Shan Herald Agency for News |
- To Hopeland and Back: Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Committee Meets
- Day after election, Burma Army soldiers allegedly rob two civilians in Shan State
- Shan State Army-North: “I can’t talk now—they are bombing us”
| To Hopeland and Back: Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Committee Meets Posted: 10 Nov 2015 03:50 AM PST From 29-31 October, the Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Committee (JMC) members from both sides met at the Myanmar Peace Center (MPC) on Shweli Lane off 4 Wisara Road, Rangoon. My job is to render assistance and advice when the EAO's representatives—particularly those from the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army-South (RCSS/SSA-S)—need it. As my time is running out, this is obviously the only thing I can do.
Wednesday, 28 October 2015 The wise knows fire is dangerous and avoids it. The fool meanwhile thinks With his fool's luck, he may find a way to harness it. Anonymous Today, I'm leaving for Rangoon. The day begins with breaking news all over the Internet of the US-China naval confrontation in the Spratly Islands, where a US destroyer has sailed within the 12-nautical mile boundary around an artificial island built by China. The incident coincides with an invitation from the Panghsang-based (Pangkham) United Wa State Party/Army (UWSP/UWSA) to ten non-NCA (Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement) signatories for a "summit" on 1-3 November. The two main topics will be the November 8 elections and the peace process in its aftermath. Prior to the invitation, on September 4, Panghsang issued a statement which, in essence, declared it would not be a signatory, as it had already promised China's Yunnan government that it would sign only if Naypyitaw agreed to "inclusiveness," meaning not leaving out any group, especially the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), better known as the Kokang armed group. Before the JMC meeting, the EAOs hold a pre-meeting from 19:00-21:30 at the Green Hill Hotel, where they also are staying for the duration. Maj. Gen. Isaac Po of the Karen National Union (KNU) is chosen to deliver an opening remark tomorrow. Leading discussants will be Padoh Ta Do Moo (KNU) and Dr Sui Khar (CNF). Apart from the Military Code of Conduct (CoC) and Terms of Reference (TOR) for the JMCs, there are other topics, like confirmation of the JMC-Union level, the signed copies of the NCA yet to be received, and the parliamentary ratification of the NCA at the earliest date possible.  Kwe Htoo Win of the KNU (Photo: The Irrawaddy) Ta Do Moo, like Kwe Htoo Win, is a great asset for the EAOs with his expertise in the subject and his experience gained during the two-year-long NCCT-UPWC (Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team-Union Peacemaking Working Committee) negotiations. Dr Sui Khar also is an indispensable negotiator with his great sense of humor and resourcefulness. "If there are ten Chins like him," remarked one of the MPC officials, "there will be no need for us Burmans to run the country." Thursday, 29 October 2015 One who is good at martial arts overcomes others' forces without battle. From The Art of Warby Sun Tzu, Ch. 3 The JMC-Union Level's first meeting starts with opening speeches: · "The government will strictly honor the promise made in the NCA." (U Khin Maung Soe, government's chair) · "Sun Tzu says 'To win without fighting is best'. To do it requires winning the hearts of the people on the other side. Only then genuine peace can be achieved." (Maj. Gen. Isaac Po, EAOs' chairman) The day's accomplishment is the agreement on the Military Code of Conduct (CoC) draft presented by the EAOs, thanks especially to Ta Do Moo and the government's Lt-Gen. Ye Aung, both veterans of the two-year-long NCA negotiations. It should be noted here that on the government's side, the latter is the only old hand. Others are either newcomers or were passive participants during the NCA negotiation days. Whereas others are hesitant, he is forthright. He compares the CoC draft with Ch. 3 (Ceasefire related matters) and Ch. 4 (Maintaining and strengthening the ceasefire) of the NCA and on finding no disparities, he just says, "This point should go ahead." The rest just agree with him. The day's session is followed by the daily press conference and interviews. I remember being asked why there are non-signatory groups, if the NCA is just fine as it is. My answer: "This is the classic example of the half-full/half-empty glass of water metaphor. The signers think it's half-full and the non-signers think it's half-empty."
