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POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN 1997
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN 1997 |
| Even while the relocations were going on in 1996,
the SURA were attempting to negotiate with the SLORC to reach a ceasefire agreement. SURA
leader Sao Yord Serk sent several letters to SLORC Chairman Than Shwe asking for dialogue,
but received no reply. The SLORC also warned the two other main Shan groups, the SSA and
SSNA, who already had a ceasefire agreement with the SLORC, not to make any contact with
the SURA or give them any help. However, in mid-September 1997, the leaders of the three Shan groups met at the SSA camp of Seng Kaeo in Si Paw township and signed an agreement to unite under a common banner, the Shan States Army (SSA). Sao Sai Naung, the Chief of the combined force, then went to Rangoon and made another peace attempt, asking for SLORC's official recognition of their new group. This offer was again turned down and the fighting has been continuing to the present, with the SLORC vowing to "crush" the SURA, and continuing its forced relocation program against the Shan civilian population. |
Teenager killed but perpetrator still missing
