Shan Herald Agency for News

---

Back to Shan Shine (12-15 February 2014) Posted: 17 Feb 2014 09:11 PM PST Day Two: Nominees, not candidates (13 February 2014) The "election" today was a disappointment, because all the 5 candidates withdrew their candidacies at the last minute, after citing their reasons for doing so. One, of course, was that they were nominated by the Election Commission (EC) only8 days earlier. Not one of them had shown interest in grabbing the chairman's office. Election in Loi Taileng (Photo: CH 7) As for other reasons, those that were enunciated by Vice Chairman #1 Maj Gen Sai Yi, 57, are quite noteworthy: My fragile health. I'm afraid I'll just make myself one more burden to the cause, instead of relieving it My past relations with the Burmese government have not been exemplary. I'm afraid my presence may even get in the way of the peace process and hurt the struggle of the people Relations with neighboring countries. That is also something that I have never had any experience. Raising funds. I'm even finding it hard trying to make ends meet for my family. Let alone supporting an organization this big Well, they all had ample reasons for backing down, but of course many of us couldn't help feeling we were being cheated out of an election, no matter what the outcome was. They all followed their public disclaimers by recommending that Sao Yawdserk, who had earlier rejected his nomination, continue to serve as chairman for the third time. Their recommendation was eventually put to a vote and the result, to no one's surprise, was a foregone conclusion: Ayes     147 Noes     1 Invalid    51 Gen Yawdserk, during his acceptance speech, asked the conference: "Are you not afraid I will lead you to surrender?" After the conference's response was overwhelmingly "No", he promised, "Whatever I do, it will be for the good of the movement and the people and for upholding our basic principles." Sao Yawdserk (Photo: CH 7) He also promised that he would not stand for the next election. "Whoever is going to lead us, he (or she) must not only able to think and talk, but also do it," he said. "But by 2018, I may be able to think and talk, but not do it."  He counseled that civilians are also made eligible for the office. One other interesting item of the meeting was the 4 year report, November 2009-October 2013, of the RCSS/SSA under his leadership. Here are the excerpts: Recruits Volunteers      760 Draftees         4,194 Clashes 323 times Enemy casualties 436 wounded 431 killed (Nothing said about SSA's own casualties) Treatment of drug addicts 1,084 treated 81 still under treatment Motor vehicles in Loi Taileng base Automobiles    35 Motorbikes    233 Expenditures Approx. $ 50 million If the reader have any questions concerning, allow me to say I do have them too. But there wasn't any opportunity or time to ask.

Back to Shan Shine (12-15 February 2014) Posted: 17 Feb 2014 09:10 PM PST Day One: All eyes on Loi Taileng (12 February 2014) Loi Taileng means Shan Shine mountain. I was there the first time in February 2000, a few months after it had been established. It was cold, windy and humid all year round at that time. I once made the mistake of leaving my bedding uncovered by a plastic sheet as they did there at that time. When I got back in the evening I found it sodden, almost waterlogged. Luckily, they had spare blankets, so I had no trouble getting a good night sleep. It is less colder now and a lot less damper but still windy and dustier. Luckily (again), they have better accommodations, so the nights are quite pleasant there. There are three military checkpoints along the 31km gravel road that branches off from the Maehongson-Chiangmai highway near Pang Mapha. I remember they used to be strict and fussy about wayfarers even though there are several Thai villages along the road. But since the ceasefire between the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) signed late 2011, I was told by my driver they have become a lot easygoing. Indeed, questions asked by the soldiers have become mere routine, and a lot less about security. But I remember also that when I went to visit the Karen National Union (KNU) across the border last month, there were no checkpoints along the way that stopped the vehicle I was in to question us. The fruits of ceasefire, I thought to myself. What more to expect if peace is achieved. Two monks who were on a visit called on me before dinner to discuss about the role of state constitutions in a federal union. The discussion inevitably led on to political science, a subject they showed keen interest. I counseled that for Buddhist monks who want to study political since the Digha Nikaya scripture is said to be the best. They seemed to be surprised upon hearing that, probably because the remark was made by a layman. Later, I met Chairman Sao Yawdserk who informed me that at least part of the Burmese military appeared to think that tomorrow's election of a new chairman was a trick by him to either upset or derail the peace process. "Well, the reality, contrary to what they think, is that it is time for us to have more leaders who are able to carry on with the peace process even if I'm not around," he remarked. He also told me of a report by a reliable source that Naypyitaw (or part of it) did not want to implement the joint agreement on the crop substitution project signed in October 2012. "They seem to be afraid they will have to share any credit that results from the project with us," he said. "How are we going to build a lasting union with that kind of attitude?" I asked. He didn't answer. But his smile was enough for me.

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