ETHNIC NATIONALITIES SEMINAR
(MAE THA RAW HTA)
ETHNIC NATIONALITIES SEMINAR STATEMENT
We, the ethnic nationalities of the Union of Burma held a seminar from January 7 to 14, 1997 at Mae Tha Raw Hta in the base area of the Karen National Union (KNU). The seminar was attended by 111 delegates and observers from the ethnic nationality organizations mentioned below.
1. Karenni National Progressive Party
(KNPP)
2. Pa-O People's Liberation Organization (PPLO)
3. Wa National Organization (WNO)
4. United Wa State Party (UWSP)
5. Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF)
6. Kachin Independence Organization (KIO)
7. All-Arakan Students and Youth Congress (AASYC)
8. Lahu Democratic Front (LDF)
9. New Mon State Party (NMSP)
10. Arakan Liberation Party (ALP)
11. Kayan New Land Party (KNLP)
12. Shan United Revolutionary Army (SURA)
13. Chin National Front (CNF)
14. Shan Democratic Union (SDU)
15. Karen National Union (KNU)
16. Special guests of various nationalities.
At the seminar we, the participants, earnestly discussed and deliberated upon the important issues, namely, internal peace, democracy, rights or national equality and self-determination for the ethnic nationalities and establishment of a genuine federal union, which are the principle political problems.
In the deliberation, we determined that since the time of independence in 1948, successive regimes in power have violated the right to "equality of all citizens irrespective of race," as provided for in Panglong Agreement. Armed subjugation by successive regimes, practising racial chauvinism, for the last 49 years, has been a disastrous experience of suffering, unprecedented in history, for the ethnic nationalities. Brutal suppression of the ethnic nationalities by armed might is still continuing.
The Union of Burma still lacks peace and stability. The refusal of the Slorc to resolve the questions of the rights of the nationalities and democratic freedom, which are the two principle political problems, has raised tensions and worsened the situation in the country, day by day. Accordingly, we unanimously adopted and affirmed the resolutions as follows.
1. We are resolved to carry out democratic changes in accordance with the will of the people of Burma and to establish a genuine federal union based on the equality and self-determination of nationalities, in accordance with the will of the ethnic nationalities.
2. We demand the dissolution of the Slorc's sham National Convention and the holding of a Tri-partite Dialogue comprised of representatives of the Slorc, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and pro-democracy forces, and the ethnic nationalities, for the resolution of political problems by political means.
3. We demand that the Slorc cease its military operations and oppression against the ethnic nationalities and other resistance organizations, while effort are being made to resolve the principle political problems of the country by political means.
4. We demanded the postponement of the acceptance of Burma as a member of Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) until there is positive political change. We request that all foreign investment be withdrawn from Burma and that there be no new investment until this change occurs.
5. We are resolved to oppose the Slorc's sham programs of narcotic eradication and cooperate with international narcotic eradication agencies and organizations.
6. We ardently support the people's movement led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for democracy and the dismantling of the military dictatorship.
7. We are resolved to strengthen the
country-wide coalition body of the ethnic nationalities, the National Democratic
Front (NDF), so as to make it strong on all sides and at the same time, to raise
the level of mutual understanding support and cooperation between the ethnic
nationalities and pro-democracy forces.
January 15, 1997
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ETHNIC NATIONALITIES SEMINAR
(Mae Tha Raw Hta)
Mae Tha Raw Hta Agreement
We, leaders of Arakanese, Chin, Kachin, Karen Karenni, Mon, Pa-O, Palaung, Lahu, Shan and Wa ethnic nationalities,
representing the various organizations as well as the nationalities, attended the seminar held from January 7 to 14, 1997 at
Mae Tha Raw Hta in Kawthoolei.
We, leaders of nationalities mentioned above, after frank and cordial discussions in depth, have agreed upon the following terms.
1. Agreement relating to Political Aims
(a) To dismantle the military dictatorship and establish peace n the country;
(b) To practice the democratic political system;
(c) To achieve the rights of equality and self-determination for each and every nationality;
(d) To establish a federal union.
2. Agreement Concerning the SLORC's National Convention
The sham National Convention being held by the SLORC, presently, is for the perpetuation of military dictatorship. Since
absolutely no rights will be gained for the ethnic nationalities, we, the Ethnic Nationalities Seminar, do not in any way
recognize the SLORC's National Convention and agree to oppose it.
3. Agreement Regarding Tri-partite Dialogue
We, the Ethnic Nationalities Seminar, accept the tri-partite dialogue agreed to by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and called for by the resolutions of the UN and international organizations. The tri-partite dialogue must include three forces, namely the force composed of the National Democratic Front (NDF), Union Nationalities League for Democracy (UNLD), Peace and Democratic Front (PDF) and other ethnic nationalities, the Pro-democracy forces led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and the SLORC military clique.
4. Agreement Relating to Federal Union
We, the Ethnic Nationalities Seminar, unanimously agree to establish a genuine federal union composed of national states
having the full rights of national equality and self-determination.
5. Agreement Relating to Economic Policy
Regarding the economic policy, we, the Ethnic Nationalities Seminar, agree to practice a market economic system and invite foreign investments.
However, as foreign investments, at present, are benefiting the SLORC military dictatorship only and increasing its oppressive power, we strongly object to them.
6. Agreement Relating to Narcotic Drugs
We, the Ethnic Nationalities Seminar, unanimously agree to cooperate with international narcotic drug eradication
organizations for the eradication of the entire business of narcotic drugs, including cultivation, production and trafficking.
7. Agreement Regarding Pro-democracy Forces
We, the Ethnic Nationalities Seminar, agree to raise the fight, on all sides, in the fields of politics, diplomacy and people's
action, for the dismantling of the SLORC military dictatorship.
In this struggle, we agree also to join hands with pro-democracy forces led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and act unitedly and simultaneously for the achievement of rights of the nationalities as well as democratic rights.
Moreover, we acknowledge the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as the winner of
1990 general election an accordance with the true will of the people and democratic process, we fully support all acts of
opposition against the SLORC, by it.
8. Agreement Relating to ASEAN
We, the Ethnic Nationalities Seminar, agree to send letters to ASEAN, requesting it to delay, indefinitely, acceptance of
Burma under the SLORC, as a member of the organization.
10. Agreement on Reunion
We, the Ethnic Nationalities Seminar, agree to maintain and implement the results of the seminar and to have a reunion at least once a year.
SIGNATORIES
1. Gen. Aung Than Lay (Karenni National Progressive Party)
2. Col. Khun Okker (Pa-O People's Liberation Organization)
3.Col Maha Sann (Wa National Organization)
4. Col Sai Pao Sing (United Wa State Party)
5. Mai Aik Phone (Palaung State Liberation Front)
6. Col. Zau Seng (Kachin
Independence Organization)
7. Khing Myat Kyaw (All Araken Students and Youth Congress)
8. B. Kya Oo (Lahu Democratic Front)
9. Nai Han Tha (New Mon State Party)
10. Khing Soe Naing Aung (Araken Liberation Party)
11. Khun Na Ruh (Kayan New Land Party)
12. Sao Oac Kesi (Shan United Revolutionary Army)
13. Slai Shwe Kha (Chin National Front)
14. Khun Home (Shan Democratic Union)
15. Gen Saw Bo Mya (Karen National Union)
16. Individual Delegates
1.Chao-Tzang Yawnghwe
2.Naw Louish Benson
3.Khun Marko Ban