Vancouver, Canada: Hurricane Katrina has painted the real picture of the mass suffering of people and for the first time the Americans have witnessed it, while in Burma, the people have been used to this scene as it was repeatedly played again and again for one and half decades of Burmese
(Editor’s Note: In the wake of India’s renewed offensive against Burma’s pro-democracy opposition groups, notably the Chin National Front since July 2005, many activists based in India are increasingly frustrated and are helplessly feeling that their cause has been betrayed by the world’s largest democracy, a country they have always looked to for support.
The flashing of the photo of SSA (Shan State Army) leader Col. Yawd Serk and SSNA (Shan State National Army) and announcing the merger to fight against the genocidal regime in Rangoon, over the media is worthy of inspiration and imitation to all the ethnic groups of the Union of Burma, if not the world. It is also time to think whether we could form the Union of Burma or rather Union of Nationalities minus the dominant Myanmar/Burman tribe.
Noticeably, the recent declaration of Shan’s independence is shaking the whole pro-democracy movement of the day in the conflict-ridden Union of Burma. The Union of Burma or its conventional name “Burma” has been plagued by the internal conflicts especially since its independence
[CG Note: A Chin MP Pu Lian Uk, a lawyer and former political prisoner, expressed his opinion below regarding the declaration of independence by Shan elders. He is an independent elected MP from Haka, the capital of Chin state during the 1990 general election in Burma. He is now exile in the United States of America]
Most commentators, especially those of Burman origin explain the ethnic conflict in Burma by condeming the colonial rulers as a scapegoats of Burma’s prolonged political deadlock. They said the internal hostilities and conflict of Burma was a legacy of Colonial rule. On the other hand, some Burman chauvinists said the secession rights for the Shan and Karreni peoples, which can be exercised after 10 years of living in the Union, clearly spelled out in the written Constitution of 1947 was a problem.
April 9. 2005: The S.H.A.N. news article on 29 March 2005 reported the resurrection of the Shan Independence cause and a rejection of federalism, especially the ‘tripartite dialogue’ advocated by my late brother Chao Tzang and myself. This is an issue that Shan leaders have grappled with for decades.
(Delivered by Dr. Lian Sakhong at His Funeral Service on Saturday, 31 July 2004, at Burquitlam Chapel, Vancouver, Canada)
Uncle Eugene was my mentor; intellectual advisor, political leader, and intimate personal and family friend. In fact, he was like my father. When Harn called me and broke the news of his demise just a few hours after he passed away
May 9, 2004: Even if the military generals implement the process of constitution in their sponsored convention by compelling the participants to approve it, we are not going to accept the outcomes as the would-be-seen result is illegal. Indeed, convening the national convention without finding means first to end the internal political crisis is disgraceful and unacceptable agenda that the military regime is embarking on. It is just a FAKE convention.
It is undeniable historical fact that, we, the people of Union of Burma, have had a very bitter experience during the Burmese General’s homegrown Burmese Way of Socialism that led Burma from riches to rags. And it seems that we are now heading for another General’s homegrown Burmese Way of Democracy.
