Shan Herald Agency for News

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Poppy surveyors beaten by govt militia Posted: 16 Jan 2014 08:57 PM PST Two surveyors visiting poppy fields in Namkham township's Mongwi tract were physically abused by members of the Burma Army run Panhsay People's Militia Force (PMF) on Sunday, 12 January, according to local sources. The two are Nai Tun Maung and Ant Kyaw. They were detained by the PMF at 14:00 after their 4 police escorts had left them, and questioned until 21:00 before release. "We have lodged a complaint with the authorities concerned, but have yet to see any results," one of the victims was quoted as saying. The two are reportedly among those officials that had recently completed a government run opium suppression course in Lashio. SHAN has tried to contact the PMF leaders for interview but failed to receive any response. The Panhsay PMF is led by Kyaw Myint aka Win Maung aka Li Yongqiang, who also occupies a seat in the Shan State Assembly. During the election campaign in 2010 he was reported to have promised the people "if he won he would permit people to grow opium for 5 years," according to a Palaung Women's Organization (PWO) report, "Still Poisoned" (2011).   Other Members of Parliament reported to be involved in drug production and trade, according to Shan Drug Watch 2012, include:    Liu Guoxi            National Assembly    Wilson Moe         National Assembly    Ho Xiaochang      People's Assembly    T. Hkun Myat       People's Assembly (he has denied personal involvement though the PMF                              he led is known as a major drug producer, transporter and protector)    Keng Mai            Shan State Assembly    Bai Xuoqian         Shan State Assembly    Myint Lwin           Shan State Assembly    Zhao Dechang     Shan State Assembly Opium production has increased during the current poppy season, especially in the north, according to sources in Shan State.

Naypyitaw negotiator: NCA should be simple Posted: 16 Jan 2014 08:55 PM PST According to a note jotted down by U Aung Min, President Thein Sein's "Minister Without Borders", last month, the widely anticipated Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) should be concise and simple, and not overly cluttered with excessive emphasis on the yet-to-come stages of the peace process. Representatives of UPWC and NCCT meeting on 29 December 2013 (Photo: Myanmar Peace Monitor) The note he had written on 1 December, a copy of which was received by SHAN, contains a 5 point outline: Cessation of hostilities Opening of Liaison offices Freedom of movement without arms Political Dialogue Re-endorsement of the agreements previously signed "What is easy has been made difficult by some people." He was quoted as saying. He didn't say which "people" although he has been known to be under considerable pressure from "within", according to close aides. He had already submitted his resignation 4 times to the President. "The President told him, 'If you resign, I will, too,'" recalled one. "And when he said, 'If I'm not allowed to resign, I'll go jump off a skyscraper,' the President shot back, 'Just go ahead. If you do it, I'll do it, too.' In the end, U Aung Min withdrew his resignation." One INGO resident, upon learning this, remarked, "It means there are spoilers among the government camp. Maybe they should consider bringing them on board." U Aung Min's stand seems to have been supported by at least one EAO: Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) that has endorsed a 10 point position on the NCA at its recently concluded annual meeting, 9-13 January, at its Loi Taileng base, opposite Maehongson province. Cessation of hostilities nationwide Opening of liaison offices Setting up of Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Committee Joint Military Code of Conduct (COC) Freedom of movement except in restricted areas and independent holding of public consultations Repeal of restrictive laws against EAOs Joint drafting of framework for political dialogue Holding of political dialogue Freedom for EAOs to engage in literary, culture, trade, agriculture and animal husbandry For suitable personages to sign the NCA (such as key military figures, outstanding international figures from UN, UK, USA, PRC and Thailand) The Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT) set up by EAOs in Laiza, Kachin State, during their first conference in late October is expected to finalize the NCA draft tomorrow. It will be submitted to the EAO Conference #2 to be held at the Karen National Union (KNU)-controlled Lewa aka Lawkhila camp, opposite Tak province's Thasongyang district, 20-22 January.

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