Greetings from S.H.R.F and S.H.A.N.

[shan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Golden Jubilee 50th Anniversary of Independence 
Greetings
( 4 January 1998 )

	Fifty years ago this day, 4 January, Burma, Shan States, together with
other Non-Burman regions under the British crown, established a new
independent political entity, officially known as the Union of Burma 
 
	The basis on which this association was formed was the Panglong Agreement
signed a year earlier, on 7 February 1947. The main terms of the treaty
were: Right of self-determination, democracy and human rights for all. "Full
autonomy", "noninterference" in the internal affairs of the states by the
central government, and "financial autonomy" were the terms of incorporation. 

	The second basis of the Union -- the direct result of the Panglong
Agreement -- was the Union Constitution, which was ratified on 24 September
1947 which guaranteed the right of Non-Burmans to leave the Union after ten
years. This is the right recognized by Aung San. 

	However, since the military came into power in 1962, the Panglong
Agreement, the Union Constitution and the hopes they inspired are no more.
Although the Union is spoken of, it no longer exist. There is instead a
dictatorship worse than British colonialism and Japanese fascism. 

	Independence has been replaced by enslavement. We have since 1962 therefore
been engaged in a struggle for second independence. 

	The first one was achieved through Panglong, the Union Constitution and a
sense of equality and magnanimity. How this second one is going to be
achieved is the question for all of us to consider. But one thing is clear.
We cannot afford to prolong the suffering of our people.  We must all get to
work to gain what our people have aspired to and hope for: freedom,
equality, harmony, peace, and prosperity. 

	Greetings to all.

S.H.A.N
Shan Herald Agency for News

S.HR.F
Shan Human Rights Foundation