KAOWAO NEWS
No. 88
An
electronic newsletter for social justice and freedom in
April 22 -
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READERS’ FRONT
SPDC URGED TO FORM GENUINE
4th ETHNIC NATIONALITIES’ CONFERENCE
MON POP MUSIC SHOWCASED BY BURMESE
Migrants detained in
REFUGEE ROAD SHUT DOWN
CANADIAN MON EXTEND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
IT IS NOT THAT SIMPLE: BO KYAW NYEIN
WHEN THE CIVILIZED MEET THE UNCIVILIZED
ON SHAN
DELARATION
READERS’ FRONT
Dear Readers,
We invite comments and suggestions on improvements to Kaowao newsletter. With your help, we hope that Kaowao News will continue to grow to serve better the needs
of those seeking social justice in
Regards,
Editor
______________________________________________________
“The Junta's Mentality and the APC Weapons” by Kambawza Win
I salute Kambawza Win for the
following article (The Junta's Mentality and the APC Weapons) he has written.
Regards,
Seng Suk
_______________________________
Thank you for this comprehensive review of the junta's past
record of chemical warfare. Yes, I do remember reading the different
incidents and it is good to have them all together in one article -plus-
additional info on the German supply source.
Your article will be a good counter-weapon. In Conventional Warfare, if, e.g.
the enemy has mustard gas, then the friendly forces have to have mustard gas.
If they have nerve gas, then, we have to have nerve gas also. That is the
M.A.D. (mutually assured destruction) philosophy that typified the Cold War
throughout the last 50 years. The rationale was that by possessing the
very weapon the enemy has, this would provide a deterrent.
However, in Our War, it is a very Unconventional Warfare, more so since we are
on a poor man's budget. We do not possess any chemical weapons --- nor do
we have any standing army --at this present time. So the only way to
deter the enemy from using Chemical weapons, or, as you termed it, APC for
Atomic, Pathological, Chemical weapons, ---the only way to deter the enemy is
by Public Media. (Since we do not resort to terrorist bombings)
Your article is one such counter-weapon. Suggestion: you could warn the
Thais that their beloved King Bhumibol Dam is directly east of Karen/Karenni
and that any APC poison could would-- given the
prevailing monsoons winds – contaminate their water reservoir which I believe,
supplies
Thank you again, and keep up your Good Work by producing more counter-weapons.
Comrade Day
____________________________________
58th
Mon National Day in the
It is true MP Nai Thaung Shein didn’t participate at the 58th Mon
National Day in
It was great that our Mon National Day was attended by
different ethnic nationalities. And I believe that it is a new dawn for
building peace and national reconciliation in
Htaw B. Monzel,
General Secretary of Euro-Mon Community
____________________________________________________
Thanks a lot for keeping update inside news to
us. Freedom, social justice and democracy are essential ingredients
for
With best wishes,
MKS (
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Politics
(Kaowao,
Ethnic leaders have urged the
SPDC for more dialogue to avoid secession and political crisis in
The
ethnic nationalities who gathered at the ENC meeting held from April 28 to
May 1 agreed that a tripartite dialogue, supported by the UN General Assembly resolution
in 1994, is essential to solve the political crisis in
A
senior member of Mon Unity League (MUL) who attended the ENC meeting at the
border said even though the burning issue on Shan Independence Declaration was
at the top of the agenda, there was no clear consensus
on it. Some participants including Shan leader, Harn
Yawnghwe himself did not support the declaration. A Mon politician told Kaowao that the meeting focused more on how to match
humanitarian aid to the general population to improve the standard of living
and how to garner international support to shed light on the SPDC’s unrelenting
pressure against the cease-fire groups in general.
Inside
The Mon prominent leader and leading members of United
Nationalities Alliance (UNA) and Committee for Representing Peoples Parliament,
Nai Tun Thein pointed out
that many ethnic ceasefire groups, non-ceasefire groups and National League for
Democracy (NLD) demonstrated their collective and political will to live in a
genuine federated Burma. Since the majority agreed upon on this issue,
the SPDC should discuss these challenges and move to implement the steps in
forming a Federal Union of Burma.
“If the Burmese regime fails to meet these challenges, many
will wish to follow the Shan’s move by declaring independence,” said the 88
year old politician.”
******************************************************
4th ETHNIC NATIONALITIES’ CONFERENCE
(ENC:
The 4th Ethnic Nationalities’ Conference was
held from 28 April to
Sixty-two delegates from the political organizations and
invited youth and women delegates participated in the Conference.
The Conference agreed to reconstitute the Ethnic
Nationalities Council and base its representation along States lines. Given the
current political situation, the Conference also decided to include
representatives from the National Democratic Front and the United Nationalities
League for Democracy (Liberated Area) in the Council.
The Conference reaffirmed that the best way to resolve the
current political crisis in the Union of Burma is through a political solution
- a face to face dialogue. The Conference also reaffirmed that the 'Tripartite
Dialogue' as called for by United Nations General Assembly in 1994, is the
solution.
The Conference established that while the ethnic
nationalities have seriously called for and prepared for a tripartite dialogue,
the SPDC military regime has absolutely refused to enter into a dialogue.
Instead of engaging in a political dialogue with the ceasefire groups who were
fully prepared to negotiate, the SPDC using its military might is subjugating
them and making them surrender their arms. The SPDC is also increasingly
causing conflict between different ethnic nationalities.
The Ethnic Nationalities Council will continue to work
towards a Tripartite Dialogue as called for by the United Nations General
Assembly and to work towards establishing a genuine federal Union of Burma. The
ethnic nationalities will also together continue to resist the SPDC regime's
use of its armed might and violence to pressure the ethnic nationalities into
submission.
The Conference calls for the release of democracy leader
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Hkun Htun
Oo who is one of the ethnic nationalities leaders, and all political prisoners
who have been unjustly detained.
In order to resolve the political, economic and social
crises that the people of the Union of Burma, including the family of military
personnel, are facing and to also gain international acceptance, the Conference
once again calls on the SPDC to accept that the solution is a tripartite
dialogue and to as soon as possible initiate national reconciliation through a
dialogue.
A staff member of the National Reconciliation Programme
attended the Conference as an Observer, and the Director of the Euro-Burma
Office participated as an Advisor to the Ethnic Nationalities Council
The Ethnic Nationalities Council was established in January
2004 by the 3rd Ethnic Nationalities Seminar. The Council's mandate
is to try to bring about a 'Tripartite Dialogue'- the military, democracy
advocates, and the ethnic nationalities - to resolve
The Ethnic Nationalities Council was formed to represent
the interests of the ethnic nationalities who make up 40% of the population (20
million) of the Union of Burma and whose homelands make up 60% of the territory.
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Culture
MON POP MUSIC SHOWCASED BY BURMESE
(Independent Mon News Agency:
Mon music performed by rock band, Anat
Ghae, has attracted fellow Burmese musicians who are
eager to add some diversity to their collection of songs. The newer style of
Mon music is being reproduced by music producers in
The Mon celebrity, Pamaukha Chan
said some Burmese song producers recently bought two Mon songs to be reproduced
for the Burmese consumer community who enjoy the new funky rhythm.
The two Mon songs: “Let Me Love” (Kor-Akhong
Charn-Nyeeh) and “Help Me, Buddy” (Roi Torh Roam) by “Anat Ghae” in CDs and cassette
tapes are very popular, even among some of the Burmese. The first one was
written by Wunna Thukha and
composed by “Thaya (Eco)”: the second was written by Blai Mon Lawi Rot and composed by
Pamaukha Chan.
“I’m so glad the Burmese artists bought our songs. This is
the best thing that has happened and the first time that our songs have the
opportunity to be listened to by the whole country. I’m glad people value
our work and I am waiting to see how the music will be performed by them”, said
Pamaukha Chan, the leader of Mon Musician
Association.
While the Mon composers were planning to produce their own
songs, the Burmese artists also bought their music notes. A Burmese
song-writer Min Thu Ya wrote both songs and
translated them into Burmese to be released in the government’s “Myawaddy” television program, said a Burmese artist.
