk about the economy. When we do that I become more grumpy. On these occasions, despite what she has gone through, she remains calm, collected, cheerful and very upbeat. So I often wonder, who is trying to cheer up who.

I tell her economics is too important to be left to economists and we must all pull together. She agrees. I tell her, although I served 20 years in the United Nations as a senior economist, she should not think I have 20 years UN experience. It is more like one year’s experience repeated 20 times. I also tell her after 20 years with the UN, I can be very wishy washy if I want to be. But that special talent, I keep in reserve for better times.

Let me conclude by expressing my deep appreciation to all those who have shown interest and have expressed concern regarding my relationship with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. To put you at ease and to place matters in proper perspective, my latest message to her reads as follows, quote: “Dear Ms. Suu Suu: Listen to Mozart. Take care of your health. Don’t get too upset if your internet says – “server not found”, or “Oops! You have been disconnected”. This is happening to all of us, all the time. Warm regards, Saya U Myint”. End quote.

Best wishes,
U Myint