Shan Herald Agency for News |
- Muse residents protest People’s Militia plans to tax pier users
- To Hopeland and Back: The 28th trip
- To Hopeland and Back: The 28th trip
| Muse residents protest People’s Militia plans to tax pier users Posted: 19 Apr 2017 02:03 AM PDT Some 300 local residents staged a demonstration in Muse Township on Tuesday to protest a plan by the Namkham-based Myoma People's Militia to take control of a pier at a river crossing in the village of Nong Kho.
According to village headman Sai Soi, about 300 residents gathered in Nong Kho, which lies between the strategic towns of Muse and Namkham in northern Shan State, to voice their opposition to the militia's moves to supervise the pier on the Mao River also known as Shweli River. "This jetty has been used for many generations. It was built about 100 years ago with wood," he said. "Now the Myoma People's Militia group is planning to rebuild it from metal and then collect taxes from those who cross the river [by boat]." Sai Soi said that the militia didn't discuss details with local people, but it was clear that they intended to move their men in when construction is complete. "They used guns to scare us when they started rebuilding the pier," he added. "That's why we have come out to protest. We strongly disagree with their operations. We just want things to stay as they are." On April 4, ten representatives from Nong Kho met with leaders of the Myoma People's Militia. Sai Soi said the villagers requested that no taxes be collected from local people at the pier. However, the militia group reportedly replied that they had invested much in the pier, so they had to collect taxes to repay that. The Myoma People Militia is a splinter group from its former allies the Panhsay Militia, led by Lao Sam. Both are backed by the Burmese army. By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN) | |||||||||||||||||
| To Hopeland and Back: The 28th trip Posted: 19 Apr 2017 01:05 AM PDT Day Three. Wednesday, 29 March 2017 Diplomatic means can transform the smallness of a state into an asset. (Anonymous) Does anyone know which EAOs (otherwise ANSAs meaning armed non-state actors, as Geneva Call calls them) have signed the deed of commitment (DoC) for child protection?
But why should we sign when, for instance, we've learned from the American history that thousands of young boys under 18 served in both the Revolution and the War between the States? The answer is that the world's attitude has changed since, and signing these DoCs is one way the ANSAs can outreach the world as (more or less) legitimate actors. Because they need all the support they can get to win their cause. The Geneva Call meanwhile is holding several discussions and workshops with other EAOs/ANSAs, including the RCSS/SSA and DKBA. The next item on the agenda is the update on the ongoing peace process since November 2016, when the 8thLiaison Officers Conference was held. From one of the three updators, I have learned the following: § We say we haven't got enough. Meanwhile, the government-military bloc is saying they've conceded more than necessary  § Us signatories say, "We are speaking for the non-signatories." The government thinks we've been demanding more, after holding meetings with the non-signatories. But some of the non-signatories are still calling us traitors. It seems we are being trampled upon by both sides. § We are facing difficulties implementing the NCA. (Some have advised that one big reason is the difference in the interpretation of the NCA and the bilateral agreements, which therefore calls for a thorough review of them.) § Non signatories say we are not sticking to the Tripartite Dialogue stance that was adopted at the 1994 UN General Assembly: The military government, the non-Burman ethnic movements, and the NLD led democratic opposition. Well, if they look only at the Union Peace Conference 21st Century Panglong (CPU 21 CP), their argument may be correct. As representatives are from the following 7 categories: government, legislature, military, EAOs, political parties, other ethnicities, and relevant representatives. But, if they look deeper, they'll find that the decisions are made at the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC), which is comprised of 16 representatives each from the government-legislature-military bloc, the EAO bloc and the political parties bloc. (Which begs another question: Does it mean the UPC 21CP is just a showpiece?) Then come the reports on yesterday's exercise on the challenges the liaison offices are facing and how they are dealing with them. The following are excerpts: § Common challenges include: land confiscations, drugs—widespread availability and additions, supply and financial shortages faced by signatories since the new government took office and increasing government development projects along the adjoining areas, among others "The previous government had established one stop service (OSS) mechanism to help deal with our problems," explains one. "But that mechanism has gone along with U Thein Sein's administration. And the new institutions set up by the new government are not functioning quite as well." § At the same time, there are some success stories too, when the EAO liaison officers enjoy cordial relations with the local authorities and Tatmadaw units. "It is not only our side that needs help to tackle problems," says one woman officer. "The government side also needs us too. And when we are able to help them resolve their problems, it makes it easier for us to ask for their help in dealing with ours. Mutual recognition and respect are things that come through hard work and sacrifice." § "All in all," concludes CPCS's Richard Smith, who moderates the exercise, "there are some significant successes, but many