Squabbling Shans to be reconciled

Squabbling Shans to be reconciled 

An inside source told S.H.A.N. yesterday two of the Shan groups met recently to straighten out their differences. 

The source, who requested anonymity, said leaders from the two groups, namely, Shan Democratic Union and the Restoration Council of Shan State met and talked for 4½ hours on Sunday night (21 January). 

Although details were lacking, the source said Sao Sengsuk, SDU's spokesman, and Sao Sai Aung Mart, RCSS's vice president, were among the participants. He added that the meeting was held in a congenial atmosphere and the participants were looking forward to a follow-up get-together. 

The meeting came at a time when Wa troops and resettlers were swarming over a border township once under the control of the Shan State Army, the RCSS's armed wing. To which many Shans have attached blame on the Shan leaders' seemingly inability to co-operate with each other. 

"Even the three groups under Rangoon's boots (meaning Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, Shan State Army-North and Shan State National Army) have united under the banner of JAC (Joint Action Committee)," said one. "The SDU and RCSS should start consider doing the same, the sooner the better." 

Both the SDU and RCSS claim to support the SNLD, the Shan party that won the most seats in Shan State in the 1990 elections.