Friday, June 14, 2013

Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News


Shan leaders meet in Rangoon

Posted: 14 Jun 2013 02:44 AM PDT

 
On Wednesday evening at 4.00 pm local time, the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army's (RCSS/SSA) delegates met with Hkun Htun Oo, chairman of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), at his residence on Pyay Road in Rangoon for a discussion on current political situation in the country and Shan State affairs followed by a press conference.

In the meeting between the 2 leaders 3 main issues were discussed: a framework for political dialogs, alternative solutions for Shan migrants in Thailand, and the releasing of political prisoners, according to Maj. Lao Hseng, a spokesperson for the RCSS/SSA.

From left: Harn Yawnghwe, Sai Ai Pao, Lt-Gen Yawdserk, Hkun Htun Oo and Lt-Gen Hsohten (Photo: Kawli Media)

"It is very important to begin with a framework for political dialogs. The dialog is not only among politicians, but ethnic armed groups and with all people concerned to take place in Shan State in 2014. Secondly, since 1997 during the rule of the previous military government, the so-called'4-cut Policy' was used to forcefully relocate the people of Shan State. The policy resulted in the migration of over 800,000 people to Thailand, most of them with illegal status. For those people, before the National census can be conducted countrywide in 2014, they should consider how the national identification card and household registration could be applied; and also how to resettle them in their home states prior to their leaving. Thirdly, the leaders also discussed freeing all the political prisoners and eliminating the illegal status of ethnic armed group organizations, Section 17/1 of the penal code," Maj. Lao Hseng told SHAN.

It has been reported that RCSS/SSA's delegation led by Lt-Gen Yawdserk were cordially received by Hkun Htun Oo, the chairman, vice-chairman Sai Hla Aung, secretary Sai Nyunt Lwin, joint-secretary Sai Leik and some other members of the SNLD.

"Following the meeting with Hkun Htun Oo, a press conference was held at his residence," said RCSS spokesperson.

On the same day, in the evening at 5.00 pm, the RCSS delegation, led by Yawdserk, were honoured with a dinner at Chatirum Hotel in Rangoon. Apart from SNLD members, SNDP chairman Sai Ai Pao, Lt-Gen Hsohten, chief advisor of SSPP/SSA and Harn Yawnghwe from the Euro-Burma Office were among those present.

"The gathering for a dinner was a special event of its kind. Basically we gathered only for dinner, no political discussion. But informal talks on 'how permanent peace' can be achieved were on the table," Maj. Lao Hseng told SHAN.

Since 9 June, upon the invitation of President Thein Sein, the RCSS delegation, led by Lt-Gen Yawdserk, is on a trip to Burma visiting Naypyitaw, Rangoon and other cities.

Shan Army’s liaison reps attacked

Posted: 14 Jun 2013 02:44 AM PDT

 
The Burma Army commander, based in Lashio, has denied allegations against the Shan State Army (North) for the 2 missing of its liaison representatives, who are believed to have been killed, the case has been filed in the parliamentary session, as they [the Burma army] claim 'no responsibility', said the SSPP/SSA spokesperson.

"Our representatives, Sai Kawng and Sai Sang Tawng, from our liaison office based in Namtu Township are missing. One was shot at, and the government army, without any inquiry, arrested the other. We have requested that the Burma Army, Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) commander-in-chief release our men. They [the Burma Army] denied having any knowledge of the disappearances," said Maj. Sai La, the spokesperson for the SSPP/SSA.

"As for your missing people, we have no responsibility. It is impossible that the Burma Army would have done it. We've neither seen nor heard about it," blasted the Burma Army commander.

"As the Burma Army commander responded by saying 'they have no news about the incidents', we have requested the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP) MP forward the case to the parliamentary session," added Maj. Sai La.

It was reported that on 5 June, Wednesday, 2 SSPP/SSA liaison office representatives, Sai Kawng and Sai Sang Tawng from Pangkham village, Wengnan tract, Namtu township in northern Shan State, were shot at only Sai Sang Tawng survived the assault. The incident took place when the two were returning home from their work place in rubber plantations near Nawng Kao Lut and 2 km from Pangkham, they encountered with a unit of the Burma Army under the control of LIB 501 led by Col. Aung Than Moe.

It has been reported that Sai Kawng died on the spot; Sai Sang Tawng was taken away by a unit of the Burma Army, said an informant, who is a native of Namtu.

"Sai Sang Tawng's mother immediately followed the Burma Army, as it has been rumored that he was taken to Hsenwi. The mother did not see her son there. She then reported the case to the army regional office. But she was told that they have no knowledge about her son," said an SSPP/SSA commander.

In May a government negotiator from the Union Peacemaking Working Committee (UPWC) and one from the SSPP met in Tangyan. Both sides have signed the Tangyan Agreement, which says they will avoid clashes and resolve the problem peacefully. However, clash after clash is still occurring, and due to the clashes between the two armies human rights abuses are still occurring just as before in Namtu township, northern Shan State.

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