Shan Herald Agency for News |
- Aid from Japan undelivered: SSPP/SSA
- Shan studies conference in Maehongson
- To Hopeland and Back (Part II)
- No funding for drug reports
- Burma Army engaged in friendly-fire
| Aid from Japan undelivered: SSPP/SSA Posted: 26 Jun 2013 11:58 PM PDT "(Border Areas and National Races Development Affairs) Lashio Office promises that once the clashes are over, the rice aid from Japan will be delivered to the SSPP HQ. The clashes between the SSPP/SSA and government troops are occurring in Wanwap village, Kehsi Township in southern Shan State. The confrontation occurred when the government army did not comply with the ceasefire agreement that both sides had signed. Now people are scared to live in the village, even monks have fled from their temples. The government army has occupied the temple's compound and directs its military operations there," said Maj. Sai La, the SSPP/SSA spokesperson.  Representatives of the SSPP/SSA and government peace negotiators at Tangyan (Photo: Sai Hak) The SSPP/SSA was said to have told the Nippon Foundation earlier that they will not accept the offer if the aid come through the Myanmar Peace Center (MPC). Reportedly, all the current aid from Nippon Foundation, which are distributed to all ethnic groups, are being managed by the MPC. "The Nippon Foundation and the MPC came together to offer aid in cash at the Natala Office. The Natala then purchased the required amount of rice and stored it in their office. On 24 June, I went to sign the invoice and official documents with the duty officer at the Lashio Natala office, but the bags of rice were not yet delivered," Maj. Sai La told SHAN. "We have suggested the Nippon Foundation give us cash instead of rice, because we can the purchase the rice ourselves later," said the SSPP/SSA spokesperson. He continued by saying, "Not only do our people prefer Shan rice, but the money would also go to local vendors, allowing locals to benefit by gaining more income," explained the SSPP/SSA spokesperson. On 24 June, it was reported that clashes occurred between the SSPP/SSA and the Burma Army as the latter with Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 525 attacked the former's base at Wanwap village, Kehsi Township in southern Shan State. The next day, 25 June, following the SSA's withdrawal reinforcement troops from the Burma Army arrived. The two units then mistook each other for the SSA and engaged in friendly fire for several hours, said a SSPP source. |
| Shan studies conference in Maehongson Posted: 26 Jun 2013 11:58 PM PDT  Advertisement for the Shan Studies Conference (Photo: Pantip) It is expected to be joined by scholars and Shan far (US, Burma, India, and Japan) and near (Chiangmai and Bangkok). Sai Aung Tun, 80, who in 2009 published the acclaimed History of the Shan State: From its origins to 1962 is among them. The forum is jointly organized by Maehongson Community College's Shan Studies Center and Chiangmai University's Center of Ethnic Studies and Development (CESD). Khuensai Jaiyen, editor of the Chiangmai-based Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN), who has been invited as one of the panelists said he was happy with the topic chosen for him: History and Social Memory of Tai People in Southeast Asia. "As topics go, it's a loaded one," he said. "It means it's up to myself what I wish to present to the conference. I'm grateful to the organizers for their consideration." Maehongson, together with Chiangmai and Chiangrai, shares border with Burma's Shan State, and has a sizeable Shan population. The conference will be conducted in Thai and English. "For panelists who wish to speak in Shan," said Ajarn Yothin Boonchaluey of Maehongson Community College, "interpreters will be provided." Attached is the detailed agenda of the two-day conference. Attachment: 1st Tai Studies Conference agenda.pdf |
| To Hopeland and Back (Part II) Posted: 26 Jun 2013 09:53 PM PDT Day Four (12 June 2013) After breakfast, we started out for Rangoon from Naypyitaw, 205 miles (332.5 km) away. At 15:00, we entered the city. Escorted by a traffic police officer, we arrived at Hotel Yangon on the 8th mile junction. The MAS officer who served as a guide to the delegation told us until 2004 it used to be the headquarters of the notorious national intelligence agency headed by Gen Khin Nyunt. It had been reopened as a hotel just two years ago. At 19:00 we had dinner at the Chatrium Hotel. Chairmen Yawdserk (RCSS/SSA), Hkun Htun Oo (SNLD) and Sai Ai Pao (SNDP); Lt-Gen Hso Ten (patron to SSPP/SSA); and Harn Yawnghwe (Euro Burma Office) ate in a separate room and afterward held a "summit" meeting. According to Yawdserk, the meeting had agreed a representative body should be formed to speak for the Shan State during the upcoming political negotiations.  Day Five (13 June 2013) 09:00-12:00 Meeting at the UNODC office, with Jason Eligh, followed by another meeting with diplomats from Germany, the EU and Japan. Interestingly, many seemed to think politics could not be separated from drugs, though they were carefuled to say it in public. Not surprisingly, Mr. Eligh stole the show at the joint press conference held later, outshining Yawdserk. The latter said later he didn't mind. "He's the guy who's seeking funds for our projects," he commented. 15:30-16:30 Meeting with top officials from US, UK, and EU embassies, including Derek Mitchell. It was a closed-door affair. No video cameras and no audio recorders to allow the participants to speak freely. Most of the discussion focused on current dialogues between Naypyitaw and various armed movements.  Day Six (14 June 2013) Meeting with representatives from 12 political parties, 8 civil society organizations and 16 media organizations at the Royal Rose, which have become a familiar rendezvous for activist movements. As I climbed down the mini bus, I ran into a vendor selling xeroxed copies of "The Kyat Pyay scandal" (Part 1, 2, 3 and 4) and an unflattering commentary on a book on Senior Gen Than Shwe. Unlike in Lashio where I visited in March, he was selling quite openly. Our security officers wouldn't have missed me buying a copy of each from him, but no one seemed to mind.  The discussions were mostly about the peace process and the amendment to the constitution. Yawdserk said the two must go together. At 14:30 the delegation separated: one, led by chairman, Yawdserk went to meet the Norwegian ambassador, and another, led by RCSS joint secretary Sai La, visited MPC. I went along with the second group. At the MPC U Hla Maung Shwe, Dr Min Za Oo, and Dr Kyaw Yin Hlaing received us, among others. The MPC, we were explained, is not a policy maker but a technical advisory body to advise:
The RCSS was encouraged to discuss their problems with the MPC that can help reduce cumbersome red tape. When I asked him about the tenure of the MPC, U Hla Maung Shwe said the new president should be inaugurated in January 2016, following the elections in late 2015. As the MPC was set up by executive order, only another executive order can terminate it. But he hoped the Center would be an established institution by then. Day Seven (15 June 2013) I was visiting the Shwe Dagon, buying books in Pansodan and visiting long-time-no-see relatives today and missed the Aung San Suu Kyi-Yawdserk meeting. What Chairman Yawdserk told me later appeared to be what had impressed him most:
At 18:00, a dinner party was hosted by U Aung Min in honor of chairmen Yawdserk and Mutu to Sayphoe of Karen National Union (KNU) who with his delegation arrived from Myawaddy yesterday. The following comes from my notes taken at the informal meeting held before the party: U Aung Min: For reconciliation in Karen State, we have requested Gen Mutu spearhead it, just as we have requested Hkun Htun Oo to do the same in Shan State. Yawdserk: I would like to know why there is a need to sign a second ceasefire agreement since we have already signed one. U Aung Min: The difference is that at the second signing, it will be witnessed by dignitaries all over the world. All those concerned will sign it. Afterward, nobody will be able to renege on it and reverse the trend even if he wants to. I left for Taunggyi the next day (16 June) to call on my ailing sister and her children. On 17 June, I was back in Thailand, which, as Neil Diamond sang, is "fine but it ain't home." |
| Posted: 26 Jun 2013 09:52 PM PDT  Today, 26 June 2013, the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, is quite special. SHAN has good news for so-called drug busters in our country: There isn't a Shan Drug Watch report like previous years. Cover: Shan Drug Watch issue 1 No reason has been given for the termination, although the annual grant had never been more than $ 50,000 each year. Probably because SHAN wasn't an exceptional case, because one of its partner organizations reported significant cut in funding too. Whatever the reasons are, it has become increasing clear that drugs have become one of the country's foremost problems during the last year, as evidenced by:
All these carry a similar message: Drugs have become such a threat the matter can no longer be left to governments to sort out.  Cover: Shan Drug Watch issue 5 But looking at civil society organizations mushrooming up across the country, problems that have plagued it for so long – drugs, peace, federalism, poverty, land, etc. — will not go away until and unless the people are restored to their rightful place in the sun. |
| Burma Army engaged in friendly-fire Posted: 26 Jun 2013 09:51 PM PDT Sources say clashes between Shan State Army-North (SSA-N) and Burma Army, which broke out recently started again this morning as units engaged in "friendly fire" for 2 hours in Keshi Township, southern Shan State. "We withdrew our troops from Wanwap village yesterday evening; units of the Burma Army under the control of regional command Lashio were replaced by LIB 525. With several units of its frontlines in the eastern central region requests were made to LIB for reinforcement troops. During the friendly fire it is possible the LIB commander did not notice we had already left the village. Both sides with reinforced units have been stationed in the village exchanging attacks lasting for 2 hours a SSPP/SSA commander told SHAN.  A shell that fell through the monestery's roof without exploding (Photo: SSPP/SSA) On 24 June at 10.00 in the morning Langkhur based units of Burma army LIB 525 and LIB 569,under the control of eastern regional command, together 100 troops strong continuously launched the attack with M60 and M79 machine guns towards Wanwap Buddhist temple and into the village. Burma army was reportedly attempting to take over the village where the SSA-N is based and thus resisted the assualts; fighting lasted from 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm in the evening. As Burma Army troops advanced toward the village, fearing of damaging houses and properties of villagers, the SSA withdrew its troops, said the SSA field commander. Wanwap village is located on Lashio-Mongyai-Keshi Highway in Kehsi Township, some 30 miles from Mongyai. "On 23 June, we fought the whole day, at night fall the SSA troops and units of the Burma Army were attempting to encircle each other. On the night of 24 June we retreated to the other side of the Keshi-Mongyai Highway. Clashes that took place this morning were not with us, but battalions of the Burma Army units. We have informed the representatives from the Union Peacemaking Work Committee (UPWC) office not to allow their trips to cross over the east side of the highway. Our troops have been ordered to shoot them if they cross," Col Naw Leik, a member of UPWC from SSA-N told SHAN. Due to the clashes between 2 armies, units of Burma army from Keshi, Mongnawng and Monghsu, under the control of Middle Eastern Command, have been reinforced in the SSPP/SSA controlled areas. LIB 525 and 569 soldiers loaded were brought in, in over 10 military trucks, and have been mistaken by reinforcement troops under the control of the northeastern regional command said a relative of a truck driver who carried the Burma Army troops in. The SSPP/SSA has rejected the Burma Army's demand to withdraw its base from its Ta Soppu camp, which is a key strategic point, because the Burma Army has prepared its units to take over the base using force. The SSA is prepared for any consequences. Some villagers have fled to other villages due to fear of death, said a Buddhist monk. |
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