Exiled Shans say border conflict getting in the way of reconciliation

Exiled Shans say border conflict getting in the way of reconciliation

The Shan Democratic Union, umbrella organization of Shans in exile, have today called for an end to the ongoing war along the Thai-Burma border, citing it as destroying the national reconciliation process vowed by the ruling military council, Aung San Suu Kyi and the ethnic nationalities. 

"With the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, many have believed that the national reconciliation ... would progress with leaps and bounds. But the opposite is only true, if the prevailing fierce armed conflict... is to be believed," claims the statement. 

It reasoned that there must be a dialogue process, known as the Tripartite Dialogue_ among the ruling military council, the democratic opposition and the non-Burman nationalities_, in order to make national reconciliation a reality. "And the best way to start is to stop this ongoing war and senseless killings, coupled with a nationwide ceasefire and all inclusive dialogue process covering the whole society," says the statement. 

The Tripartite Dialogue has been officially accepted by the National League for Democracy of Aung San Suu Kyi and most non-Burman organizations, including the Shan State Army of Col Yawdserk and the Karen National Union of Saw Ba Thin Sein. 

Deploring Rangoon's use of Wa and Lahu militias against Shan as its 'divide and rule policy' in action, the statement exhorted the latter for the termination of all hostilities "if it is really sincere to achieve national reconciliation." 

Meanwhile, the offensive by the Burma Army across three Thai provinces: Maehongson, Chiangmai and Chiangrai remains "a bloody deadlock," as one Thai border watcher puts it.