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Non-Burman front revived amid dialogue upsurge

A 4 day meeting on the Thai border ended yesterday with the resurrection of a non-Burman united front quashed by Rangoon ten years ago. 

The United Nationalities League for Democracy, an umbrella organization for non-Burman political parties formed in the wake of the 1988 uprisings, was brought back to life by the exiled politicians after its draft constitution was ratified and executive members were elected. 

Khun Markoban, (M.P. Faikhun, Shan State) and Salai Lian Hmung Sakhong, (Gen. Secretary, Chin National League for Democracy), dubbed respectively as the "real Chairman" and "real General Secretary" of the UNLD (Liberated Area), were reported to be the prime movers of the inaugural congress (The UNLD only have presidium members and secretariat members.) 

Other well-known members of the UNLD (LA) are Daniel Aung (M.P., Mongpiang, Shan State), Lian Uk (M.P., Chin State), Dr. Zalei Htang (M.P., CNLD, Chin State) and U Tha No (M.P., Arakan League for Democracy.) 

The revival of the UNLD came at a time when reports of dialogue between Aung San Suu Kyi, the detained Nobel laureate and leader of the National League for Democracy, and junta leaders were dominating the news headlines. 
One of the UNLD aims is to work for the realization of a Tripartite Dialouge i.e. not only between the junta and the Burman-dominated democratic movement but also with the non-Burmans who have been on the struggle for their rights since 1948, the year Burma was granted Independence by the departing British. 

Chao Tzang Yawnghwe, "conscripted" patron of the UNLD (LA), said, "The Union of Burma came into being because of Panglong (where Burman and non-Burman leaders signed a treaty in 1947 "to fight for joint independence and form a union of equal partners, as Khun Markoban put it). It can only be preserved if the Spirit of Panglong is upheld by all those concerned." 

The Union is made up of Arakan (Rakhaing) Burma Proper, Chin, Kachin, Karen, Karenni (Kayah), Mon and Shan states. 

The UNLD maintains that Democracy and Rights of the Nationalities are inseparable "like head and tail of the same coin". Khun Markoban, during his address, likened them to two wheels attached to a vehicle. "They must be given equal importance in order to move the whole country forward," he said.

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On ongoing dialogue in Rangoon

Participants in the meeting agreed that the reported dialogue between generals in Rangoon and Aung San Suu Kyi did not come about because "the junta is facing a crisis and not necessarily through its good will". 
Concern was also expressed because the dialogue has yet to go any further then "bipartite". 

One participated, however, pointed out that had the two sides agreed to convene a free and fair Constitution Drafting Assembly, the need for a tripartite dialogue would not have been much. 

One other concern was the possible emergence of an interim coalition government between the NLD and the SPDC without consultation with the non-Burmans. 

The role of the UNLD, that is allied to both the NLD and the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy led by Khun Htoon Oo, who is regarded by most Shan groups as their leader and other non-Burman parties as their spokesperson, at this period therefore was considered crucial by the participants. 

An official statement however has yet to appear.