Ethnic meet urges ceasefire groups to stick to their guns

Politics

Ethnic meet urges ceasefire groups to stick to their guns

A three-day strategic consultation meeting held by Burma's largest ethnic alliance at an unidentified venue along the Thai-Burma border has called on the ceasefire groups participating in the military-organized National Convention to hold fast to their federal proposals presented at its last session.

"We earnestly hope members of the ceasefire groups that, by force of circumstance, have been attending the SPDC (State Peace and Development Council)'s National Convention will continue to stand firmly by their original position on Democracy and Genuine Federalism," reads the statement in Burmese issued by the Ethnic Nationalities Council yesterday (Saturday, 30 October).

Sixteen armed groups that have concluded truce pacts with Rangoon had, during the 17 May-9 July session of the National Convention, demanded a reorganization of Burma as a union of autonomy states. The proposal had warranted an on the sidelines rejection from the generals but a hearty praise from the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Other resolutions include

• Support for US Congress resolution to place Burma on the UN Security Council's agenda

• Continued support for a tripartite (SPDC-Democratic Opposition-Ethnic Nationalities) dialogue

One of the unwritten conclusions reached at the meeting, attended by 40 representatives from two umbrella organizations: National Democratic Front and United Nationalities League for Democracy and other groups: Karenni National Progressive Party, Restoration Council of Shan State, Kachin National Organization, Arakan National Council, Political Affairs Committee of Chinland and Shan Women's Action Network, was the overwhelming need for all armed organizations, under the prevailing circumstances, to be on full military alert and readiness.

A state of emergency has reportedly been issued by Rangoon since the arrest and subsequent dismissal of Gen Khin Nyunt as prime minister on 18 October.

The ENC was formed on 14 March 2004 with the establishment of a Democratic Federal Union as its ultimate goal. Among its tasks are support for Aung San Suu Kyi and the ethnic alliance inside Burma, empowerment of ethnic nationalities forces and their democratic alliances and the creation of an International Forum on Burma.

Ethnic Nationalities Council "Policy making Body"
Saw Ba Thin Sein President	Khu Hte Bupeh Vice President	Salai Lian Hmung Sakhong General Secretary	Sao Seng Suk Joint Secretary	Khaing Soe Naing Aung Treasurer	General Tamla Baw Member
Khun Manko Ban Member	Dr Khin Maung Member	Bawmwang La Raw Member	Gen Aung Than Lay Advisor	Harn Yawnghwe Advisor
Ethnic nationalities Solidarity and Cooperation Committee "Implementing Body"
Teddy Buri Chairman	David Htaw Secretary	Hkun Okker Member	Khu Rimond Htoo Member