Thursday, May 8, 2014

Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News


Re: Shan meeting to ‘comply with’ people’s call for unity

Posted: 08 May 2014 05:52 AM PDT

Dear Committee for Shan State Unity (CSSU), Monks and Citizens,

Physically I am unable to do much, but from my armchair and writing I have always supported the unity of the Shan people since the period of "independence" versus the "federation" amongst the Shan. I have refused to be drawn into any party and take sides.

My principle was that I support all peoples of the Shan State.

Now, I am more than overwhelmed to hear that the CSSU, are listening to the call of the monks and people and have considered to work together, and unite as a single force.

I am also very pleased that the civilians have for the first time dared to voice their opinion.

This shows that the Tais are entering the first phase of true democracy, and may this continue in spite of many more obstacles and difficulties are still in front of them. As we all know, in true democracy the voice and will of the people count. When a good leader has the support of the whole population wonderful things can happen.

I am looking forward to the time when all the diverse groups of people in the Shan State can work together for the benefit and common good of the Motherland.

Why Unity is essential for the survival of the Shan State and its Diverse peoples?

The Tai Yai , the Wa, Pa-O, Palaumg, Danu, Intha, Kachin. Lisu, Lahu, Kaw and other smaller groups who live on the Shan Plateau are all citizens of the Shan States, their common Motherland. In the past before 1962 these diverse groups lived harmoniously sided by side. Each was able to move about and trade freely with one another. All, without restriction were free to follow their own religion, way of life and speak their own language.

But during the last fifty years these groups without exception have suffered tremendously at the hands and wrath of the Burmese dictatorial regimes. They have been forced, bribed and encouraged to be divided and become enemies. To a certain extent the regime has succeeded, and due to insecurity and fear each ethnic group has become suspicious of each other. If they continue to feel and behave this way they will be complying with what the regime wants, and are likely to lose the whole motherland and all the resources. Whatever culture and language they have left will disappear forever and once gone it will be impossible to revive.

The Peoples of the Shan State are now facing the death of their own identity, and the disappearance of theirs and their ancestral land. People who feel strongly about preserving things that are valuable and important to them should come together, unite and fight for their common goal or cause.

Unity gives strength; strength gives hope; hope gives vision and vision gives courage towards a victory.

Many Shans are still very confused about the word "Unity." They still cannot make up their minds when and where to use their "similarities" and individual "differences".

We are all human beings and we recognise that every man and woman has his or her own opinion. We choose different jobs and environments in which we like to live and work in.

But often people with the same opinion and values come together and fight or campaign for the common desire of the group or party. Such unity can achieve success, while an individual may fail. Sometimes, we also have to compromise and give in to the majority with the most votes for the common good of all concerned.

For example in Britain, there are two opposing parties the Conservatives and Labour. They have different views, but when it comes to fighting the enemies, as in World War II or in the Falklands they unite to fight for the sake of the country and people. Here in spite their political differences and they united to fight against the foe. They made a decision to put the more important thing first.

Likewise, the Shan must during this existing crisis should choose to tackle the most important and essential issue first and leave the less ones for when the time is right.

Myy Soong Kha, and best wishes to all- ready to support and help
From,
Sao Noan Oo

Ethnic resistance reps to meet in Myitkyina

Posted: 08 May 2014 05:50 AM PDT

Representatives from armed resistance movements (ARMs) are scheduled to hold a meeting in Myitkyina and 15 May, a day after the planned 2-day talks between the Kachin Independence Organization/Kachin Independence Army (KIO/KIA) and the government's Union Peacemaking Work Committee (UPWC), according to resistance sources.
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Cover: Deciphering Myanmar's Peace Process: A Reference Guide 2014

Earlier they were planning to hold a third summit in Mongla on the Sino-Burmese border to discuss on the single text document for the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). [The first was in Laiza, 30 October-2 November 2013 and the second at Law Khee Lar, 20-25 January 2014]. However, both the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and its ally the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), had refused to host it "at the last minute," citing "incomprehension of the aim and objectives" of the planned summit, according to NCCT sources.

The representatives meeting in Myitkyina will then travel to Rangoon for the NCCT-UPWC meeting, 19-20 May, over the NCA single text document.

The document, combining proposals made by both sides, has 23 pages. All propositions and words both sides are in agreement are typed in black, while those that have been proposed by the NCCT for the UPWC to consider are in red. Concurrently, those that were proposed by the UPWC for the NCCT to consider are in blue.

Differences in the wordings include, among others, the NCCT's "Ethnic Armed Movements" (together with the UPWC's "Armed Ethnic Movements") and "Federal Democratic Union" (UPWC's Democratic Nation.)
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Lt. Gen. Myint Soe of Burma's Defense Ministry (r) shakes hands with Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Gun Maw of the Kachin Independence Army during peace talks in Myitkyina, Kachin State in October 2013. (Photo: AP)

Differences in principles include, also among others, the UPWC's proposition that "Any violation of the NCA by either side shall be subject to the decision of the Union Peacemaking Central Committee (UPCC)."

The UPCC, according to the NCCT is to all intents and purposes, "the Ka-long (National Defense and Security Council, considered the most powerful organ in the country) in another name."

It is made up of 11 people: the President, 2 Vice Presidents, lower house speaker, upper house speaker, Commander-in-Chief, Home Minister, Defense Minister, Border Affairs Minister, Attorney General and President's Office Secretary. The only difference to the Ka-long is that the latter has the Deputy Commander in Chief and a foreign minister instead of the Attorney General and the President's Office Secretary.

"One reason it has taken so much time to finalize the NCA is the both sides have been spending so much time wrangling with each other over political issues, which are better discussed after the NCA," said a prominent NCCT member.

The NCA signing is planned to be followed by negotiations for the Framework for Political Dialogue and, afterward, Political Dialogue.

Burma military intelligence raids RCSS liaison office in Keng Tung

Posted: 08 May 2014 05:48 AM PDT

CHIANG MAI-May 7. Burma Military Affairs Security (MAS), formerly known as Military Intelligence, together with police and Burma Army raided the Restoration Council of Shan State's liaison office in the eastern Shan State capital Keng Tung, on May 6, 2014.
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Burma Army and Military Affairs Security searching belongings of RCSS/SSA office. (Photo: Ying Mok Tai Loi) 

Military Security Affairs,  police and soldiers, numbering about 20 personnel, raided and searched the RCSS's liaison office, while Sai Soe Mong, the liaison officer in Keng Tung, was summoned to the office of MAS.

Sai Soe Mong, the liaison officer in Keng Tung said: "I was summoned to the MAS's office. When I was there, they (MAS, police and soldiers) raided and searched my office. I requested to leave, but I was not allowed to."

Sai Soe Mong was allowed to leave after 4 hours at the MAS office, when the raid team had finished their mission.
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Burma Army and police at the RCSS/SSA liaison office in Keng Tung. (Photo: Ying Mok Tai Loi) 

"Such action could affect our trust. In fact, if they would like to investigate, they should give a warrant and inform us. Now, the police, the spies (MAS) and soldiers raided our office while we were building peace. We should solve the matter peacefully and politely," said the RCSS/SSA liaison officer.

He added: "According to our Shan culture, we take off our shoes before entering a house, but Burma Army did not listen to us."

RCSS/SSA has opened 6 liaison offices across Shan State after it reached a ceasefire with Naypyitaw in late 2011.

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