Ethnic coalition told to lie low

Politics

Ethnic coalition told to lie low

As the informal non-Burman 9-party partnership came into the spotlight together with the National League for Democracy, both of which had cold-shouldered the military-sponsored National Convention that has been in session since 17 May, the former has recently came under fire by the generals, reported S.H.A.N. correspondent from northern Shan State.

The United Nationalities Alliance, formed on 31 July 2002, was "advised" by some well-meaning officials "to close shop", as further statements and activities on behalf of the group whose member organizations, except for the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy of Hkun Hton Oo, would prompt "the powers that be" to take action against its leaders.

As a result, all SNLD leaders, particularly Hkun Htun Oo and Sai Nood a.k.a Sai Nyunt Lwin, his secretary, are "on vacation", said party sources in the north.

Oslo-based Democratic Voice of Burma had already reported on 17 May of warnings by state agencies through the internet to the UNA to shut down its activities.

The coalition includes, apart from the SNLD, the following parties that were de-registered by Rangoon:

• Mara People's Party, Chin State

• Zomi National Congress

• Chin National League for Democracy

• Mon National League for Democracy

• Karen National Democracy Congress

• Kayah State People's League for Democracy

• Kachin State Nationalities Democracy Congress

• Kayan Nationality League for Democracy