The View of RCSS on Solving the Political Problem of Union of Burma

Wednesday, 25 March 2009 13:50

The Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), the political wing of Shan State Army (SSA) has not boycotted yet
on the 2010 election, conducted by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) but it is not in accordance
with the democratic system so that RCSS has stated its point of view on solving the political problem and drug
problem as the following:
1. To solve the problem, we must solve the main cause of the problem first otherwise it cannot be solved. The
main cause of the problem of Union of Burma began from the 9 articles of Panglong Agreement signed in the year
1947 that the junta had failed to honor.

In February 11, 1947 at 09:00AM,Gen Aung San had a meeting with Kachin, Chin and Shan ethnic leaders and
they had made some agreements :

a. As it was the time of unity, to include the province with the Kachin State will be confirmed but the state will
be recognized later.

b. As for the right of secession, it shall be discussed in constituent assembly, it must be according to the wish
of the hill tribe people.

c. The joining with the Union before independence must not be a hinder to the term of secession.

d. After joining the Union, the hill state must have the rights to secede.

e. Although they can decide to separate in the constituent assembly, and they are entitled to the rights of
reunion if desired.

f. To join with the Union, the equal rights and the same statues to the Burmese must be recognized under
the democratic system.

g. The Union Government has no rights to interfere with the administration of Shan State. The Government
of Shan State must have its own constitution.

h. The Union Government must not interfere and violate the literature, culture, language and traditional ways
of the ethnic.
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i. The administrative budgets of the hill states must be more than the colonial time.

2. To solve the political problem of Union of Burma, we see:

a. The SPDC must declare the amnesty to all dissidents include non- cease fire groups and cease fire groups
as well as democratic forces both inside and in exile and allow them to mobilize their campaign freely.

b. To allow all parties and all organizations to amend and review the 2008 constitution.

c. If when the amendment of the constitution is completed, the general election will be held and in which let
people can vote freely.

RCSS dose not oppose the 2010 election but we do not agree with the way only that the SPDC arranges for the
coming election. The Election Committee should be formed by all parties and all organization and allowing people
to vote with their desires.

3. As National League for Democracy (NLD) and Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SLND) won the
1990 election, the junta should allow them to contest the 2010 election. In term of allowing these two parties to
join with the conducting of 2010 election, RCSS has optimistic view on it.

4. I n order to solve the drug problem, the political problem must be solved first. Shan State is one of the
states of Union of Burma, not a Burma’s colony. To eradicate the narcotic drugs, Shan State itself must have
sovereign power as it needs to promote its people’s economic system, health care and education. Crop
substitution projects must be provided to people. Though, Thai officials have tried the wipe out the drugs for
years, they could not reach their goal. Because most of poppy plantations are grown in Shan State. The drug
traders only transport the drugs through Thailand to the outside world as a route. Hence, if the political problem
between Burma and Shan State cannot be solved, there is no way to solve the drug problem too.

5. RCSS always welcomes talks to resolve the political problem with the SPDC. We believe that the talk should
be based on balance and flexibility for both sides so that the beneficial results can be found.

Yawd Serk
Chairman
Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS)