Ceasefire groups will attend junta convention

Ceasefire groups will attend junta convention

Politics

After weeks of backstage politicking and haggling following the surprise announcement of their 5 preconditions on 15 October, the ceasefire groups in Shan State finally agreed last week to send representatives to the Rangoon sponsored National Convention, according to sources from the border. 

The Shan State Peace Council, a joint setup of the Shan State Army "North" and Shan State National Army, had already presented a list of 8 participants to the military intelligence in Lashio on 5 November:

Shan State Army "North"

1. Col Gaifah Vice President

2. Col Sai Du Secretary General

3. Lt-Col Harnseuk member

4. Lt-Col Kawngtai member

5. Lt-Col Sarm Moontom member

Shan State National Army

1. Lt-Col Hsengzoom Chief of Staff

2. Lt-Col Oom Khurh member

3. Sai Hsengharn member

A highly-placed source explained the reasons: "Friendly junta officers said our refusal would only serve to toughen hardliners' stand and prolong the dictatorship. They then counselled us to fight it out instead in the Convention, where a number of sympathetic listeners were said to have already been appointed to the Convening Commission. We later conferred with the SNLD (Shan Nationalities League for Democracy) leaders, who left it to us to make our own decision. Accordingly we met again and agreed to send delegates who would be withdrawn once it became clear the generals are not ready to mend their ways."

The Wa and other groups had also decided to attend the NC, he said. "However, Rangoon has yet to inform us when it will begin." 

On 6 November, representatives from six-groups: Kachin Independence Organization, Kayan New Land Prty, Karenni Nationalities People Liberation Front, New Mon State Party, Palaung State Liberation Army and the Shan State Peace Council issued another statement demanding Rangoon to sponsor a conference among ethnic groups, both ceasefire and non-ceasefire, in order to define a common platform. "We have yet to hear any response from the generals," he told S.H.A.N.. 

It is not known how much China's involvement there was in order to force the Wa to revise its stand. 

Sao Sengsuk, spokesman for exile Shan Democratic Union, said, "It is no big deal whether or not the ceasefire groups take part in the NC, as they are not elected parties. But it will be if they really are out to make it a battlefield." 

Both the NLD and SNLD have already declared their opposition to the National Convention. 

Related News: Wa sets conditions for junta convention, S.H.A.N., 19 October 2003