Ethnic Alliances Support Shan Independence

Independent Mon News Agency

April 27, 2005

Even the Burmese military regime and some political groups did not support the declaration of Shan State Independence, but some Karen, Mon and Karenni organizations have upheld with Shan leaders.

“If the people respect on Panglong Agreement in 1947, there is no problem with Shan declaration of independence,” said Khu Remin Htoo, General Secretary of Karenni National Progressive Party.

If the military regime does not implement an establishment genuine federal union of Burma, which the ethnic groups have demanded for decades, the Karenni will also call for independence as Shan groups did before. And they will organize other ethnic groups to do something, he added.

Mon National Council, which is based in Australia and Canada, released a statement on April 25 that they supported Shan’s declaration on independence as they focused on Panglong Agreement.

Panglong Agreement was signed on 12th February 1947, between the General Aung San (Father of Independence and Burman ethnic people) and some other ethnic leaders including Shan leaders, and they agreed to form genuine federal union of Burma.

In accordance with Panglong Agreement, General Aung San agreed on the treaty that described that after Burma gained independence for ten years, if there was no genuine federal union, the ethnic groups have the right to separate from the country.

MRC believed that regarding on the treaty, the ethnic groups such as Mon, Karen, Kachin, Chin and Kareni, and others have the right to rule their own the sovereignty state, the Statement added. 

It was not only Mon National Council, Mon leaders in Thailand were also arranged meeting on 24th April and discussed about Shan declaration of independence. Most of them mentioned that they supported Shan declaration of Independence because of the Burman or SPDC’s cruel oppression against Shan leaders and Shan people as they have no choice.

According to KNU quoted by BBC that it does not have to blame the Shan regarding to their declaration of independence. It needs to blame to the military junta in Rangoon. Shan has the right to separate.

The secretary of Mon Unity League, Nai Sunthorn Siripanngern, said, “If we viewed on Shan and other ethnic minds, they are happy with the declaration of Shan independence statement.” But, for Mon people, it is not time yet to declared independence, he added.

Accordingly to source close to New Mon State Party, the party leaders have been under pressure by the SPDC to against the declaration of Shan Independence.  Such pressure against the Mon leaders and other ceasefire groups to against the political oppositions ever occurred during NLD’s declaration for the convening of people’s parliament in 1998. 

For further information, please contact to Independent Mon News Agency
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