ENC Reaffirms Determination with New Leaders
12 June 2011: The Ethnic Nationalities Council renews its determination and commitment to building a democratic and genuine Union of Burma during its 6th Conference held on the Thai-Burma border from 9-11 June 2011.
In the statement released yesterday, the ENC said it will continue to strive to build a democratic Pyidaungsu, where the constituent states are equal in political status and practice the right of internal self-determination in conformity with the spirit of Panglong Agreement.
“The ENC further reaffirms its determination to seek a political solution to the problem of national unity in order to build a peaceful, prosperous, modern and developed nation,” added the statement.
During the conference attended by 40 representatives from the seven States, advisors and special invitees, Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win, of the Karen National Union, was elected as Chairman; Dr. Sui Khar, of the Chin National Front as Secretary-General; and Nai Kasauh Mon, editor of the Independent Mon News Agency, as Deputy Secretary-General.
Dr. Sui Khar told Chinland Guardian: “It’s such an honour to have been given the position of ENC’s Secretary-General and I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for the support.”
“Based on a proper analysis on the current situation in Burma, we are in a new political landscape. Therefore, it is important that our [ENC] strategies and work plans be reviewed and developed in conformity with the present political situation, and that the strategy covers all ethnic forces for cooperation and coordation.”
The indigenous rights expert, Dr. Sui Khar, highlighted he requests public opinions and suggestions associated with the work of the Ethnic Nationalities Council (ENC).
In the interest of the nation, the ENC calls on Burma’s President U Thein Sein to stop military operations against ethnic nationalities forces while it welcomes the President’s desire to build trust with the ethnic nationalities and national unity through a ‘Pyidaungsu’ spirit.
Yesterday, Burma Army soldiers was launching military attacks against the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Kachin State and Shan State Army-North in Shan State, according to confirmed sources.
The ENC said it welcomes the formation of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), the emergence of the Shan State Army (North) and the Shan State Army (South), and the introduction of legislation to teach local ethnic languages in government schools initiated by the All Mon Regions Democracy Party, Chin National Party, Phalon-Sawaw Democratic Party, Rakhine National Development Party and the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party.
Originally formed as the “Ethnic Nationalities Solidarity and Cooperation Committee” (ENSCC) in August 2001, the ENC is committed to establishing a genuine Federal Union of Burma based on the principles of the Panglong Agreement, which was signed on February 12, 1947.
Van Biak Thang
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