The Burmese musicians, drummer U Saw Phu
and Min Thu Ya paid 80,000 Kyat (80
Min Thu Ya is a well-known song
writer and works for the Myanmar Television Channel (MRTV-4).
It was reported two Shan singers who sing the Burmese
songs: “Wun Daing” and
“Kyaw Han” also asked the Mon composers to sell their Mon songs to them.
The original singer, “Anat Ghae” said he liked these two songs the most from his whole
series of songs in CDs and tapes.
There are over 20 professional singers in the Mon community
who, together with other artists, musicians, singers, song writers and
composers formed a music association in 2001. Since then the music industry in
the Mon community has grown more active and Pamaukha
Chan credits the association for the growing popularity of Mon songs which has
enabled the singers to reach a professional level through networking with other
artists in the entertainment industry.
***********************************************************
Migrants detained in
(Taramon/ Gore Lavi,
About seven hundred migrants have been detained last week
in Ranong, southern
“We concerned that the Thai police are going to crack down
and we dare not let the migrants stay in our houses,” said the woman.
As there are too many migrants to put in jail, they are
detained in the
“It’s not possible to bribe the Thai police to release our
people (migrants) this time,” a Mon worker said under condition of
anonymity.
He said that about one thousand migrants were
arrested. The migrants are from Mon state, most are Mon. They traveled to
Kaw Thaung, southern tip of
Along
the
*********************************************
REFUGEE ROAD SHUT DOWN
(Kaowao,
The
road from Halockhanee and Ban Tong Yang refugee camps
to Sangkhlaburi has been closed by the Thai
authorities after a dispute between some refugees living there.
The
reason for the closure was a dispute between some refugees from the two camps
that started a week ago. A NMSP teacher who lives in the Mon refugee camp said
that two Burmese nationals who visit the Mon refugee camp accused NMSP soldiers
of looting while drinking and then beat them afterwards.
Local
sources reported that all cars were prohibited from crossing over the border
into Sangkhlaburi; however travelers paid bribes to
authorities to visit the border town. “Each passenger pays the driver
1500 Baht who then hands over the cash to Thai authorities at checkpoints along
the road,” Lawi Weng, a Mon
journalist said. The normal price was 1000 Baht.
The
road is the only means of communication between camp residents and family
members outside of the camp. The closed off road has affected Mon refugees located on the
Burmese side and the Tong Yang camp refugees who regularly visit the border
town.
Nai
Roy Jit, a refugee from the new camp said that there
is not enough food, water and no electricity, plus the people live with little
security and have no reliable access to information outside of the camp. It has
been about one week since Thai authorities banned the motor road.
Nai Jondae whose wife lives in the camp said that he is worried
about his two sick babies who were not receiving any medical treatment in the
camp and who had to risk his life to bring back medicine for them from outside
the camp two months ago.
The Thai government relocated Burmese refugees in urban
areas who hold Persons of Concern (POC) status to refugee camps along the Thai
Burma border on
********************************************************
(Kaowao,
The Mon community in
The MRC reported that over 200
“I could not have achieved this alone. Many of you
helped me one-way or another. In particular, I have gained strength and
motivation from the Mon people in
Presently, Mi Jarai Mon serves as
the Chairwoman for the Mon Women Organization (USA). In her local
community and at university in
**********************************************************
(Kaowao:
The gathering was organized by the Mon Cultural Society of Alberta. Mon
families, with children in tow, brought tons of food and donations for the
monks, poured water on the Buddha Image, with Buddhist monks and elders
overseeing the affair. New Year messages were delivered by a Mon monk,
Rev. Ao Bhae Sa and fellow community leaders Nai Khaing
Waeng, Nai Sumana and Nai
The MCS also formed its sub-committees for Culture and
Literature, Finance, Auditing, External Affairs and Information to assist the
works of the existing EC committees.
The Mon community in
The Mon community in
************************************************
IT IS NOT THAT SIMPLE
(By Bo Kyaw Nyein)
Even in today's world where globalization is the popular
term, many countries, if not all, are facing internal issues, which must be
handled with great care and sensitivity. Race related issues in
Many Burmese, like many white Americans, are uncomfortable
to discuss or express their opinion when it comes to Ethnic (race) issues
because it is the sensitive matter in the first place and because no one likes
to be seen as a bigot. So while the silent majority is shy to express their
views, only the bold and the restless who are
determined to make the name and purposely exploiting the sensitive issues raise
their voices. Some may even try to heighten the rhetoric to attract attention.
So many times, extremists from both sides grab the microphone and sadly, only
the voices of extreme are heard and thus further push the moderate and logical
voices away from the scene and epicenter. In my humble opinion, that is the
case in
Like many citizens of
I was one time confronted by some of my fellow Burmese
comrades who are sympathetic to Ethnic issues for not speaking out strongly or
for not raising the issues. The problem that many of my fellow Burmese are
facing is that we realize clearly that Ethnic issues are not the only issue
facing our nation and the people, and 'political solution' must be solve in
order to tackle the 'constitution solution ' in order to resolve complex Ethnic
issues. The root cause of many of our problems in our country
Like many countries in our global village that we know as
planet Earth, Ethnic issues are very complex and it is the legacy of our
history and human evolution. Because there are over 135 different Ethnic groups
and subgroups in
We Burmese must also accept the fact that Burma Army is
still committing serious abuses and atrocities against our ethnic minorities.
Although Burman or Bama(s) dominates the
Adding insult to injury, Burma Army is not shy to exploit
disharmony and suspicion among Ethnic groups in
The
In the midst of this mishaps and misunderstanding it is very hard for logical
and practical voices to be heard. It is very easy to provoke and manipulate raw
emotions when it comes to Nationalism, and human history had proven again and
again that undesirable events and consequences could follow if we are not
careful. Hitler and Japanese fascists clearly exploited German and Japanese
nationalism and how, recently, Slobodan Milosevic exploited Serb Nationalism
and look at where Balkanization took his country and him.
Early human evolution started with Nations (a people with
common language and culture) evolving into nation-states with defined
boundaries. Now we appear to be moving towards forming regional supra groups
like EU and ASEAN and experimenting with the concept of countries without
boundaries. And yet we (Burmese) are talking about secession and independence
and we are busy fighting and killing each other while our neighbors are
building national wealth and development and aiming to become a new Super Power
(ie China) and countries like Thailand, are fast
becoming regional leaders and achieving 1st world status of developed nations.
We all should be ashamed that while the other countries in our region are
moving forward, we are moving backward towards self-destruction and
annihilation.
It is very sad that even with their education and an
experience in growing up in the Western world, some of the so-called and
self-appointed Ethnic leaders still long for Colonial rule. While it can be
debated that some of us benefited far more from colonial rule than we now do
under dictatorial rule of incompetent and corrupt generals, we must never
forget that a master-slave relationship can never be acceptable-whether that
master is British or Burman. And when the British concluded they could no
longer govern without the support of the Burmese people themselves, colonial
rule ended. When the generals in
It is very easy to say that every people of every race have
the rights for self-determination. But it is a very different matter when it
comes to reality. For example, the Shan are not the only people in the
If Ethnic problems were easy to solve, the Palestinian/Israeli
conflict would not have lasted this long and been so destructive. Everyone
understands and acknowledge the rights of both the Palestinians and the
Israelis. But realizing these rights in a fair manner is another issue. There
are many extremists who want to kick the Jews out to the sea and of those who
want to enslave the Arabs and spread their territories endlessly as their
rights mentioned (with self interpretation) in their own religious texts. Some
Palestinians became suicide bombers, sacrificing their lives in the name of
their people. But it is clear that extremism does not and cannot bring lasting
peace. Only practical applications based on logical analysis of the issues can
find the peaceful and long-term solution.
