Thursday, February 6, 2014

Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan assembly discusses independence versus federalism

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 06:08 AM PST

CHAING MAI- February 6. Independence versus federalism was one of the hot topics of discussion during the 3-day people's assembly, on February 3-5 at Loi Tai Leng, the headquarters of the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS).

People questioned the chairman of RCSS, Sao Yawd Serk, about RCSS's standpoint regarding total independence or federalism. Before the RCSS signed a ceasefire with Naypyitaw in late 2011, it had called for independence, but since 2011 after it signed a ceasefire with Naypyitaw, it changed from its policy from independence to right of self-determination and federalism.
The newly built statues of King Sao Hsur Khan Fa of the Mao Kingdom, on the right, and the late Sao Korn Jerng, the president of the Shan United Revolutionary Army on the left, at Loi Tai Leng. (Photo: SHAN)

In response to this, the chairman explained to people that independence was the right of Shan State as it was in the Panglong Agreement. However, in the past, the military regime did not give any opportunity for political dialogue so the RCSS called for independence.
However, since the new quasi-civilian government had begun for peace talks and was opening a space for political dialogue, the RCSS would solve the political conflict through political means.

"If this space is closed, then we will have no choice but to resume our legitimate aim," he said. He received a huge applause from the assembly.

The people at the assembly, including monks, laypeople, youth and teachers, are staying on at Loi Tai Leng to celebrate the 67th Anniversary of Shan State National Day, which falls on February 7.

Shan assembly discusses independence versus federalism

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 04:35 AM PST

CHAING MAI- February 6. Independence versus federalism was one of the hot topics of discussion during the 3-day people's assembly, on February 3-5 at Loi Tai Leng, the headquarters of the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS).

People questioned the chairman of RCSS, Sao Yawd Serk, about RCSS's standpoint regarding total independence or federalism. Before the RCSS signed a ceasefire with Naypyitaw in late 2011, it had called for independence, but since 2011 after it signed a ceasefire with Naypyitaw, it changed from its policy from independence to right of self-determination and federalism.
The newly built statues of King Sao Hsur Khan Fa of the Mao Kingdom, on the right, and the late Sao Korn Jerng, the president of the Shan United Revolutionary Army on the left, at Loi Tai Leng. (Photo: SHAN)

In response to this, the chairman explained to people that independence was the right of Shan State as it was in the Panglong Agreement. However, in the past, the military regime did not give any opportunity for political dialogue so the RCSS called for independence.

However, since the new quasi-civilian government had begun for peace talks and was opening a space for political dialogue, the RCSS would solve the political conflict through political means.

"If this space is closed, then we will have no choice but to resume our legitimate aim," he said. He received a huge applause from the assembly.

The people at the assembly, including monks, laypeople, youth and teachers, are staying on at Loi Tai Leng to celebrate the 67th Anniversary of Shan State National Day, which falls on February 7.

Yawdserk wants state-based political dialogue

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 04:33 AM PST

While it is all right to sign ceasefire separately, when it comes to political negotiations he would like to participate on a Shan State basis, according to Lt-Gen Yawdserk, Chairman of the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) who was speaking yesterday to 794 people representing 50 townships in Shan State at his base in Loi Taileng, opposite Thailand's Maehongson province.

"That is the reason the RCSS has not joined any alliances, past or present, that are organization-based," he said.

He was speaking on the last day of the 3-day reading of the Shan State draft constitution, organized by the Committee for Shan State Unity (CSSU), currently an alliance of RCSS/SSA, Shan State Joint Action Committee (SSJAC- a coalition of Shan Nationalities League for Democracy and Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army) Shan Nationalities Democratic Party and a number of Shan State-based Civil Society Organizations. The CSSU was formed on 15 October 2013. It is aiming to include all Shan State-based political parties, armed groups and CSOs in the near future.
3 day consultation on Shan State constitution, Loi Taileng, 3-5 February 2014 (Photo: SHAN)

"Once the political dialogue begins, we must have a set of common propositions," he elaborated. "That was why I had proposed during our previous meetings that a state constitution be drawn. When the draft is reviewed by all groups concerned and adopted, we should present it to the government as our common platform."

"Alone we don't speak for all," he added. "But together we can speak for all."

The meeting agreed that a state constitution is necessary if Burma is to become a federal union. Other resolutions included a 12 point guiding principle for the draft and that the present draft be further developed to embrace aspirations from the diverse peoples of Shan State.
The 12 guiding principles are:
  • Decentralized democratic administrative system
  • Sovereignty comes from the people of Shan State
  • Membership in a genuine federal union
  • Racial equality and protection of minorities and their rights
  • Promotion of fundamental human rights and gender rights
  • Multi-party democracy
  • Secular system
  • A state defense force
  • Independent state judiciary
  • Financial autonomy
  • The indigenous peoples of Shan State will live together forever
  • All natural resources in the land, water and airspace of Shan State belong to the people of Shan State
The following are excerpts from the suggestions of the participants:
  • The status of Self-Administered Zones (SAZs) where racial discrimination is practiced should be reconsidered
  • A secular system is okay as long as the status of Buddhism is safeguarded by law
  • A commentary should follow each draft when public consultations are held
The RCSS/SSA is not a member of the 12 member United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC). It has also sent its representative to the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT) formed at Laiza last November to negotiate with Naypyitaw for a nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA). It has however promised to become a signatory when it is ready.

The Shan State Constitution Commission (SSCDC), set up by both Shan and non-Shans since 2000, has also been in the drafting process. The difference is that the SSCDC has called for a federal structure for Shan State. Yawdserk says there is no fundamental difference between the two sides. "It has given the people of Shan State an opportunity to make a choice," he said.

Loi Tai Leng holds first public consultation on Shan State constitution

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 04:32 AM PST

CHIANG MAI- February 5. A three-day public consultation on the Shan State constitution, which began on February 3 at Loi Tai Leng, the headquarters of the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS),ended today.

At the consultation, about 800 people from 49 of the 55 townships in Shan State, were informed and explained about the Shan state constitution, which was drafted by a team of lawyers under the Committee for Shan State Unity (CSSU) that was formed in October last year.
Hundreds of people attending the first public consultation on the Shan State constitution at Loi Tai Leng, hosted by CSSU.

A member of the lawyers' team said, "The constitution is very important. Every state must have their own constitution, so the Shan State must have its own constitution."

Sao YawdSerk, the chairman of RCSS, gave an opening speech, saying that in the past people were not informed about and had no knowledge about the 1947 constitution, so that people were the victims of countless abuses.

At the end of the assembly, there was consensus that the lawyers' team should carry on drafting the 14 chapters of the constitution, under 12 guidelines.
Hundreds of people attending the first public consultation on the Shan State constitution at Loi Tai Leng, hosted by CSSU.

The CSSU was set up to work for the unity and development of all ethnic nationalities of Shan State, and for the realization of a genuine federation under a democratic system in Burma.

"Only RCSS or a single party cannot represent all the Shan State people, therefore the CSSU was formed," said Sao YawdSerk.

The CSSU's members include the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), the Shan State Joint Action Committee (SSJAC), and the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party, as well as 13 civil society organizations.
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