problems still exist. And we need to sit down together to plan." One idea that comes out of it (and approved on the next day) is to form two levels of self-management. According to it, the EBO from now on will be responsible only for the support side. The management part from now on will be handled entirely by 2 Liaison Offices Coordination Committees, one top level and the other lower level. The first level will be made up of one chief liaison officer from each EAO (10-11) and the second of one liaison officer from each liaison office (33). At dinner time, I sat with one of the young officers from the RCSS/SSA. She tells us it was her uncle who had introduced her to the group. "At first, I thought I would be working only for a few months. But now I've been there for over a year." "Why?" "Because I like the work I'm doing for the people." I hope all the liaison officers at the conference are like her. (To be continue) | |||||||||||||||||
| To Hopeland and Back: The 28th trip Posted: 19 Apr 2017 12:51 AM PDT (27 March-1 April 2017)  First OBSERVE, Then SERVE Linda K. Burton (1952) This trip came about after I was invited to participate in the 9th Liaison Officers Conference that was held in Taunggyi, 28-30 March. Since the liaison offices were established following government-initiated bilateral ceasefire agreements with 15 EAOs, this was my first opportunity to attend and learn. As always, whatever I've learned, its yours. Day One. Monday, 27 March 2017 Where the wind blows too hard, the trees gotta bend. The Hanging Tree (1959) Just before I leave for the airport, I have a call from a friend. He tells me that some of the leaders that attended the Third (Wa-hosted) Pang Kham Summit, 22-24 February, are now uttering their misgivings. "(name of leader) had thought that Beijing was 100% on the Wa side when he went to Panghsang (Pang-Kham's former name)," he says. "But now that it's clear the Chinese envoy Mr Sun Guoxiang wants them to sign the NCA, telling them the consequences they will face if they don't (there are some details which I prefer not to dwell upon), (name of leader) doesn't feel sure anymore." Then comes an email message from China that has been keeping track of the United Wa State Army (UWSA). Yesterday it had released a statement by Mr Sun Guoxiang, special envoy for Asian Affairs in Chinese on 14 March. Why it had done only yesterday, not earlier, begs for a question. But to simple people like me, it is certainly an eye-opener. Here is the translation of excerpts from Mr Sun's address by a Chinese friend who has never failed to pull me out of scrapes: Released by the UWSA information department on 26 March 
We want the UWSA to sign the NCA, while keeping reservations about some terms.  At 19:00 in the evening, I conclude the day at the dining room in Taunggyi's Royal Star Hotel with Victor Biaklian from Euro Burma Office (EBO) and new friends from Siem Reap based Center for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPCS), who will co-host the conference. I regret to report Dr Emma Leslie, the CPCS founder, isn't among them. Someone tells me that the State Counselor wasn't able to attend today's Tatmadaw Day parade. "Well, the path to peace and reconciliation is strewn with a lot of hurdles and disappointments, isn't it so?," he muses. Day Two. Tuesday, 28 March 2017 Powerful states need no ambassadors. Their force speaks for them. For small states, it matters how they express themselves. Albert Einstein (1879-1955) 118 representatives from 10 EAOs that have signed bilateral ceasefire agreements meet this morning at the 4th floor of the hotel. The 10 are:
According to the organizers, SSPP is the only newcomer. The rest including the New Mon State Party (NMSP) which fails to turn up this time, have been regular faces at each previous conference. 4 others: Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) and the United Wa State Army (UWSA) are said to be regular absentees. U Linn Htut, Shan State Chief Minister, somehow fails to make his appearance also. So the Conference is opened by Ms Rachana Thummala, CPCS project officer, followed by opening remarks from Victor and myself. I think I would be at a loss if I hadn't stumbled upon the Diplomacy Manual published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) before I came away. I had gone through it and have been struck by the fact that the mission and duties of the liaison officers are identical to those of the ambassadors, though at a different level, which are:
"You are ambassadors at a local level," I tell them, or try to. "Whether peace is to be achieved sooner or later depends a lot on your skill and devotion." (Liaison officers later inform me that they have better understanding on the importance of their mission after hearing me.) Here are excerpts from inputs by others:
An exercise to identify common challenges and how they are overcome follows. Here are the three food-for-thought remarks I overhear from the participants at work:
(Note: By-elections will be held on 1 April and support from EAOs are being sought out by competing parties)
In the afternoon, the CPCS has a book launch. The report, "Peace is living with dignity:  The topics discussed include land, drugs, livelihood, environmental concerns, and taxation, among others. It can be found in the PDF form on the website. Here's one quote that should draw attention from any reader who's concerned about the country's welfare: One positive change is that we can now use the Kachin national flag publicly. Before, it was very dangerous if we were found with the Kachin National flag. Midde aged Kachin man from Hpakant township As for the report on today's exercise, it will be tomorrow, says an organizer. (To be continued) |
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