Portugal gets to know non

Portugal gets to know non-Burmans 

Two non-Burman representatives, one Karen and one Shan, are back home after a "get to know each other" trip to Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, according to the latter.

The two, Saw Zakis, Central Committee member of the Karen National Union and Sai Wansai, General Secretary of the Shan Democratic Union, met various dignitaries for general lobbying last Monday, 18 February.

They were Mrs Aase Spielberg Danielsen, Ambassador of Norway, Mr Joop H.J. Jeurissen, Ambassador of the Netherlands, Dr. Carlos Veloso Da Costa, Deputy Director for Asia and Oceania from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Dr Alvaro Vasconcellos and Dr Miguel Santos Neves from the International Strategic Studies.

Sai Wansai quoted one "bigwig" as saying he was "pessimistic" about the outcome of the secret talks between Aung San Suu Kyi, the opposition leader, and the Rangoon authorities. "He is of the opinion that there has not been any substantial progress after more than one year.... He is personally in favor of more pressure on the SPDC (State Peace and Development Council) regarding the talks and would push this position in the upcoming EU policy deliberations."

Regarding the non-Burman nationalities' political importance and position, he confirmed the support of Portugal within the EU mold.

The two delegates were also interviewed by Diario de noticias (Daily News), the leading national newspaper on their arrival. 

They also are planning for "virgin soil" for their next lobbying trip, according to Wansai.

"We are not lobbying in the capacity as ENSCC (Ethnic Nationalities Solidarity and Cooperation Committee) members," he added, "but we toe its line that was enunciated in Oslo (on 8 December) and later in Paris."
The ENSCC was formed in last August to "speak on behalf of the non-Burman ethnic nationalities to bring about a Tripartite Dialogue."