Mon Information Service 14.4.1995

[ojasti@xxxxxxxxxx]

**********************************************************************

Mon Information Service Update, April 14 1995


1. April 12-14 celebration of Songkran Festival in Mon communities.

2. Teachers Training Program.

3. Negotiations between Slorc and NMSP.

4. Proposed for genuine Peace Talk...

5. Co-ordination Committee for Mon Unity League.

6. Fightings.

7. NMSP denied ambush Thai police.

8. Another deceit of self-rule.

*******************************************************************

1. APRIL 12-14 DELEBRATION OF SONGKRAN FESTIVAL.

April 12-14 is an occasion for merrymaking in Mon communities. In
Thailand, where the residence of Thai Mons, such as Patumthani, Phra
Pradaeng, Bankradee, Samutsakhorn, Ratchburi and Nonthaburi provin-
cies celebrated traditional Songkran Festival, merrymaking and Happy
New Year of Buddhist.

**************************************************

2. TEACHERS4 TRAINING PROGRAM.

A number of young Mon teachers are gathering at Thai Burma border to
attend a teachers4 training course which will start in mid April.
About 50 young teachers from rural area of Mon State will atend and
the course will last for 6 weeks. There are a large number of Slorc4s
military bases in the Mon State but very few schools.

*************************************************

3. NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN SLORC AND NMSP.

Slorc and NMSP ( New Mon State Party ) faced deadlock after 3 rounds
of talks in 1994. Slorc offered 12 places for stationing of Mon Nati-
onal Liberation Army, each one is 5 sqm in size. NMSP has agreed no-
thing with Slorc but keeps the window open for genuine peace negoti-
ation with Slorc. The NMSP has gained not much support from the Thai
Mons because its objective is just for federal state. The inclination
of many Thai Mon is the absolute Monland or Republic of Raman.

*************************************************

4. PROPOSED FOR GENUINE PEACE TALK...

Representing New Mon State Party ( NMSP ) , Mon Information Service
( MIS ) proposed through His Excellency Thai Foreign Minister, before
his two day visit to Yangon on April 7-8 1995 , that for the genuine
peace and democracy of the whole country, Burma, :
	(1) The negociation should be tripartite, comprising State Law
	    and Order Restoration Council ( SLORC ), the elected MPs
	    with the lead of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and National Demo-
	    cratic fron ( NDF ) representing ethnic nationalities.
	(2) The negociation should take place at neutral area.
	(3) The negociation should have a judge or chairperson and
	    observers.

************************************************ 

5. CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE FOR MON UNITY LEAGUE.

After a four day seminar on Mon affairs, February 23-26, it was decided
to form " Mon Unity League" with the aim of national unity. The Mon
Unity League ( MUL ) will consist of representatives of various Mon
national organizations and intellects from various sections. This 
league will be law-maker for Mon national affairs. Prior to that, a
co-ordination committee is set up to carry out the works until the
MUL is formed. The committee has 9 members, 3 from Monland, 3 from
NMSP and other 3 from overseas Mon. Nai Tin Aung ( NMSP in charge
of foreign affairs ) was appointed as chairman and Nai Janaman
( Oversea Mon, MIS international co-ordinator ) as secretary of the
committee.

************************************************

6. FIGHTINGS.

On April 5, 1995 there was a unintentional shooting between SLORC
and Mon armed forces. It took place about 4 miles southwest of Three
Pagoda Pass, 3 Mons were wounded and one SLORC soldier was shot down
and 2 wounded. Then, on April 6-7 there were some fightings in Yebyu
Township, but no casuatly was informed.

*****************************************************

7. NMSP DENIED AMBUSH THAI POLICE.

Two Thai border patrol were wounded as an unidentified armed group
ambushed them on April 5 1995. The NMSP has clarified that the 
troop was not under their command. There are several armed groups
active in the area along the gas pipeline project. Recently 5 members
of the natural gas survey team were shot down and 11 were wounded.
It in not clear who may be responsible. Previously Slorc compelled
local villagers to bring the materials for the construction of 
slave labor camp in Pyingi village, Kanbauk Township.

******************************************************

8. ANOTHER DECEIT OF SELF RULE.

SLORC4s National Constitution agreed on April 7, 1995 to grant self
administered status to six minority groups. It said, these ethnic
groups are living in regions dominated by larger minority groups.
Naga would have 3 townships in northwestern Burma, Wa 6 townships
in the northeast, Paoh 3 townships and Danu, Kokang and Palaung
each has 2 townships. SLORC often claims that there are 135 eth-
nic groups in Burma. What happened, within Karen National SLORC
divided into 5 groups.  Divide and conquer seems to be the 
strategy to be used by dictatorial, brutal, oppressive and un-
legitimate government

************************************* END *****************