The Zomi National congress was held on October 22, 2010 in Kalay town, Upper Burma. Ethnic nationalities and Burmese pro democracy leaders called for a second Pinlon conference by signing a declaration called “Kalay Myo Declaration.” It was signed by Kachin, Shan, Chin, Mon and NLD leaders.
The main idea of the declaration is trying to stop the coming civil war which has been burning Burma inside out since it gained independent from Britain in 1948.
After Burma gained independent from Britain, the new government which was led by Prime Minister U Nu faced a challenge from communist, socialist, and ethnic nationalities. Civil war broke out and communist and ethnic insurgencies spread though out the country for decades and still exist today.
Gereral Ne Win who duty was to fight against the insurgents emerged as a powerful military leader and the army became the strongest institution with well trained and obedience soldiers. Ne Win shifted his stance from protecting the country from insurgencies to rule the country as a dictator by staged a coup in March 2, 1962.
Under Ne Win rule ethnic resistance groups still existed and controlled the dense forest areas in their respected states. The goal of the ethnic resistance is to form its own country, free from Burma. But after 40 years of civil war and achieving nothing, ethnic leaders realized that it is not possible to set up their own. Kachin leaders toured around the world and realized that no other countries support separation from Burma to become an independent country.
After 1988 uprising, students and activists came out from the cities and joined with the ethnic resistance groups. Both students and ethnic leaders learn from each other point of views and agreed to establish the Federal Union was the best way for all people living in Burma. Ethnic leaders voluntarily abandoned their previous demand as independent state was a big achievement after 1988.
Also ethnic leaders realized that fighting the military dictatorship only to free its own state was narrow minded and it will only benefit for the regime. They are shifting from previous mentality of fighting for their own people for their own state to a fighting for the whole country and joining together hand in hand with all ethnic groups including Burmans is the right way to fight against the strong army which has the rights to buy arms and ammunitions, rights to recruit young kids, and supported by neighboring countries which have desire to exploit Burma’s rich natural resources.
The current regime has reached a ceased fire agreement with 17 ethnic resistance groups more than a decades but after the 2008 constitution was approved by a fake referendum the regime took a next step by pressuring the ceased fire groups and demand them to change as border guard force under the military control. Small groups obeyed the order and changed as border guard forces but stronger resistance groups which have combat experience for four decades refused to accept the regime’s demand. Kachin, Wa, Karen, Mon and Shan resistance groups rejected the regime demand and now their controlled regions are preparing for the war, if the regime attack they will response.
These are the situations that Burma is facing now. The calling for Second Pinlon conference is the right approach and it will stop the coming blood bath. Kachin, Wa Karen and Mon areas have been in peace for more than a decades and a lot of development in their respected areas, new building and new roads will be destroyed if the war broke out.
I demand the international governments and pressure groups to consider the situation in Burma. The coming one sided election will not produce peace and stability to the Burmese people, and the new constitution will not give the rights that ethnic groups deserve. Only ethnic conference inside Burma will produce understanding each other and will bring national reconciliation which will lead the country into a peaceful place.
Htun Aung Gyaw
No comments:
Post a Comment