Ceasefire groups play close to their chests

No.04 - 7/2007
6 July 2007
Politics
 
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:
 
"Knowing the media would not keep quiet about what they have learned, the leaders are really careful about what they say," said a source close to one of the ceasefire groups in northern Shan State. "They may therefore be saying things completely different from what's in their minds."
 
One does not have to look far for examples, according to a ceasefire source. Most of the recent planned meetings of Chinese authorities with ceasefire representatives were reported before they even took place, which had served to alert the junta authorities who became stricter with the movements of the ceasefire leaders. "As a result, our leader who was scheduled to arrive on the border today was forced to cancel his trip," said a Chinese border-based member of a ceasefire group.
 
The media is like what one used to say about the fairer sex, according to him. "We can't live without them, and we can't live with them," he mused. "Why can't they wait until we've met and talked with the Chinese before they report about it? We feel as though they (the media) are working for the junta."
 
S.H.A.N. was unable to extract more information from them.
 
According to unconfirmed reports, many of the ceasefire groups are preparing for the worst: to return to the armed struggle if forced to surrender before democracy and state rights are guaranteed.