Panglong Runs Into Snags Aung San Contemplates Going Home

Panglong Runs Into Snags Aung San Contemplates Going Home

Back To The Past-Today
10 February 1947 

The first round of the formal negotiations between the Burmans and the non-Burmans at Panglong today went into a stalemate forcing Aung San to consider whether he should return to Rangoon. 

The deadlock reportedly revolved around two issues: the creation of a Kachin State, as insisted by the Kachins and the recognition of the right of secession, as demanded by the Shans. 

Aung San was reported to have said personally he was not against either demand, but he was hamstrung by the 1935 Constitution which did not permit both Myitkyina and Bhamo districts, scheduled to be merged in Burma Proper, to be administered separately with regards to the first case. 

It was the same with regards to the Shans' stand, he said. "It's goes against the grain to talk about separation when we haven't even lived together", he was reported as saying. 

The tie was such that he was threatening to leave the Conference and had reportedly ordered his aide, Bo Htun Hla, to make plane reservations back to Rangoon for the next day. 

With intervention from the princes of Mongpawn and Yawnghwe, among others, the deadlock was finally broken with Aung San softening his stance enough to accept both demands, both in principle and spirit, and to consider them at the Constituent Assembly soon to be formed. 

Aung San was to present the draft agreement the next day.