There are definitely practical voices in the Ethic
leadership community. Even among the brothers, Dr. Chao
Tzang Yawnghwe (Eugene Thieke),
who is also the scholar and thinker and whose
approaches are far more logical than his extremist eldest brother. Dr Choa Tzang Yawnghwe who had taken
part in armed struggle and thus understood the difficulties and reality on the
ground and combining his academic credentials was able to see more clearly than
many dreamers who are simply staging 'Statement Politics' where their achievement
is nothing more than announcing and declaring statements. Because of his
logical approach and more realistic and moderate views, even though many may
not agree with him on several issues, many Bama
leaders and politicians had great respect for him. It is my sincere hope that
the younger generation of Ethnic intellectuals who have aspirations to become
leaders one day will follow Dr. Chao Tzang Yawnghwe's thinking, rather
than narrow Nationalistic views of misguides extremists.
Credible Leadership
Whenever we raise the issues of Ethnic problems of
From my prospective, NLD led by Daw Suu were the leaders
elected by the people during 1990 election. There are Khun
Htun Oo and SNLD leaders also elected by the people.
So without the participation of these elected leaders, any discussions on
a National Constitution are not legitimate. Other so called technicians
and Constitution experts can offer their advice and publish their thinking and
findings, but the final decisions for forming a fair Constitution will not be
legitimate without the participation of these elected leaders.
Some people like to blame "shortcomings" of the Panlong agreement for our lack of unity (rather a failure
by the government to meet its obligations under it), but if we examine the
process carefully, the Panlong agreement did not
happen because of one single event. Bogyoke Aung San
continuously demonstrated his leadership starting with the 1936 Student strike
and after years of struggle and successfully forming the leading alliance known
as AFPFL, Bogoyke Aung San gained acceptance as the
undeniable leader of the country and AFPFL. AFPFL was not an organization
formed only by the Bama; people from all walks of
life and many leaders from minority Ethnic backgrounds participated with the
single goal of
Today, George Washington is hailed as the founding father
of the
If we look at the current situation in Burma, even though
they are experiencing difficult times with internal unity, SPDC is still strong
and they are getting stronger financially every year to withstand Western led
sanctions with the finding of Natural Gas in the energy thirsty global
environment. They have played well with their strategy of 'Time & Space' of
closing the political space of Daw Suu (and NLD) and stretching the time and
rule of military government longer. While many of the self-appointed Ethnic
leaders are fighting hard for their right to be heard, they are totally
separated from other entities such as NCGUB, NCUB, MPU
in their efforts to replace the SPDC. In the opposition camp, we are not only
separated by ideologies such as Communism, Democratic Socialism, Capitalism, we
are separated along Ethnic lines as well. These are mostly non-violent oriented
groups, but there are also many armed resistance groups.
If all these groups are going to continue to wage their
separate wars in separate ways against the well established entity (SPDC),
backed by its 500,000 strong army and the natural resources of our country, we
will never win. If, after wandering in the political wilderness for more than
half a century, we still cannot figure out how to form a unity to fight one
common enemy, it is our fault. If we truly love our country and our people, we
should join hands and find a realistic political solution for our country.
Please let me say it from the bottom of my sincere heart that there are many
Burmese of Bama origin who truly want a fair and free
constitution for our country. I am confident that the silent majority
understands the suffering of our Ethnic brothers and sisters, because we too
are now suffering like you. We all are in the same boat. Let's join hands and
find the common and fair political solution by showing the united force to
change the system we all know as 'military dictatorship'. Let us demand that
our elected leaders participate in writing the free and fair constitution for
our country where even the military will have a proper role in a democratic
society, and where the voices of the people in each State will be fairly represented
in our government. Let us encourage all capable individuals, technicians,
experts, and constitutional scholars to contribute in writing this new
Constitution. Let's work together to realize our dreams.
There are many Bama extremists
who may possess Maha Bama
Chauvinistic views, as there are many Ethnic leaders who possess strong anti-Bama feelings. The Burma Ethnic issues are far too complex
to be addressed with emotional rhetoric and pointing the finger of blame on
specific people. I hope our younger generation will understand that book
knowledge is sometimes very different from reality on the ground. I hope we all
can avoid the experience of the six blind men touching the big elephant and
coming to different conclusions. We need to examine the problem in totality and
must explore it from all angles, and we must come together to solve the problem
in a fair manner. I just want to say to my young Ethic brothers who aspire to
become respected intellects and scholars that: It is not that Simple.
***********************************************************
WHEN THE CIVILIZED MEET THE
UNCIVILIZED
Kanbawza Win
The EU, that had just renewed its sanctions and shunned the
Burmese regime because of its gross records of human rights violations and
vehement hatred for democracy, has announced it will hold ministerial talks
with the Burmese regime at
Civilized in the sense that if two persons or groups did
not see eye to eye they sit down, negotiate (sometimes banging the table or
shouting at each other or calling names) and parted their own ways but did not
come to shooting or arresting each other (not to mentioned torturing) as in
Burma. Then after discussion, each goes on its own way and does not persecute
the other because he dares to disagree with his idea. Even if one committed a
crime he is given a fair trail with the right to choose its own lawyers and
even if in custody are allowed to see its kit and kin.
However this kind of civilized norms is non- existence in a place called Burma
(the Generals love to be called by their chauvinist name as Myanmar) the
classic example is the arrest of Khun Htun Oo of how he was denied all the civilized norms of the
homo sapiens, not to mention the fate of U Tin Oo and Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi.
The people of
In the civilized society even the most powerful person was
not above the law e.g. President Nixon was given a fair and open trial in his
impeachment. However, in uncivilized Burma as of today is that everybody
welcomes the Prime Minister with pomp and ceremony and tomorrow he was carted
to jail and tortured including all his near and dear ones. Is this a civilized
norm? Will the remaining Generals have enough guts to have a fair and an open
trial on Khin Nyunt? No they are afraid that Khin Nyunt will reveal all the
bribes, kickbacks and the atrocities committed by the other Generals? The
uncivilized people are unable to face the facts in other words they are very
much afraid of the truth.
If there was an incident like Depayin, as claimed by the
regime instigated by the people themselves then why was that
up to this day there was not an independent enquiry commission? We don't mean
that it must be an international enquiry commission (like the rapes of Shan
Ethnic Women where the Burmese army is sore afraid lest their atrocities became
public) but an enquiry commission with the Burmese people, for the Burmese by
the Burmese even if it is under the heels of the military boots. Is it because
of Khin Nyunt? The Military Intelligence knew in advance that Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi and all her associates including U Tin OO were order to be killed by non
other than Than Shwe himself and Khin Nyunt sent his
men to rescue the lady thus thwarting the butchery or in other words Than Shwe's plan. Why was this story not revealed? In a country
where problems are solved by arms and might depicting the law of jungles can we
called it civilized?
Now, the uncivilized Burmese team whose motto is lying the very concept of truth, will
be meeting a civilized EU group who want to find out nothing but the truth,
what will be the outcome? It is already made known that EU has decided to give
more than Euro 35 million ($45 million) for Burma humanitarian aid but who can
say that how many of them will fall into the hands of the corrupt Generals when
it has a track record of siphoning off the humanitarian aid. The attitude that
"I am the only pebble on the beach" is still very prominent in
the heads of the Burmese Generals. They want to be the monarch of all they survey.
How many times has the EU send its Troika Missions and what
are the results today? In January 2001, the EU high delegation led by non other
than by its prominent Swedish Foreign Ministry Asia Pacific Director went to
The civilized Europeans can differentiate between the
government and people of
The law of the jungles prevails where the strong and the
mighty prey on the small and the weak, a classic example is how the regime
treated its adversaries be it an ethnic or a democracy movement. The end
justify the means is their whole philosophy. In the jungles the strongest
become prominent e.g. a lion become king. This was reflected in
Chaingmai
*************************************************
ON SHAN DELARATION
I do understand the reasons of declaration for the Shan
States Independence by the Shan leaders. It's because of cruel repression done
by the SPDC government. The Shans had suffered very
much and there is no way to escape tortures of military government. The
declaration is the only way out for them.
But I do not understand the announcement of NLD leaders,
who sided with the military generals.
