Shan States Army Held Annual Conference

Shan States Army Held Annual Conference

The Shan States Army South of Yawdserk held its third annual conference, 29 April to 3 May, at some unidentified location deep inside Shan State of Burma, according S.H.A.N. source. 

Although details are still lacking, the 5-day annual meeting re-confirmed its "Four Sacred Institutions": Nation, Country, Culture and Religion and also its "6-Guiding Principles": National Unity, Right of Self Determination, Democracy, People's Well-being, Anti-Narcotics and Peace. 

Concerning the controversial Anti-narcotics policy, Yawdserk said his troops had destroyed several refineries during their ongoing campaign along the border which began last November, during which the media were invited twice to witness "the SSA's sincerity": The first time, on 11 November 1998, when Maj. Khamleng of Khunsang Tonhoong Column turned over 4 drug smugglers together with 5 packets of heroin, and the second time, on 28 December 1998, when two packets of heroin and nearly 300,000 tablets of amphetamines were burned. 

Also at its annual conference, the 15 Military Executive Commission, headed by Yawdserk was elected. Among the others were Ltc. Khurh-ngern (No. 2), Ltc. Moengzern(No. 3) and Sao Ood Kesi (No. 8). Sao Ood continues to head the Foreign and Alliance Committee. 

A new brigade, the 198th, was also created. The SSA now has 7 brigades and 3 mobile columns.