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

7 February 2012
In his address to the Shan State Day / Shan National Day ceremony at Loi Taileng, opposite Maehongson, Shan State Army (SSA) leader Lt-Gen Yawdserk re-affirmed that the movement’s conclusion of a ceasefire pact in December was for an inclusive political dialogue and for the uplifting of the living standards of the people which will free them from the scourge of dependency on opium production. (SHAN)

7 February 2012
Namzang township administration officer U Tin Myint had reportedly refused to salute the Shan State flag raised at the ceremonial ground on Shan State Day which falls today. The ceremony was attended by 2,000 townspeople.
During the second session of the Shan State Assembly, government officials had announced that the State flag is recognized by the government and can be raised together with the Union flag. (SHAN)

7 February 2012
Shan State Day is celebrated without fear for the first time in years. In Taunggyi, every house is required to raise the state flag. State chief Sao Aung Myat presided over the ceremony held at the Culture Society building. In Rangoon, the ceremony was opened by Maj Gen Thein Htay, Minister for Border Affairs. Khun Tun Oo, Shan Party leader, called upon all parties to unite. (SHAN)

6 February 2012
Mass meeting at Loi Taileng, the Shan State Army (SSA) base, on 4 February, supported the decision by the SSA to hold talks with the Burmese government. It also re-affirmed the two resolutions made by the SSA earlier: to waive the draft law for at least 3 years, and to tax only firms and traders with investments of K 10 million ($ 12,500) upwards. (SHAN)

1 February 2012
UN rights rapporteur Tomas Ojea Quintana will be meeting ethnic leaders including Hkun Tun Oo, Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) chairman, at the UNDP office in Rangoon, 11:00-13:00, according to SNLD sources. (SHAN)

31 January 2012
Union Peacemaking Team’s deputy leader U Thein Zaw had written to the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) two days ago with a request to open up the roads leading to its Mubon and Naphaw bases in Loije and Waingmaw townships, according to KIO sources. The troops there have been on low rations for several days now. The KIO has yet to make a decision on the request. (SHAN)

31 January 2012
President Thein Sein government will be providing rice and financial compensations to poppy farmers who promise to quit the practice, according to a police source from Monghsat, opposite Chiangmai. The superiors in Taunggyi have instructed each township to collect and submit a list of households engaging in poppy cultivation, he said. (SHAN)

27 January 2012
Ms Bronte Moules, Austratian ambassador to Myanmar, visited Hkun Tun Oo, leader of Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), at his home in Rangoon. Any suggestions from him in relation to Australian policy and activities in Burma would be welcomed, he was told. No further details given. (SHAN)

30 January 2012
The Shan State Nationalities People’s Liberation Organization (SSNPLO), commonly known as the Red PaO group, that was disarmed and disbanded in 2007 by the Burma Army, has been resurrected due to “urgings” from Burmese authorities, according to PaO sources. The rebirth took place after the death of its leader Takeley, who died in Taunggyi at the age of 84 on 1 August. It is headed by Khun Sein Shwe and Soe Aung Lwin, both in their 70’s. But there are younger leaders like Hserh Pyan, Kyi Han and Aung Kyaw Hsan. The PaO National Organization (PNO), also known as White PaO group, that is holding seats in the Parliament, is reportedly not happy about it. (SHAN)