The NLD can stay quite in this conflict, as they themselves
had shut their mouth about the formation of NCGUB May be the old military
leaders who had dominated the NLD headquarters for life. (Exactly the same as
generals from the SPDC government) had made secret understanding with the SPDC
Generals to work for a permanent military rule in
May be they are afraid. If they are scared they should
surrender their chairs to the younger members.
U Thaung
_________________________________
This giant political maneuver by Shan elders can be
construed as the direct or indirect ramification of the largely discredited
National Convention. The political imbroglio endangering the safeguarding of
the Union of Burma has been exacerbated. If done so with a solid
determination of reinstating the pre status-quo of 1947 Panglong
Agreement, the Shan elders have its logical points to declare independence.
Meanwhile, taken the collective struggle and mutual
existence of all ethnic nationalities into account, the Shan elders ought to
reassess the efficacies while venturing the diverse spectrums of political
reconciliation.
On the other hand, for the Burmese military junta, this is
yet another revelation of political alarm, ticking the clock. Stringent reforms
have to be implemented. As demanded, political prisoners should be released;
there must be inclusive and extensive talks involving the military regime, the
1990 elected leaders and representatives of ethnic leaders. Unless such
significant pursuits – "Give and Take Policy/ Compromise" is made in
the political circle, more secessionist campaigns are inevitable.
This is my sincere observation and analysis on
Sincerely,
Papao
_____________________________________________
Traveling to the Federal Union by tripartite dialogue
was a dream. You may reach where you want to go but only in the dream. You
think you are already there but when you wake up, you will see you are still in
your bed room.
You have to have your state government and State
independence first before you build a Federal Union. If you don't have your
self-independence, you can't create your own destiny but you try to build a
Federal Union, I am sure that it won't happen equal and
justice Federal Union.
The NLD should not oppose the independence of Ethnic
Nationalities if they recognized that all other Ethnic Nationalities didn't
have their freedom and equal rights since 1948 until now.
I totally support not only on the Shan Declaration
Independence but also other Majority Ethnic Nationalities' independence.
Saw Pyi
_______________________________________
Their announcement, I don't know whether it's real or just
to get attention. However neither of it is not right from any angle. My
poor so-call handful of Shan, they don't think correctly whether it's possible
or not before they start anything. They should know that there is only one
choice to defeat the military which is united with all opposition. Also there
is necessary to learn regional political situation of neighboring region since
we can not ignore our neighboring countries.
Thailand has the problem of northern Muslim separatist
rebels, India has Mizoram separatist Mizo rebels and other, northern part of Chinese people even
they don't like to call themselves of Chinese, separatist rebels in Ache of
northern Sumatra in Indonesia, separatist Hmong
ethnic rebel in Laos, and so on and on. Can I say these are the real obstacles
issue for them?
Having the motivation is good but must be right motivation
is important. Mr. Andrew Marshall "The Trouser People "or Sir J.G
Scott (high-ranking British officer) their literature about the Shan and Wa
people before the British colony and under the British colony was very good to
read. However it's just for the information and its not provoking of to cry
spilled milk and awake of national pride in this globalization age. Democracy
is good but abusing the right is fatal mistake for themselves and others too.
Zaw Ne
___________________________________________________
Kanbawza Win’s article has the
same meaning that I was thinking about. "April Fool" is a
correct word to response the unrealistic announcement (Shan Independence).
Cheers
Htun Aung Gyaw
__________________________________________________
Ethnic issues and self-determination are certainly a part
of a wider democracy movement. How can we talk about democracy by putting aside
ethnic issues? Obviously the half-century internal political conflict that we
are experiencing now is without doubt a result of our country's failure to
address ethnic issues and accommodate their aspirations. It should not come as
a great surprise and concern that our ethnic brothers and sisters put their
issues before or side by side democracy. Instead ethnic minorities should have
learnt enough from their experiences sixty years ago that because they put "
Greh Moo
_______________________________________________
Extreme advocacy for ethnic rights in
Some of our ethnic brothers are pushing too much and too
hard in order to raise ethnic issues. It is nothing wrong with this effort.
However, they must be aware of the ramification effect of what they are doing.
Regards,
Tin Maung Htoo
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