No.02 - 07/2006
3 July 2006
Politics

Ethnic alliance ‘has come a long way’

The Ethnic Nationalities Council (ENC) formed in August 2001, in answer to the 1994 UN resolution calling for Tripartite Dialogue, is taking all problems that come with the job in its stride, according to a report submitted to a meeting held last month, 21-23 June.

The successful founding of the ENC, increased international support, enhanced popular support, closer cooperation with the democratic forces, commonly known as the Burman opposition and active preparations among the ethnic forces themselves “must be recognized as our strong points,” the minutes from a previous meeting say.
                

Chao Tzang Yawnghwe(1939-2004) ENC’s key progenitor
                    
Lian Hmung Sakhong (ENC Secretary General)  

The grouping’s Chin General Secretary Dr Lian Hmung Sakhong points out that apart from the Kachin State, the rest of the 7 non-Burman states have already completed their state constitution drafts, together regarded as a basic component of a genuine union of states. In addition, a draft federal constitution was approved by more than 60 organizations on 8 April this year.

It nevertheless acknowledges its weaknesses: the people getting poorer and needier and problems of inside-outside coordination and cooperation, among others. One result is the delay in transforming the ENC into a bona fide state-based organization. The alliance is currently a blend of states and organizations.

“The ENC’s paramount challenge is to maintain, at all costs, a unified voice in the call for Tripartite Dialogue (i.e. Rangoon, Democratic opposition and Ethnic nationalities),” says Khun Manko Ban, MP of Faikhun (Pekhon), Shan State, and advisor to the grouping, in response to concerns voiced by some members that it may be running too fast for them to catch up. “Everything else has to be secondary to this.”

According to the grouping’s two stage roadmap, all groups have accepted five of the six basic conditions proposed by the ruling military council:
  

• The non-disintegration of the Union
• The non-disintegration of national unity
• Perpetuation of national sovereignty
• Development of multi-party democracy
• Promotion of social truths such as justice, freedom and equality

In addition, the ENC has agreed to the demand for a political role for the Armed Forces during the transition to full democracy.

In fact, this would be the alliance’s key message when dealing with Burma’s Asian neighbors, including China, India and Asean countries, according to one of its February resolutions. With the European countries, however, the basic call would be for the expansion of humanitarian assistance to the poverty-stricken people.

The ENC, according to one of its leaflets, is still evolving:

1997    Mae Tha Raw Hta seminar which called for Tripartite Dialogue
2001    Ethnic Nationalities Solidarity and Cooperation Committee
2004    Ethnic Nationalities Council(organization-based)
2005    Ethnic Nationalities Council (state-based)

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