Shan Herald Agency for News |
- To Hopeland and Back: The 23rd trip
- To Hopeland and Back: The 23rd trip
- China reinforces troops at Shan border
| To Hopeland and Back: The 23rd trip Posted: 28 Nov 2016 12:32 AM PST Day Eight. Saturday, 12 November 2016 When China sneezes, the whole world catches cold. Bangkok Post, 10 October 2016 Today I'm meeting friends who can open their hearts to me, and mine to them. We naturally begin our non-agenda conversation with Burmese domestic politics (Section 66d, etc) which naturally drifts to the peace process, the involvement by big powers, and, as can be expected, to China.
The following are the excerpts: · The MoU for the Yunnan-Kyaukphyu railway project has expired. And China seems to have decided on a new proposal: Instead of Mangxi (Mong Khawn to Shans)- Ruili (Mong Mao to Shans)- Muse-Lashio, as the previous project called for, it is now proposing a new route: Mangxi- Lincang-Mengding (Mong Ting to Shans)- Chinshwehaw (in Kokang on the Burmese side) – Kunlong and Lashio. When the State Counselor visited China in August, a new agreement was signed to build a (new?) bridge in Kunlong on the Salween, which connects Chinshwehaw with Hsenwi and Lashio. As the projected Chinshwehaw-Kunlong-Lashio railway passes along the Ting River, a tributary of the Salween, and forms as a natural boundary between Kokang and Wa, the implication is that the Wa will be torn between its security concern and the reluctance to offend China. "They will also realize that if Naypyitaw gives everything Beijing wants, which is not foreseeable at this time, their status as China's proxy will become precarious," comments one. · China is said to have 3 special departments under its foreign ministry: Myanmar Affairs, North Korean Affairs, and Afghan Affairs. It proves how high Beijing is prioritizing Burma. · A yet-to-be confirmed report also says China had proposed to CinC Min Aung Hlaing, during his late October visit, to form border committees as Burma has been doing with Thailand: 1. Township level Border Committee (TBC): meets every month, as necessity calls for, led by top area military officers from each side 2. Regional level Border Committee (RBC): meets every 6 months, as necessity calls for, led by regional army commanders 3. Joint Border Committee (JBC): meets every year, as necessity calls for, led by foreign ministers from each side 4. High Level Committee (HLC):meets as need arises, led by top commanders of each armed forces In the evening, representatives from Shan parties, armies and CSOs meet at Shan Yoya, a Shan restaurant at Wadan Road, near the Panda Hotel, to discuss how, where, and when the Committee for Shan State Unity (CSSU) should be held to plan for the National level Political Dialogue (ND). This informal meeting results in 3 informal resolutions: · The venue should be Taunggyi · The date should be 27-29 November. (This was later postponed to December as hotels in Taunggyi are full during the Shan New Year which falls on 30 November) · The non-Shan parties/CSOs will be invited We also discuss participation by non-signatory EAOs in the upcoming ND. There are however 2 different views: · On the one hand, the non-signatories who are bilateral signatories should be made eligible to join. If their participation is denied, then it will be difficult to implement any decisions passed by the Union Peace Conference (which is held to present the results of the NDs in areas under their control) · On the other hand, there are those on both sides: government and signatory EAOs) who see that by allowing bilateral agreement signatories to join the ND and the UPC, the NCA will become meaningless There's an old saying that says," Where there is a will, there is a way." So do we have the will? | ||||||
| To Hopeland and Back: The 23rd trip Posted: 28 Nov 2016 12:20 AM PST Day Seven. Friday, 11 November 2016 The principle must be 'One kyat for Burman, one kyat for Shan.' Aung San's famous quote
Today, the second meeting of Joint Coordination Body (JCB) for Peace Funding is held at NRPC. On the EAO side are representatives from both signatories and non-signatories. Except for NSCN (Naga), UWSA (Wa) and NDAA (Mongla), all of whom have bilateral agreements with Naypyitaw. Each side has brought its draft ToR to the meeting.
U Kyaw Tint Swe (assisted by to doctors Aung Tun Thet and Min Zaw Oo) takes pains to explain to his EAO counterparts the government's stance: 1. The JCB, after establishment, will not come under NRPC. It will be a separate entity. 2. The key word is (coordination) not (control). It is about (facilitation) not (centralization). 3. 'National ownership' only goes in line with UN principles, to facilitate, nothing more 4. The JCB's focus will also be on programmes, not projects 5. The sharing of funds will be on the principle of equity and not equality
The EAOs then present their views: · We are in the peace process, not because we want funding. On the contrary, we are asking for funding because we want to make the peace process a success. · International funding should be without strings attached The meeting agree upon two other important items: · Both the government and the EAOs can develop and raise funds for their individual projects separately with timely information to one another · A joint drafting team is formed that will meet on 14 November. · The third meeting will be on 19 November. (I have seen the joint draft that came out on 14 November, but have yet to see the resolutions passed on 19 November.) Altogether, not bad a day, considering the result. But the 5 year experience has taught us all that the peace process in never an ever ascending one. That it always has its ups and downs. But whatever happens, one hopes for the best. | ||||||
| China reinforces troops at Shan border Posted: 27 Nov 2016 09:03 PM PST Following intensified hostilities between Burmese government forces and ethnic armed groups in northern Shan State, the Chinese military has beefed up its manpower and munitions along the border, according to local sources.  Sai Bee, a resident in Muse Township who fled across the border to the Chinese town of Shweli to escape the recent fighting, told Shan Herald that he saw tanks and more than 200 military trucks full of soldiers arriving at the China-Burma border on Saturday. "More than 200 military trucks, tanks and heavy weapons, including machine guns, came in with the troops and they are now positioned near the border," he said. "It has been reported that they have been sent in to protect the border area, but we do not know what is going to happen next." According to Ko Aung Aung who is also a resident in Muse, at least ten Burmese military trucks with troops and weapons from Lashio were on Friday heading to the volatile areas of 105-Mile, Parng Zai and Mong Koe in Muse District. "During these past few days, we have not heard any gunfire in the area," he said. "However, in the city [Muse], there are barely any people – only security guards remain there." Also on the Chinese border, in Namkham, some 30 kilometres southwest of Muse, security is reported to be "very tight." Any travelers or traders going in and out the town are searched carefully, and the local bridge linking Shan and Kachin states has been closed since November 23. Last Thursday, Chinese and Burmese delegations met in Burma's capital to discuss the ongoing conflict in northern Shan State, according to the President's Office in Naypyidaw. Meanwhile, last Sunday, November 20, a coalition of ethnic militias – the Arakan Army (AA), Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) – launched a joint military operation against Burmese government outposts and police stationsin the Muse Township villages of 105-Mile, Mong Koe and Parng Zai, as well as in Namkham and Kutkai townships. Fighting has left at least ten civilians dead and 30 injured, and has compelled tens of thousands, including women and children, to flee their homes. By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN) |
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