Shan Herald Agency for News |
- Three clashes in one day
- Ethnic conference to be convened in August
- Late Shan leader to be honored
- Rebel party has no plans to enter 2015 elections
- Top Wa leaders across the border
- Wa, Army engage in dangerous maneuvers
- Weekly Diary, No.634 (1-7 July 2013)
- State charter draft in high demand as amendment process begins
| Posted: 14 Jul 2013 09:31 PM PDT The latest clashes took place on 10 July:
The SSA suffered 3 wounded during the encounter in Nawng Khio, according to the SSA report that claims 3 killed and 4 wounded on the Burmese side. "The Burmese troops demanded that villagers from Khum Ngeun must compensate for the loss of their 3 weapons to the SSA," said the report, "because they failed to notify them in advance of the SSA presence in the area." The SSPP/SSA signed a ceasefire with Naypyitaw on 28 January 2012. It has reported that more than 100 clashes have taken place since then. The Burma Army meanwhile is busy reinforcing their troops in Mongton and Monghsat townships, opposite northern Thailand, where the United Wa State Army (UWSA) is entrenched. The two side are reportedly holding talks in Kengtung. The 5 men UWSA delegation is led by Bao Youliang (younger brother of Wa supreme leader Bao Youxiang) and includes Zhao Guo-an, U Aung Myint, Vice Chief of Staff Sai Hsarm and Wei Xueyun, Deputy Commander of 171st Military Region. Earlier, Thai sources had mistaken Bao Youliang for Xiao Minliang.  Bao Youliang, Zhao Guo-an, U Aung Myint, Sai Hsarm and Wei Xueyun (Photo: UWSA) |
| Ethnic conference to be convened in August Posted: 14 Jul 2013 09:30 PM PDT  Ethnic Nationalities Conference held in Chiangmai, 14 - 16 September 2012 (Photo: KNU) Ethnic alliances: United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), United Nationalities League for Democracy (UNLD), Ethnic Nationalities Council (ENC), National Democratic Front (NDF) and others will be invited to form a convening committee on 1-2 August. "This will be in line with the spirit of 'Unity in Diversity' instead of the outmoded spirit of 'Unity in Uniformity'," the ever-cheerful 67 year old Karen, said. The first conference, held in Chiangmai, 14-16 September, had adopted a 5 phase roadmap proposed by the UNFC:
The second Ethnic Nationalities, he said, would focus on the adoption of the draft framework and dialogue process. Dialogue issues, as drafted by the WGEC, includes:
|
| Late Shan leader to be honored Posted: 14 Jul 2013 09:29 PM PDT  Statue of Gen Gawn Zerng (Photo: SHAN) Gawn Zerng (1926-1991) also known as Mo Heng, together with Sao Noi (1927-1996) of Noom Seuk Harn, Nga Kham (1928-1964) of Shan National Army (SNA) and Chao Tzang Yanghwe (1939-2004) have been some of the most respected and loved resistance leaders. He had set up his base in Piangluang, Wiang Haeng district, Chiangmai province, during the Cold War, but moved his headquarters across the border in Pang Maisoong following détente with China. He died of cancer in 1991 and his tomb has been set up by his followers on the border near Fa Wiang Inn temple consecrated by him in 1968. |
| Rebel party has no plans to enter 2015 elections Posted: 14 Jul 2013 09:28 PM PDT "It is up to the SNLD (Shan Nationalities League for Democracy led by Hkun Htun Oo that won the most seats in Shan State in the 1990 elections) to decide," said one of the SSPP senior members. The SSPP, in 1995, had formed a Joint Action Committee (JAC) with the SNLD, with Hkun Htun Oo as its chairman. Sai Nyunt Lwin aka Sai Nood, the SNLD deputy leader, said the party still has yet to decide on the question. "Our biggest concern is the amendment of the 2008 constitution," he said. "Only through unity with all the stakeholders, we will be able to accomplish the task. The question whether or not we are going to the polls will be considered only afterwards."  Lt-Gen Yawd Serk and President Thein Sein (Photo: president-office.gov.mm) The Restoration Council of Shan State / Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) leader Lt-Gen Yawdserk also told a recent meeting held on the border that his mind was still on things other than setting up a political party and registering it for the coming elections. "One thing at a time," he said. "Now is the time to think about political negotiations, not about whether we should form a party or not." All of them, especially the two SSAs, were responding to President Thein Sein's suggestion to the RCSS/SSA on 10 June, when he received the visiting Yawdserk in Naypyitaw:
