Shan Leader Calls for Unified Command

Shan Leader Calls for Unified Command

A prominent leader of the Shan party that won elections in the Shan State in 1990 has called for the establishment of a unified body for all the diverse groups of Shan State, according to the official announcement from the Shan resistance quarters. 

Sai Aung Mart, Joint Secretary General of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, who arrived at the border last month, issued a statement on 9 October in his capacity as Chairman of the Standing Executive Committee for the Restoration Council of Shan State, calling for the establishment of unified command for all the movements struggling against Rangoon in the Shan State. 

The Restoration Council, with its twin goals to restore national sovereignty and to make Shan State a flourishing democracy, is to be established at a national gathering to be held some time in December, said the statement. 
The Standing Executive Committee's immediate tasks are, the statement said, threefold: To convene the National Conference, To draft the charter to form the Shan State Legislative Assembly and the Restoration Council and To draft plans for the recovery of Shan State from the junta's rule. 

The statement also invites constructive suggestions from all patriotic groups and individuals. 

The SEC is composed of 15 members, elected at a meeting on 2 October. Apart from Chairman Aung Mart, there are Sao Ternsarng (of Mongnawng House), Vice Chairman and Nang Khurh-saen (a wellknown history researcher), General Secretary. 

Those interested were invited by the SEC to contact at the following addresses: RCSS, P.O. Box 41, Maeping P.O., Chiangmai 50301, Thailand; E-mail <authai@loxinfo.co.th>. 

Yawdserk, Commander-in-Chief of the Shan State Army, was reported to have pledged his allegiance to this upcoming RCSS.