Aung San Arrives Panglong Promises Safeguards For Non

Aung San Arrives Panglong Promises Safeguards For Non-Burman Rights

Back To The Past-Today 
8 February 1947 

General Aung San and his delegation arrived at Panglong in the evening today and delivered an address to the people promising adequate safeguards for non-Burman rights had they decided to join Burma. 

Aung San said the non-Burmans could struggle on their own, but no one could predict how long it would last. "But if you join hands with the Burmese, independence at the same time is assured". 

He added that he was there to sign an agreement "that will safeguard your rights. I know neither myself nor the AFPFL (Anti Fascist People's Freedom League) Government will outlast this earth we live. The AFPFL may be gone one day, but we shall make our agreement into law so that no one can destroy it later". 

The result was the Panglong Agreement 4 days later. 

Aung San was accompanied by U Aung Zan Way, Bo Khin Maung Galay, U Pe Khin and Bo Htun Hla. Tin Aye, President of the Shan States People's Freedom League, also arrived with him. 

The British team reached Panglong the next morning. It was composed of A.G. Bottomley, Under-Secretary of the Dominions, Bernard Ledwidge, John Leyden, OBE, the new director of the Frontier Areas (succeeding H.N.C. Stevenson) and U Tin Tut.