2007

SSA appoints new spokesperson

The Shan State Army (SSA) South that has been without a spokesperson since late last year has appointed a noted fighting officer as its spokesman, according to the resolutions passed at the recent annual meeting across the border.

Exile opposition urged to work for sustainable unity

Despite some notable successes achieved by the opposition movements outside Burma, unity among them was still top priority for some 30 participants at an unpretentious seminar held in Chiangmai last Saturday (13 January).

King laureate calls for "state building" in Burma

Speaking in Stockholm's parliament building and later at the church of Salemkyrkan where he was accepting the Martin Luther King Prize yesterday, Burma's opposition Ethnic Nationalities Council (ENC) General Secretary Dr Lian Hmung Sakhong called for "state-building" in lieu of "nation-building" that has been pursued by the country's military regime since 1962.

Contact number for SSA spokesman

Sai Lao Hseng, newly appointed spokesman for Restoration Council of Shan State/ Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA), can be reached at the following email address and number:

A Brit admits

His country Great Britain had committed three mistakes in Burma during its heyday as a colonial power, said the kingdom's former ambassador to Thailand Derek Tonkin yesterday.

SSA calls for constructive engagement with China and Russia

Amid harsh criticisms against China and Russia following their vetoing of US initiated draft resolution on Burma on 12 January, the anti-junta Shan State Army (SSA) South is counseling a different approach: dialogue instead of confrontation, according to Col Yawdserk.

Pundit urges opposition groups to join forces

Sydney-based Dr Than Naing, who is currently a visiting professor at Chiangmai University's All Ethnic International Open University (AEIOU) program, has called on Burma's multitudinous opposition movements to unite, during his 3-hour lecture yesterday.

Renegade Karen commander doesn't have a leg to stand on

Attempts by the recently ousted brigade commander of Karen National Union (KNU) to set up a rival group was doomed from the start as even his own battalion commanders were against breaking away from the mother organization, according to the movement's European representative Brig-Gen Saw Hsa Gay.

Interview: On current Karen situation

Following news of Col Nerdah Mya's agreement to return to the fold yesterday, S.H.A.N. had interviewed the Karen National Union (KNU)'s representative for Europe and East Timor, Member of Central Committee and Head of Special Warfare Section, Brig-Gen Saw Hsar Gay:

Interview: On current Karen situation (Part II)

 

Top Karen commanders pledge loyalty to leadership

Apparently to dispel all existing doubts about its internal unity, following a recent separate agreement between its 7th Brigade commander and the Burma Army, the Karen National Union has released a 3-page document signed by its top commanders in support of their political leadership last August and September.

Opposition holds strategic meeting

As opposition politicians and activists gather on the Thai-Burma border to revise their strategy in a three-day meeting that begins today,

Joint strategic meet declared a success

Unity among Burma's opposition forces has been strengthened as a result of three days of consultation, an elated spokesman for the strategic meeting held on the Thai-Burma border from 21-23 February told S.H.A.N. today.

Reconciliation meet declared a success

A two-day annual consultation organized by the National Reconciliation Programme (NRP) on the Thai-Burma border ended yesterday with a formal declaration of success by its programme committee chairman David Thackerbaw of Karen National Union (KNU).

Junta demands military presence in Mongla

A top commander of the Burma Army had once again pressed on the Mongla ceasefire group to accept a token military presence in its domain during the latest meeting which took place on Tuesday, 13 March, according to an insider source.

Veteran leader honored by young Shans

More than a hundred young Shan exiles of Chiangmai threw a party last evening in honor of Sao Sengsuk, a 48-year veteran of continuous struggle against Burma's military dictatorship, who turned 72 yesterday.

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'Slain' commander returns to life

A trusted confidant of a Shan State Army (SSA) South commander, whose death has been publicized for months by a rival group, visited S.H.A.N. yesterday to announce he is still very much alive and kicking.

Khun Tun Oo

 

Detained Shan leader to give alms

Detained Shan leader Khun Tun Oo will be giving alms on Sunday, 15 April, according to a source close to his family in Rangoon.

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More guns and power to pro-junta militia

The Burma Army sponsored militia groups are getting more weapons and authority over local civilian populations, according to sources on the border.

