SSA calls for constructive engagement with China and Russia

No.12 - 1/2007
27 January 2007
Politics
 
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.
 

_{Col Yawdserk}

"The two countries may be hearing only from one side, and that is from the Burmese military, and not enough from us," he told S.H.A.N. "To them, the Burmese military may seem the only option seeing it is stronger, but force without justice never fosters peace and tranquility which both want and we should all endeavor to bring home the point to them."
 
Yawdserk said the best examples can be found in Burma's neighbors that had also been under British colonialism. "Malaysia became independent in 1957 and Singapore in 1965, 9 years and 17 years respectively after Burma, but both are among the richest countries in the region. As for Burma, what can it show for all these years of independence except millions of migrants and refugees in Thailand?"
 
Burma's ruling State Peace and Development Council had escaped censure by the UN Security Council after China and Russia vetoed the draft resolution introduced by Washington to stop persecuting its people.