The president's suggestion came from one of his 8-point guidelines for union level negotiations. "The whole idea is not new," said an SSA officer. "It was contained in the Border Guard Force (BGF) proposal presented to ceasefire groups in 2009." Both the RCSS/SSA and SSPP/SSA concluded ceasefire with Napyitaw on 2 December 2011 and 28 January 2012 respectively. Since the ceasefire, each had already fought more than 100 clashes against the government forces. |
| Top Wa leaders across the border Posted: 14 Jul 2013 09:27 PM PDT  Xiao Minliang (Photo: UWSA) He said it is possible some of the 5 brigade commanders in the UWSA's 171st Military Region, whose units are stretched across areas opposite Maehongson, Chiangmai and Chiangrai provinces, would accompany the delegation to Kengtung.  Zhao Guo-an (Photo: UWSA)
Thousands of troops from both sides are facing off each other opposite Hua Mae Kham, Chiangrai province. Thousands of villagers in the area meanwhile are poised to cross the border into Thailand once fighting breaks out. "So far we have yet to hear any shots fired," said a local. "We are still waiting in suspense." One of the topics expected to be discussed in Kengtung appears to be the Shan State Army (SSA) South whose operational areas overlap those of the UWSA. "We heard that the Burma Army is planning to turn over some of the areas to the SSA," a SSA commander quoted his UWSA counterpart as saying. "I told him what we are asking for is the whole Shan State, not just a few plots of land." |
| Wa, Army engage in dangerous maneuvers Posted: 14 Jul 2013 09:26 PM PDT Pakae, the Wa outpost, one mile south of Loi Hsarm Hsoom, where the Burma Army is guarding its communication line between Monghsat and Tachilek, is being surrounded by Burmese troops, who are in turn surrounded by Wa troops. Pakae is higher than Loi Hsarm Hsoom and poses as a threat to the latter.  Loi Hsarm Hsoom is 13 miles east of Monghsat and 51 miles west of Tachilek, opposite Maesai. So far there has been no report of a shootout between the two sides. "We are not going to shoot first," one of the Wa officers was quoted as saying by a local. "But once the first shot is fired by the Burmese, we will not confine the fight to just Pakae. We are going to carry it to wherever the Burmese troops are." Representatives from both sides are due to meet in Kengtung on 11 July, according to a local source. Another source added that Naypyitaw had proposed 5 July for talks but Panghsang, the Wa capital, had asked to postpone it to a later date. The Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) meanwhile says it is not taking sides. "There is nothing we cannot resolve through peaceful means," said RCSS/SSA leader Yawdserk. The UWSA on the other hand suspects Naypyitaw and Yawdserk must have reached agreement on cooperation against it. The RCSS/SSA officers denied. "The Wa, in cooperation with the Burma Army, had fought against Shans since 1989," said a Shan officer. "So they naturally think we will be doing the same thing against them. They, of course, are simply wrong. We entertain no such idea. Moreover, this is the time for peace, not war." Altogether 13 armed movements, including the UWSA and RCSS/SSA, have signed ceasefire agreements with Naypyitaw since 18 August 2011, when President Thein Sein called for peace talks. |
| Weekly Diary, No.634 (1-7 July 2013) Posted: 14 Jul 2013 09:25 PM PDT
Cartoon Tips for negotiators: One way to deal with disagreements!  Think Piece I sometimes wonder whether the opium problem has not become a goose that lays golden eggs—enriching, on the one hand, the drug syndicates and traffickers and on the other providing multi-national and international bureaucracies with more jobs, funds and good living.  Chao Tzang Yawnghwe, The Shan of Burma, 1987 The World 3 July 2013  Coup in Egypt. Prosecutor Adli Mansour installed as interim head of government. (Agencies) International Relations 2 July 2013  Lt-Gen Thein Htay, head of the Directorate of Defense Industries, named by US Treasury for sanctions for arms deal with North Korea. (AFP) Thai-Burma Relations 3 July 2013  Chiangmai provincial police chief says officials have arrested 215 migrants, seized 21 motorbikes, and a number of pistols on 1-2 July 2013. The arrests of illegal migrants not related to the Samurai gang problem, says an immigration official. (Irrawaddy) Politics/ Inside Burma 1 July 2013  Union Assembly Speaker Khin Aung Myint says adoption of the proportional representation (PR) system will not be discussed as the official request by the Elections Commission did not meet the parliamentary criteria. (Eleven Media) 1 July 2013 7th session of Union Parliament begins. (Xinhua) Ethnic Affairs 1 July 2013 National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) takes decision to use public funds rather than expecting international aid, according to Speaker Shwe Mann. Budget for peace process is already included in President Thein Sein's special budget. (Eleven News Media) 2 July 2013  Lower House Speaker Shwe Mann calls for direct parliamentary involvement in the peace negotiations. Negative consequences could arise if agreements are not in accordance with law, he tells parliament. He also called a meeting of the National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) yesterday. (Irrawaddy) 3 July 2013  Senior Gen Min Aung Hlaing will be personally negotiating with Wa leaders to resolve the problems between the two sides, says UWSA justice department head Ai Lu. The message was conveyed through telephone yesterday, according to him. (DVB) 3 July 2013 KIO technical advisory team has arrived in Myitkyina to facilitate further talks between the two sides. It is led by Gawlu La Awng, Deputy Foreign Affairs and include Colonels Hkun Nawng, Sinwa and Dau Hka. It will be in direct contact with Myanmar Peace Center (MPC). (KNG) Shans/ Shan State 3 July 2013 GIZ, a German organization, will be approached to improve the tea plantation system in Shan State, says Palaung Tea Planters Association chairman U Tun Myaing. (Yangon Times) 5 July 2013 Sao Aung Myat, Shan State chief minister, says reports of tensions with UWSA are only speculations and that the situation is stable. (Irrawaddy) Human Rights 4 July 2013 Netizens are free, but not safe, says blogger activist Nay Phone Latt, calling for amendment to 2004 Electronic Transactions Act. (Mizzima) 4 July 2013 Lower House approve Printers and Publishers Registration bill submitted by information ministry. The ministry will maintain authority to issue licenses as well as revoking them. Press Council says the government has broken its promise. (Irrawaddy) |
| State charter draft in high demand as amendment process begins Posted: 14 Jul 2013 09:24 PM PDT  Cover: Shan State Constitution Drafting Commission (SSCDC) The government's easing on printed material, as well as on the screening of travelers criss-crossing the border also helps, according to a Lahu commissioner. "In the past, they just came to listen to our talks on the constitution on the Thai side of the border," she said. "But they always refused to carry any copies with them back. But now they are demanding more copies. On my last trip, they took back 16 Lahu version copies and 60 Burmese-English copies." Many who have read it say the Shan State draft, drawn out of the guideline that it must be a state practicing federalism, is serving dual purposes:
The Shan State constitution second draft can be read in SHAN's website as well as in Burma Library. The Union Assembly announced on 28 June the constitutional review body would be made up of 105 members: 52 Union Solidarity and Development party (USDP), 25 military appointed MPs and the rest from 18 other parties. The first SSCDC was elected on 11 September 2000, headed by Sao Sengsuk (1935-2007) and the second by Khuensai Jaiyen under a 9-point guideline laid down by the Shan State consultation in 2007:
|
| You are subscribed to email updates from Shan Herald Agency for News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.