Shan constitutional meet opts for federal system

Shan constitutional meet opts for federal system

A 3-day constitutional consultation conference held at a border province recently has settled upon a federal system for the Shan State, S.H.A.N.'s correspondents reported. 

The Shan State Constitutional Consultation, as it was called, convened on 8-11 September and participated in by 50 representatives and observers, agreed on Sunday on a federal form of government for the multi-ethnic Shan State.
The meeting also elected a drafting commission led by Sao Sengsuk, retired commander in-chief of the Shan State Army and regarded as "the real leader" of the exiled Shan Democratic Union. Also present at the conference were Mahasang of the Wa National Organization, Sao Ood Kesi and Awntern of Yawdserk's Shan State Army, Hkun Okker of the Pa-o People's Liberation Organization, Mai Ai Phong of the Palaung State Liberation Front and Sai Htoon of the Shan Democratic Union. 

On the issue of whether the Federated Shan States as it would be provisionally known, would continue to be part of the "federal Union of Burma" as proposed by Burma's opposition in general, Chao Tzang Yawnghwe, well known and well respected Shan academic, replied it was not out of the question and the draft constitution needed to provide an answer for it "such as the reaffirmation of the 1947 Panglong Agreement" that promised right of autonomy, democracy, human rights and "financial autonomy" as a condition.

"But the immediate issue is to decide upon a framework under which all the ethnic groups of Shan State can live peacefully and happily together."

Hkun Okker also agreed. "We have to think not only about the future but also to establish a common principle for our present unity."

The conference was sponsored by the National Reconciliation Program, a group based in Canada.