Leaders of Shan and Kachin ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) agreed to follow the basic principles of the 1947 Panglong Agreement at a meeting held in Chiang Mai, Thailand from 7 to 8 June.
Sai Murng, the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) spokesman told reporters that the EAO leaders focused on issues bought up at the 1947 Panglong Conference, the contents of the 1947 Panglong Agreement, the Panglong pledges and the Panglong spirit during the meeting on 7 June.
He said: “The new [Burmese] government plans to hold a 21st Century Panglong Conference. We held this consultation to review whether the owners of the original Panglong Agreement - the Chin groups, the Kachin groups, and the Shan groups - agree to the views [expressed] at the 1947 Panglong [conference], the Panglong spirit, the Panglong pledges, the Panglong Agreement, and the essence of Panglong.”
The participants also discussed State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi’s invitations to review the political framework of the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) and attend 21st Century Panglong Conference (also known as the Union Peace Conference).
Three delegations attended the Chiang Mai meeting. They were from: the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO), led by their vice-chairman Lieutenant-General N’Ban La; the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) led by their chairman Lieutenant-General Yawd Serk; and the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) led by General Sai Htoo.
General Gun Maw from the KIO said: “We discussed about how we will attend the upcoming meetings and how to approach the public. We unanimously decided to welcome the 21st Century Panglong Conference and negotiate without losing the basic principles of the Panglong [Agreement].“
Lt-Gen N’Ban La said that the effect of the Panglong Pledge and the Panglong Agreement had been profound and that without the Panglong Agreement the Union of Burma would not exist.
He now has plans to continue discussions with other ethnic people
He said: “We have now signed [the agreement]. As the Shan, the Kachin, and the Chin are the original owners [of the 1947 Panglong Agreement] we will need to take responsibility in leading the crucial sector in future work programs. In line with our agreement, we will meet and discuss with other ethnic people and try to speak with a unified voice at the conference.”
The Chin National Front (CNF) had been invited to the meeting but its representatives were unable to attend for various reasons. Despite this the CNF said it would accept the decisions made at the meeting by the Shan and Kachin groups.
Prior to this meeting Lt-Gen Yward Serk and Lt-Gen N’Ban La had a separate meeting on 1 June.
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI
