A Shan National Day Message

 
In 1947 the Shan peoples decided that the 7th February would be the Shan National Day. They adopted their National Anthem, and a flag with a round moon on three parallel stripes of red, green and yellow.  The Moon represents peace, and the three colours signify courage, natural environment and religious beliefs.
 
 Before the Military coup the Shan State was the home of several diverse groups of people, each group with its own language, culture and religion. In spite of their diversity the different groups had lived peacefully side by side without conflicts or prejudices. Little did they foresee that such harmony would be so completely shattered by the two Myanmar military regimes.
 
One of the policies of the ruling generals was to divide and rule the ethnic groups so as to weaken the ties and good relation they previously had between them. They destroyed the eight regional states of the Union of Burma. In each of the regional states they have caused conflicts between the national races. All society and family units have been completely scattered. They have not only destroyed the Union of Burma, but also dishonoured the “Panglong Agreement” and abrogated the only legal Constitution.
 
For five decades or more the peoples of the Shan State with the rest of Burma have lived a life with no basic human rights; a life that no human beings should be subjected to. They are forced to live in a world of darkness where facts are being falsified as truth. Blatant lies are fed not only to the citizens of Burma but also to international Governments and communities, through propaganda and indoctrination. The most evil act performed by the junta against the citizens is to implant fear into their minds, because fear prevents people from thinking and doing what is right.

Most  young Shans that were born and brought up after1962 will know very little about the Shan State except what has been fed to you by the junta. I was very lucky, that I came out of the Shan State just before things went from bad to worse. I am sad that I was not there to be with my brothers, cousins and uncles when they were taken prisoners. I am sad that I was not at my father’s bed side when he passed away, and at his funeral. I am still sad because of all the wicked things that the junta have done and are doing to our people. I often wonder if I will ever see the Shan State again. I was at “Panglong” when the Agreement was signed, just into my teens and now I am an old aged pensioner.
 
 I have constructed loisamseep.info, and the Federated Shan States web site so that all of you, young ones can have a glimpse into the past. I am not claiming that everything in there is totally correct. They are what I have seen and heard when I was growing up. I thought a topic or two might interest and inspire some of you to want to do more research on them
Today I would like to call on all peoples of the Shan State to take some time to ponder on the past, present and future. Not all the past is good, but it was definitely better than the present. The people led a very simple way of life but they were happy and contented because they were able to enjoy basic human rights, and a freedom that is free from fear. History is for us to adopt what is good from the past, and learn from it to avoid bad mistakes.

The period from 1962 to the present is the darkest period in the history of the Shan State. In this very difficult situation we, as individuals must do what we can to help bring about the change and reach our goal. It has been a long and tedious road but slowly we are progressing We have a good army under Sao Yawd Serk, and I would like to see all the cease fire groups join up with the resistant armies, and all the ethnic armies to unite and together  make concrete plans. I am sure the majority of citizens will support and be 100 per cent behind them. The citizens of the Shan State too, should recreate understanding, tolerance, communication and compassion for each other and prove to the world that diversity had and will work; all the diverse races of the Shan State had lived peacefully side by side and they can do it again.  All must think of a new vision of how we can work together in harmony.  Solidarity is a way of collectively defending, surviving and beating the enemies. Only when the enemies are beaten can we think about building a nation that believes in democracy; about the freedom to determine our own future; a freedom that will enable all peoples of the Shan State to elect members that will serve as their government, a government that will stand for honour, justice and fairness.

We are very fortunate that we have many good friends amongst international communities who sympathise with our dire political and human rights situation, and to them we owe our appreciation and gratitude.

Good luck to you all, and from to day, the 7th February 2008, the 61st. Shan National Day, I hope there will be many happier and brighter anniversaries to follow.
With love to you all,

_{Sao Noan Oo
The author is from the former illustrious State of Lawkzawk in the Federated Shan States, as today's Shan State of Burma was known until 1948. Opinions expressed here are those of the author – Editor}

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