Shan Support East Timorese Referendum

Shan Support East Timorese Referendum

A Shan leader has expressed Shan support for positive development taking place in East Timor, reported Shan source from Europe. 

Sai Wansai, Vice President 2 of the Shan Democratic Union, the umbrella organization of overseas Shan groups, in his letter to Jose Ramos-Horta, Nobel laureate and leader of East Timor, expressing Shan support for "positive development" taking place there under UN sponsorship. 

He also thanked Mr. Gusmao for his support for the struggle in Burma, adding that, "(A)s a non-Burman struggling for self-determination, I would like to stress that Aung San Suu Kyi to us is Megawati to you ...... If might be more appropriate for you to compare yourselves to Khun Htoon Oo, the Shan leader, or other non-Burman leaders". 

The Shan Democratic Union was formed on 16 November 1996 under the presidentship of Sao Hsohom the Prince of Mongpawn. Its pro-independence and pro-integrationist factions are reported to be united under the principle of democratic and peaceful popular referendum. 

Both the Shans and East Timorese are members of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization, together with the Karenni and Mon. "In farct, it was the UNPO that initiated the nomination of Mr. Ramos for the Nobel Peace prize", the source said.