S.H.A.N. : STATEMENT ON THE S.H.A.N

[H.NG.P SPM" <100706.1311@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: S.H.A.N. : STATEMENT ON THE S.H.A.N. POLICY TOWARDS M.T.A.

S.H.A.N. : STATEMENT ON THE S.H.A.N. POLICY TOWARDS M.T.A.
January 5, 1996

The Shan Independence newspaper was started in 1973 under the auspices of
Kornzurng, who later became the President of the Shan State Restoration Council
(SSRC) before his death in 1991.

Up to 1991, the Independence was the official news organ of the SSRC. However,
in 1991, the decision was taken to let it be an independent publication, to
encourage people to exercise their freedom of expression. The following year,
another decision was made to stop subsidizing the newspaper by the SSRC, and to
let it subsist on patriots and outside agencies, and from payments for printing
miscellaneous publications.

The Shan Herald Agency for News ( S.H.A.N. ), formed in 1991, which publishes
the Independence, had until recently supported the Mong Tai Army despite its
negative reputation, because it was the only Shan Movement that remained opposed
to the SLORC. However, now that it has forsaken its original cause, there is no
reason for S.H.A.N. to continue its support.

We have therefore moved out of the Ho Mong base since 3 January 1996 to reside
in the neighboring country in order to continue our work, which we believe is in
the interests of all those who love FREEDOM, EQUALITY and JUSTICE. The S.H.A.N.
will continue to fight against ignorance, disunity and tyranny, because that is
the only way we can achieve united strength that will eventually overthrow the
oppressive regime.

The Editors
Shan Herald Agency for News
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