U Myint Than

 

Shans to hold religious ceremony for deceased leader

Followers of Math Myint Than, who died on 2 May last year while serving a 79-year prison term in Sandoway, will be holding a religious ceremony in his honor today in Taunggyi, according to his family's friend.

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Shan rebel leader seeks peaceful ways with guns ready

One should not give up hoping for the best when it comes to resolving by peaceful means Burma's long standing problems, but one should also be prepared against the worst to defend one's rights by military means, said Col Yawdserk, leader of the Shan State Army (SSA) "South" yesterday.

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Shan leader wants monks to stay above politics

Shan monkhood should remain refuge for different sections of the Shan society and stay above politics, Shan State Army (SSA) South leader Col Yawdserk recently told a two-day assembly of Shan monks held at his main base of Loi Taileng, opposite Maehongson.

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Ad Carabao, Yawdserk

 

Shans call for state pact against junta

Not for the first time in decades, different Shans groups came together last weekend to set out on the creation of a state council that will speak for the diverse racial groups inhabiting Burma's largest state.

Shan leader: SSA must be people's army

The Shan State Army (SSA) must strive to be a disciplined armed organization worth its salt, according to a prepared speech by Col Yawdserk, Chairman of its political arm Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) yesterday, the day the Shan resistance turned 49, to his troops at Loi Taileng, opposite Maehongson.

Planned junta-SSA meeting called off

The planned historic meeting between the Burma Army and Shan State Army (SSA) South on the border today was postponed indefinitely after the Burma Army delegation failed to appear at the venue, according to SSA leader Col Yawdserk.

Wei Hsaitang

 

Bao Youxiang

 

Disgraced son of Wa released

A Wa commander, known as 'the fightingest officer' in the United Wa State Army (UWSA), was recently pardoned and released from prison by Panghsang leaders amid reports of calls for surrender by Burma's military rulers, according to sources on Thai and Chinese borders.

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Distant nuclear future not for lack of ambition

A Russia-returnee officer, speaking by phone from Mandalay where he is on furlough, confirms prevalent reports on Burma's efforts to acquire nuclear weapons are not just "fairy tales" concocted by anti-junta exiles.

Karenni leader: Ceasefire pact two trip to oblivion

According to Abel Tweed, Vice Chairman of Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), one of the three major groups fighting against Burma's military rulers, a ceasefire agreement would lead to nothing but total submission to tyranny.

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Detained Shan leader: Body in turmoil, mind at peace

Khun Tun Oo, elected Shan leader who was detained and sentenced to a 93 year prison term in 2005, has been marking his time at Burma's northernmost prison in Putao in peace, according to a family friend.

Non-Shans propose autonomous homelands

A five-day gathering of activists from Shan State to discuss the first draft of Shan State charter last week has called for self-ruled homelands for the state's major ethnic groups.

Hkun Htoon Oo

 

Detained Shan leader to ceasefire leaders: Say no to Convention

Members of Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) who recently visited the border have confirmed that Hkun Htoon Oo, their leader who is being detained in Kachin State's Putao prison, is firmly opposed to the ceasefire group's further attendance of the junta-organized National Convention.

Sao N. Oo

 

The Truth and Legality of the “Panglong Agreement”

In the article, “Conflicting Interests Impede Burma’s Democratisation” written by Nehginpao Kipgen, in the Asian Tribune, 2007-06-21, he wrote “In fact, with the nullification of the 1947 Panglong Agreement and the subsequent constitution, all ethnic nationalities of Burma can claim pre-independence status.”

March To Safety

 

SSA extends welcome to ex-ceasefire group

Prior to the press conference to be held on the border today by leaders of the faction from the Shan State Nationalities People's Organization (SNPLO), anti-Rangoon Shan State Army (SSA) leader Col Yawdserk has assured his warm welcome to the group.

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A constitution's response, hope for a united Burma

Two hundred thirty-one years ago today the United States declared independence, and over the next decade, the Founding Fathers were drafting a document that would provide the checks and balances that they deemed necessary to create their own constitutional democracy.

