Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News

To Hopeland and Back (Part VIII)

Posted: 05 Mar 2014 06:28 AM PST

Day 2. 3 March 2014

Old days still learn new tricks

During breakfast, I was informed that Ta Hsarm Pu, the Pang crossing that leads into Kunpang (Pang Island), a strategic area that lies between the Pang and the Salween, was taken by the Burmese Army on 28 February. Without a fight, because the Burma Army, instead of fighting, had resorted to charm. It had reportedly asked the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) guarding the crossing to temporarily move out, white its troops were going across. And after the SSA had graciously complied, it simply took over the positions, where it has remained until now.

I couldn't decide whether I should cry or laugh, after the report was conveyed to me.
The highlight of the day is the press launch of the United States Institute for Peace (USIP)'s "Media and Conflict in Myanmar. Opportunities the media to advance peace", held in the hotel's dining room.

The presenter Stephen Gray, who had done a 6-month survey, said there has been a lot of "misinformation" and "misunderstanding" among the people. And the media has the opportunity to support peace by providing accurate and reliable information in a way that is understandable to them.

He suggested, among others, conflict sensitive training for journalists as well as government, CSO and ethnic leaders. He especially warned against online hate speech.

Then there was dinner attended by Shan State chief minister Sao Aung Myat and deputy union minister for information U Paik Htwe, who took trouble to shake hands with us, more than 100 of journalists and activists, before getting back to his table.

It was there I ran into old friends and new friends, among whom was Sao Haymar Thaike, one of the surviving daughters of Sao Shwe Thaike, Prince of Yawnghwe and the first President of the newly independent Union of Burma (1948-1952).

You can bet I had a good time and lose. Because I went to bed early, though a bit later than I usually do.

Ethnic media conference held in Shan State capital

Posted: 05 Mar 2014 06:24 AM PST

CHIANG MAI- March 5. SHAN in collaboration with Burma News International (BNI) held the second ethnic media conference in the Shan State capital Taunggyi. The conference started on March 4 and is scheduled to end on March 6, 2014.
Participants of the second ethnic media conference, in Shan State capital Taunggyi. (Photo: SHAN)

There were over 300 participants, including Shan State Chief Minister Sao Aung Myat, Deputy Minister of Information U Pike Htwe, and also political parties, civil society organizations and journalists from various agencies.

U Pike Htwe said, "The central government follows the constitution and provides freedom of expression; there is no more censorship. So far, there are over 300 journals registered and have got permits, and 9 journals in ethnic languages."

However, Sai Hark Khur, an ethnic reporter said, "Ethnic media do not have full freedom of expression. For instance, when registering, the news agency has to sign a paper, saying they take responsibility for every word in the newspaper or journal they publish.

Furthermore, the authorities ask for ethnic publications to be translated into Burmese for them."
Participants in discussion during a break. (Photo: SHAN)

According to BNI secretary Khin Maung Shwe, the conference was scheduled to discuss development of democratic media, women and media, and ethnic media.

The first ethnic media conference was held in Mawlamyine, Mon State, in April last year.

SSPP leaders in Naypyitaw, but attack at home

Posted: 05 Mar 2014 06:23 AM PST

CHIANG MAI- March 4. The Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army-North lost a strategic base while its leaders were attending a census meeting in Naypyitaw.

The Burma Army's Central Eastern Command in Kolam sent a letter to SSPP demanding that the SSA-N troops withdraw from Tar Hsarm Pu base, because the Burma Army would use that route. On February 27, the SSA withdrew from the base as demanded, but on February 28, the Burma Army seized and occupied the base.

An SSPP officer said, "The Burma Army sent a letter to us, demanding our troops withdraw from the base so that the Burma Army could use the route. Our high ranking officers at the headquarters believed that it was time to make peace and the Burma Army was sincere, but the Burma Army then deployed more troops and occupied our strategic base."
SSPP/SSA delegates meet Chief Peace Negotiator U Aung Min in Naypyitaw. (Photo: Hla Maung Shwe)

Additionally, he said: "We have sacrificed our lives to defend this base, but the Burma Army used the opportunity while our leaders were in Naypyitaw to pressure us. We did not get the green light to fire, so we withdrew from the base. We are really upset by losing this base."

According to SSPP spokesperson, Sai Hla "Tar Hsarm Pu base was like our backbone, where we collected transportation tax and mining tax, so we defended it with our lives in the past."

Tar Hsarm Pu is an economically and militarily strategic base of SSPP/SSA where it connects to its ally the United Wa State Army (UWSA).

Meanwhile the Burma Army has deployed more troops in SSPP-controlled areas and engaged in fierce fighting in Nong Keaw, from February 28 till March 1st 2014. The villagers in Nar Kew have fled into the jungle and villages nearby.

According to a villager at Nar Kew, dozens of Burmese soldiers were killed in the battle, because they were not familiar with the location, and many SSPP/SSA soldiers were injured.

About 1,000 soldiers have been deployed in SSPP/SSA controlled areas, reportedly in an operation named Shan Thit (Shan 1) under the command of Major Myint Aung from the 77th Light Infantry Division of Bago.
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