More power to the states, demand ceasefire delegates

Politics

More power to the states, demand ceasefire delegates

According to a copy of the paper submitted by 13 ceasefire groups at the National Convention, held 8 weeks before breaking off on 9 July, their delegates had called for an improved power sharing arrangement between the states and the central government.

The 12-page proposal, dated 9 June 2004, began with a claim that some of the subjects embraced by the Union legislative schedule should be refined by adding them to the other legislative schedule reserved for states and divisions.

The paper, names the following subjects, among others:

1. Defense and Security (that includes organization of local police forces)

2. Foreign Relations

• Border crossings

• Social affairs

• Commerce

3. Economy

• Hotel

• Tourism

• border trade

4. Agriculture and livestock

• Management of land

• Production and use of fertilizers and pesticides

• Research

• Fishing

5. Energy, Electricity, Minerals and Forestry

• Natural gas

• Hydropower

• Minerals and precious stones

6. Industry

• Medium and small industries

• Home industry

• Industrial zones

7. Transportation

• Inland waterways

8. Social affairs

• Education and health activities

• Child care

• Rescue and rehabilitation

9. Administration

• General administration

• Border areas development

• Census

In addition, the paper proposes

• Self-administered regions and areas like Wa and Kokang to have a separate legislative schedule

• Separate finance and taxation for the states

• Separate state constitutions

• Power of the states to select and appoint state service personnel

There was no reference as to which subjects the organizers of the Convention were in disagreement with the presenters.

A revised combined paper for the whole 105-men Other Invited Delegates group was read out at the plenary session on 9 July, the last day of the Convention instead.

One of the delegates from Shan State, during a telephone interview, claimed most of the other participants who had either read or heard the paper agreed with it. "We know they are not going to give up their powers but we also know they want to show the rest of the world they are making the most possible concessions they can to the people," he said. "It would therefore be ill-advised not to take advantage of the opportunity. It means we cannot afford to let any chance, however small it may be, to slip away without trying. We must pry if there's a crack. We must push if there's an opening. We cannot wait for everything to be perfect."

All the same, the source said other groups were unable to affix their signatures along with the 13 signatories. "We certainly are not privileged to do the same, you know that," he lamented. "We are not in the same class."

The 13 groups that signed the paper were Shan State Army "North", Kachin Democratic Army, Palaung State Liberation Army, New Democratic Army-Kachin, Kachin Independence Organization, Kayan National Guard, Karenni Nationalities People Liberation Front, Kayan New Land Party, Karenni National Progressive Party (Splinter), Shan State Nationalities People Liberation Organization, New Mon State Party, Shan State National Army and Mon Armed Peace Group (Chaung Chi Region).