S.H.A.N : IS THE SHAN PARTY LOSING

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Subject: S.H.A.N : IS THE SHAN PARTY LOSING PEOPLE'S TRUST?

S.H.A.N : IS THE SHAN PARTY LOSING PEOPLE'S TRUST ?
June 15,1996

Reports that the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy ( SNLD ), popularly
known as the Tiger Head Party ( in reference to its emblem ), the biggest party
in the Shan State and second only to the NLD in the whole Union of Burma during
the 1990 elections, might not follow the NLD and boycott the SLORC- held  "
National Convention " have caused many people to feel let down and have made
some opposition parties scared.

The SNLD says it will continue to attend the next session of the NC when
re-convened. The fact that the party had in the past spoken openly in the
National Convention had been welcomed by every corner of the Union and their
statements had been considered as the true reflection of the people's wishes,
even more so than the words of the NLD in the meeting, as they had been
excessively cautious until their leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was released last
year.

" I hope I'm wrong, " says Marko Ban, the Minister for Nationalities Affairs of
the exiled National  Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, " but we think
the Tiger Head is helping the SLORC to win. It may think otherwise, but its
sitting on the fence stance will only benefit the SLORC and not the people. "

Asked to elaborate, Marko Ban, who is a Kayan from the Shan State, replied, "
The two big issues of the Union have always been Democracy and Non-Burman
rights. The SLORC's excuse for continued clinging on to power rests on either or
both pillars. One has gone with the NLD's boycott. However, the SLORC can still
survive on the other pillar. The SNLD's refused to boycott is ensuring this. But
if it declares the National Convention invalid, and refuses to attend it
anymore, the other parties, most of them non- Burmans anyway, shall follow its
example and as a result render the National Convention meaningless. It is in the
best interests of the peoples of the Union that its leaders act decisively."

Asked what reasons might have turned the fierce Tiger into a cat, he said, " I
don't know, but there are reports that Khun Htun Oo ( the party's leader ) is
being silenced by business concessions from the SLORC. At least for the sake of
the people of Shan State, I hope he refuses to exchange his own people's rights
merely for his personal interests. "

However, S.H.A.N. could not as yet verify the reports of business concessions.

There is also speculation that the SNLD may have been under threat. One little
piece of news that escaped the media's attention during the recent SLORC arrest
of hundreds of NLD members was that they also took into custody the SNLD's
well-known and highly popular organiser, Sai Pha on 21 may.Though he was
released 5 days later, the ordeal might have served as a warning to the Shans
who are seriously considering the option of boycotting.
*****