Conference Endorsed Peace Talks Between CNF and Chin State Govt
19 December 2011: An emergency conference of the Chin National Front has unanimously endorsed the decision of CNF leadership to meet with the Chin State Government in a move welcomed by the Chin public.
The first ever emergency conference was held at a location on the Indo-Burma border with 150 participants on 12-16 December 2011, in light of the changing political scenarios in Burma.
Attended by Chin MPs, politicians, religious and community leaders, scholars and university students from both inside and outside Burma, the conference took place ahead of the upcoming meeting between CNF and Chin State government.
Paying respect to those who lost their lives in the Chin revolution of over 23 years, Pu Zing Cung, former Chairman of CNF, said: “We are not engaged in this struggle for own personal interests but for our collective national cause, which is directly related to each one of us. We are in the most important time of period to be united. Therefore, everyone has a role to play and contribute towards achieving our goals for our nation.”
CNF’s statement released today said the purpose of the conference was to enable Chin people from all walks of life, including political leaders, intelectuals and the different Chin tribal groups from all regions, to be a part of the armed revolutionary struggle for bringing self-determination, federalism and democracy to Burma.
In addition, the conference also discussed issues related to the strengthening CNF and CNA, the upcoming meeting between CNF and Chin State government, and modification of CNF’s organizational structure, with new leaders elected for the next term.
The conference unanimously elected Dr. Za Hlei Thang as Chairman of The Supreme Council, Pu Lian Uk as Vice-Chairman-I, Salai Kipp Kho Lian as Vice-Chairman-II, Tang Nang Lian Thang as Vice-Chairman-II, Pu Zing Cung as Secretary General, Pu Paul Si Tha as Secretary-I, Dr. Sui Khar as Secretary-II and Pu Khua Uk Lian as Secretary-III, with a total of 46 Central Committee members.
In his moving speech as a newly elected chairman of the Supreme Council, Dr. Za Hlei Thang, Chin MP during the 1990 election, told the conference it was a historical day in the Chin revolutionary movements and highlighted his connection with the Chin National Front since early 1990s.
“I don’t deserve this post before my seniors but I feel much encouraged when we all meet here for our national cause once again. Unity and discipline are most needed, and without them, our organization would fall,” added the newly elected chairman.
A physician by profession and leading member of the student movements in the 1970s, Dr. Za Hlei Thang was elected a Member of Parliament from Falam Constituency in the 1990 elections on the Chin National League for Democracy ticket.
A 10-member delegation of the Chin National Front is set to meet with Chin State government officials in Hakha on 5-6 January 2012, as an initial process towards ‘peace talk’ offered by Burma’s new government late this year.
Van Biak Thang
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