Ceasefire groups play close to their chests

A number of groups that have ceasefire agreements with Pyinmana (Naypyidaw) remain discreet about their post-National Convention plans, as the last session of the constitutional meeting to be held on 18 July draws near, reports Chai Sayam from the border:

Opposition draft charters can become provisional charters

The state and federal constitutions being drafted by the Opposition can serve as provisional charters when freedom returns to Burma, according to an American legal expert.

Shan State key to Burma's future

If a constitutional government doesn't work in Shan State, it won't in the rest of Burma, as the country is ethnically diverse with Shan State being its most diverse region, according to an American academic during a review of its first draft constitution last Sunday, 29 July.

Ti Hsawng

 

Tarkalay

 

Ceasefire group reorganized

The Shan State Nationalities People's Liberation Organization (SNPLO) that had been shattered the last two months by factional divisions have been reorganized, according to an SNPLO senior officer.

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Another Shan leader fades out

Almost 5 months after his 72nd birthday was celebrated by young Shans in Chiangmai, Sao Seng Suk, one of the principal Shan leaders fighting for democracy and self-determination, succumbed this evening at 17:00 to his prolonged illness.

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Sao Seng Suk's funeral information

Remains of Shan leader Sao Seng Suk, 72, who passed away at 17:45 yesterday, 13 August, will be cremated at 13:00 Saturday, 18 August. His illness was diagnosed by the doctors as lung cancer.

Thein Sein

 

Convention to conclude on 3 September

The 11th and final session of the junta-organized constitutional convention has been scheduled to wind up on Monday, 3 September, according to a source close to some of the convention delegates.

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Wa funeral expected to draw huge crowd of mourners

The 1 September funeral of Bao Youhua, the youngest brother of the Bao clan that has held sway over the Wa region for almost two decades, is expected to be attended by representatives from several ceasefire groups, according to sources from the border.

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Shan leader sets conditions for parley

Shan State Army (SSA) South leader Col Yawdserk, saying he "heartily" welcomes the outgoing Thai army commander in chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin's acceptance of Pyinmana's request "to do everything he could to encourage the rebel groups to come to the table," according to Bangkok Post, has stated his terms for negotiations with the junta.

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Non-protest in Shan State not indifference

Since mid August, protests against skyhigh fuel prices have been going on in the rest of Burma but not in Shan State, which does not mean the people here are unfeeling to other people's sufferings, say residents of Tachilek, opposite Thailand's Maesai, yesterday.

SSA-Yawdserk

 

Yawdserk salutes Burma's monks

Col Yawdserk, leader of the anti-junta Shan State Army (SSA) South, has voiced his support for the monks who had since 18 September declared the patta-nukkujjana kamma (the act of overturning the bowl) to Burma's military rulers.

Yawdserk salutes Burma's monks

Col Yawdserk, leader of the anti-junta Shan State Army (SSA) South, has voiced his support for the monks who had since 18 September declared the patta-nukkujjana kamma (the act of overturning the bowl) to Burma's military rulers.

Mindfulness in Revolution

Being an eye witness of the 8888 democracy movement and have overheard the talking of some of the retired generals, I have come to understand the Burmese army strategy of patiently waiting for the opportune moment,

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Burmese community in Sydney prays for Burma

The Sydney based Burmese Buddhist monks stand united with the ten thousand monks in Burma and pray for safety of the people and monks who take part in the on going peaceful protest against the military regime.

SHRF MONTHLY REPORT - SEPTEMBER 2007

 

Naomi Mann in an interview with members of the NLD on the current wave of protests.

 

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Ethnic leaders join protest

Spurning criticisms that the non-Burmans are merely contenting themselves as spectators while the confrontation between Burma's ruling generals and the Buddhist monks are gearing up to the breaking point,

SPDC: an Organization of Terrorism and Crime against Humanity

 

Call for Application for the PhD in Human Rights and Peace Studies (International Program) and

 

Open letter to SHAN

"Warning to SPDC and Request to Patriotic Officers and Soldiers in the Tatmadaw"

Sydney-04

 

Sydneysiders pressure the Australian government

The Australian government and the Burmese military junta are being informed with a strong message from the Sydneysiders that they will not tolerate the ongoing abuses, human rights, torture and violence against the peaceful protestors in Burma, said Dr. John Kaye, the protest rally organiser.

Junta cleaning up image at public expense

People in eastern Shan State have been ordered to stage a pro-junta rally today in Kengtung, 160km north of Tachilek, opposite Maesai, following bloody killings in Rangoon last week, according to sources in Tachilek and Kengtung.

Open Letter to SHAN

" SPDC´s Burma, the country of total terror ! "

Unreported protest in Shan State

On 24 September 2007, thirty seven monks staged a peaceful protest in Kyaukme, a town in northern Shan State by marching and chanting Metta Sutta.

Wa deny aiding and abetting junta crackdown

A senior Wa official has rejected reports of the United Wa State Army (UWSA)'s involvement in the recent crackdown by Burma's ruling generals on unarmed protestors in Mandalay as "maliciously groundless."

SaiWansai

 

Burma: The Notion of Responsibility to Protect Versus

The only way to stop this "reign of terror" and tyrannical rule in Burma is a full scale humanitarian intervention. Where have all the noises of "responsibility to protect", which unofficially have been endorsed by almost all democratic countries gone?

The Regime’s Crimes Against The Shan

Recently, because the world’s attention has been on the peaceful protests and the bloodbath of monks and supporters in Rangoon, the ethnic peoples’ ongoing abhorrent treatment by the regime has been placed in the backseat or just ignored.

Summary of the darkest and most terrifying Period in the History of Burma; the Military Regimes of Burma; 1962- 2007+?

 

"The struggle for Democracy in Burma will continue!"

It seems that the increase of the fuel prices in August was in line with the SPDC´s strategy to" strike out" against the democratic opposition.

Hundreds of Shan monks pinched in crackdown

A Shan cleric who recently escaped to Thailand has confirmed that more than a hundred Shan monks were among those detained by the ruling military junta during the crackdown launched two weeks earlier.

Images

 

Australian government urged to pressure China

More than 250 protesters from different ethnic communities in Sydney demand the Australian government to pressure the China not to undermine the UN Security Council’s statement on Burma.

Honoring the Monks in Burma

More than 500 Pace Walkers let by Burmese Buddhist monks in Sydney pay tribute to monks and civilians who have been killed in the recent crackdown by the Burmese military regime in Burma.

Junta’s economic suppression disables ethnic groups’ political capability

A traveler recently returning from the Sino-Burma border recalled his experiences that the Burmese junta’s economic suppression of the ethnic people serves its political interests. The ethnic activists in small towns have been unable to organize the local population to support recent monks’ popular movements although moral support among the population was very high.

Chinland Guardian: Interview With Harn Yawnghwe

"Reconciliation through Dialogue" is the Name of The Game in Burma Politics

Activists to hold rally demanding Australia to stop secret cooperation

A major rally to demand that the Australian government to stop its secret cooperation with the Burmese Military Junta will be held in Sydney on November 15.

Opposition unity urged

A recent meeting of Shan resistance veterans have called for a tighter union among the Burman and non-Burman opposition movements taking advantage of the universal revulsion directed against the ruling military junta following last month’s peaceful protests that turned into a bloody carnage and crackdown.

United religions pray for Burma

People of all faiths and spiritualities from different communities and organizations in Sydney pray for peace and justice for the people of Burma.

Anarchy is NOT What We Want

It is a shame that so many people have misconceived ideas about our Opposition Groups and Freedom Fighters. Recently, several ministers and diplomats of Asean countries warned that a sudden regime change in Burma could lead to Iraq-type anarchy with rival factions battling each other for power.

Wa only want to be left alone

Burma’s opposition while abhorring Wa involvement in drugs nevertheless may be ready to forgive and forget it if the militarily strongest non-Burma Army movement go against the country’s military rulers, but that would need a whole lot of convincing to do, according to the recently published study by the Washington-based East-West Center (EWC) The United Wa State Party: Narco-Army or Ethnic Nationalist Party?

In Response to Recent Articles

I thank Gazala Paul for writing such an extensive article, and his recommendation on Future Federalism in Burma, but I would like to respond to certain points. In the article “A Cry from Burma”, he wrote, “The military claimed that it had to take over power (1962) because there was a secession plot by the leaders of the ethnic nationalities.”

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