From 19:00-21:00, the EAOs hold a review session of the day. Two of the topics that take up the bulk of the time are: · Whether or not to accept the government's proposal that the JMC-Union's formation be published in the government's official gazette. Some of the leaders think it's a good idea, making it more binding. The others are not sure. In the end, it is decided to refer the decision-making to the planned summit in November. · How to form the JMC-State/Region (JMC-S) level. With smaller states, the government's proposal that the EAOs' JMC-S deal directly with the corresponding regional command of the Burma Army isn't a problem. However with three EAOs, there are questions to be answered: 1. The Arakan Liberation Party/Army (ALP/ALA) wants to know why there will be no JMC-S for the Arakan/Rakhine State. The government says it hasn't been fighting enough to warrant a JMC. So what should they do to make it worth it? 2. The KNU's armed wing—the KNLA (Karen National Liberation Army)—is spread out in areas under two regional commands: the Southeast and Coastal. Does it mean that the KNLA forces should regroup inside the area operated by one of the regional commands? 3. The same goes for the RCSS, whose SSA-S operates in some 19 townships in Shan State in areas under four regional commands of the Burma Army. It is clear it will not agree to regroup in one single area. Then comes the shock. I'm named as the opening remarks speaker for tomorrow. I ask them whether it's appropriate, as I'm not a member of any EAO. They say not being a member should be the best reason. I accept it —reluctantly. I later spend some time trying to think of what t say. That's how I fall asleep. By SAI KHUENSAI / Director of Pyidaungsu Institute and Founder of Shan Herald Agency for News (S.H.A.N) The views expressed are the author's own. | ||||
| Day after election, Burma Army soldiers allegedly rob two civilians in Shan State Posted: 10 Nov 2015 12:57 AM PST Burma Army soldiers allegedly robbed two civilians on a roadside in Kesi Township yesterday, according to a representative from the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD).  Sai Hark Khur, a member of the SNLD leadership in Kesi Township, told SHAN that the two local men were robbed after returning from a market at around noon near Wiang Gao village tract in Kesi's Mong Nong sub-township. "They were coming from Mong Hsu Township, where they were selling their cows and buffalos," said Sai Hark Khur. The soldiers allegedly stopped the men's car and instructed them at gunpoint to move away from their vehicle; Sai Lu, one of the victims, said that the soldiers were armed. The soldiers then searched the vehicle; when Sai Lu and his friend—who wished to remain anonymous—returned to the car and were given permission to leave, they allegedly noticed that 3,000,000 kyats (over $2,300 USD) were missing. Sai Lu reported the theft to community leaders, and together they went to the local military base to report the crime there. But the authorities refuted the allegations. "Their commander said they didn't have those two soldiers in the base," said a community member, who also wished to remain anonymous. The case was then reported to the SNLD office in Mong Nong. At the time of reporting, they were still searching for the alleged perpetrators. One day earlier, Burma held its first general election in 25 years. SHAN also reported that on the same day, Burma Army soldiers shot two civilians in Kesi Township. The victims are now being treated at a local hospital in Taunggyi District. By SAI AW / Shan Herald Agency for News (S.H.A.N) | ||||
| Shan State Army-North: “I can’t talk now—they are bombing us” Posted: 10 Nov 2015 12:15 AM PST An official in the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army-North (SSPP/SSA-N) reported a Burma Army attack from the air near their headquarters in Wan Hai, in central Shan State's Kesi Township, at 10 a.m. this morning. The source said three helicopters from Military Operation Command No. 2—known locally as Za Ka Ka—dropped bombs on the outskirts of Wan Hai. At the time of reporting, it could not be confirmed if anyone was injured or killed in the attack, which is allegedly ongoing.
When SHAN contacted SSPP/SSA-N representative Lt.-Col. Sai Kham Htee for further information, the sound of rapid gunfire interrupted the conversation over the phone. "I can't talk now—they are bombing us," he said before the line cut. The incident was allegedly a continuation of shelling and shooting in neighboring Mong Hsu Township and Kesi's Mong Nong sub-township, which began last night. "Yesterday the Burma Army soldiers came into the village and shot guns into the houses. They have continued it today. Now we are saying in a bunker," said Sai Awn, one of the locals who is now in hiding. It is standard practice for Shan villagers in conflict zones to build underground bunkers to which they can flee when fighting erupts. Today's attack occurred two days after Burma's November 8 national election. "This kind of action makes the people not want to pay attention to the election results," said Sai Lek, a spokesperson for the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD). "It will create a problem for unity amongst the ethnic groups and also for building a nation." No parties were able to contest the election in Kesi and Mong Hsu, where the Union Election Commission (UEC) cancelled voting, claiming that the ongoing conflict created unfavorable conditions for polling to take place. Fighting in central Shan State has been ongoing since October 6. Near the end of last month, civilians evacuated Wan Hai due to shelling by government forces, adding to the 6,000 civilians now displaced in the region. Most are staying in monasteries and temporary shelters with little aid. Last week, SHAN also reported that schools have been closed in the conflict areas. "Students cannot go to school. On the street it is very quiet. Everyone stays in their houses," said Mong Hsu resident Nang Kham. This is the second incident of military violence in central Shan State reported in as many days; yesterday, while leaving their farmland, two civilians—including one child—were shot by Burma Army soldiers in Mong Nong, Kesi Township. By SIMMA FRANCIS / (Shan Herald Agency for News / S.H.A.N) Reporting by SAI YIPHONG / (Shan Herald Agency for News / S.H.A.N) |
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