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Ethnic Seminar Statement and Resolu
Subject: Ethnic Seminar Statement and Resolutions
ETHNIC NATIONALITIES SEMINAR
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(MAE THA RAW HTA)
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ETHNIC NATIONALITIES SEMINAR STATEMENT
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We, the ethnic nationalities of the Union of Burma held a seminar
from January 7 to 14, 1997 at Mae Tha Raw Hta in the base area of
the Karen National Union (KNU). The seminar was attended by 111
delegates and observers from the ethnic nationality organizations
mentioned below.
1. Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP)
2. Pa-O People's Liberation Organization (PPLO)
3. Wa National Organization (WNO)
4. United Wa State Party (UWSP)
5. Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF)
6. Kachin Independence Organization (KI0)
7. All-Arakan Students and Youths Council (AASYC)
8. Lahu Democratic Front (LDF)
9. New Mon State Party (NMSP)
10. Arakan Liberation Party (ALP)
11. Kayan New Land Party (KNLP)
12. Shan United Revolutionary Army (SURA)
13. Chin National Front (CNF)
14. Shan Democratic Union (SDU)
15. Karen National Union (KNU)
16. Special guests of various nationalities.
At the seminar we, the participants, earnestly discussed and
deliberated upon the important issues, namely, internal peace,
democracy, rights or national equality and self-determination for
the ethnic nationalities and establishment of a genuine federal
union, which are the principle political problems.
In the deliberation, we determined that since the time of
independence in 1948, successive regimes in power have violated
the right to "equality of all citizens irrespective of race," as
provided for in Panglong Agreement. Armed subjugation by
successive regimes, practising racial chauvinism, for the last 49
years, has been a disastrous experience of suffering,
unprecedented in history, for the ethnic nationalities. Brutal
suppression of the ethnic nationalities by armed might is still
continuing.
The Union of Burma still lacks peace and stability. The refusal
of the Slorc to resolve the questions of the rights of the
nationalities and democratic freedom, which are the two principle
political problems, has raised tensions and worsened the
situation in the country, day by day. Accordingly, we unanimously
adopted and affirmed the resolutions as follows.
1. We are resolved to carry out democratic changes in accordance
with the will of the people of Burma and to establish a genuine
federal union based on the equality and self-determination of
nationalities, in accordance with the will of the ethnic
nationalities.
2. We demand the dissolution of the Slorc's sham National
Convention and the holding of a Tri-partite Dialogue comprised of
representatives of the Slorc, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and pro-
democracy forces, and the ethnic nationalities, for the
resolution of political problems by political means.
3. We demand that the Slorc cease its military operations and
oppression against the ethnic nationalities and other resistance
organizations, while effort are being made to resolve the
principle political problems of the country by political means.
4. We demanded the postponement of the acceptance of Burma as a
member of Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) until
there is positive political change. We request that all foreign
investment be withdrawn from Burma and that there be no new
investment until this change occurs.
5. We are resolved to oppose the Slorc's sham programs of
narcotic eradication and cooperate with international narcotic
eradication agencies and organizations.
6. We ardently support the people's movement led by Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi for democracy and the dismantling of the military
dictatorship.
7. We are resolved to strengthen the country-wide coalition body
of the ethnic nationalities, the National Democratic Front (NDF),
so as to make it strong on all sides and at the same time, to
raise the level of mutual understanding support and cooperation
between the ethnic nationalities and pro-democracy forces.
January 15, 1997
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ETHNIC NATIONALITIES SEMINAR
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(Mae Tha Raw Hta)
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MAE THA RAW HTA AGREEMENT
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We leaders of Arakanese, Chin, Kachin, Karen, Karenni, Kayan,
Mon, Pa-O, Pelaung, Lahu, Shan and Wa ethnic nationalities,
representing the various organizations as well as the
nationalities, attended the seminar held from January 7 to 14,
1997 at Mae Tha Raw Hta in Kawthoolei.
We leaders of nationalities mentioned above after frank and
cordial discussions in depth, have agreed upon the following
terms.
1. Agreement Relating to Political Aims
(a) To dismantle the military dictatorship and establish peace in
the country;
(b) To practice the democratic political system;
(c) To achieve the rights of equality and self-determination for
each and every nationality;
(d) To establish a federal union.
2. Agreement Concerning the Slorc's National Convention
The sham National Convention being held by the Slorc, presentl,
is for the perpetuation of military dictatorship. Since
absolutely no rights will be gained for the ethnic nationalities,
we, the Ethnic Nationalities Seminar, do not in any way recognize
the Slorc's National Convention and agree to oppose it.
3. Agreement Regarding Tri-partite Dialogue
We, the Ethnic Nationalities Seminar, accept the tri-partite
dialogue agreed to by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and called for by the
resolutions of the UN and international organizations. The tri-
partite dialogue must include three forces, namely the force
composed of the NDF, UNLD, PDF and other ethnic nationalities,
the pro-democracy force led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the Slorc
military clique.
4. Agreement Relating to Federal Union
We, the Ethnic Nationalities Seminar unanimously agree to
establish a genuine federal union composed of national states
having the full rights of national equality and self-
determination.
5. Agreement Relating to Economic Policy
Regarding the economic policy, we, the Ethnic Nationalities
Seminar, agree to practice market economic system and invite
foreign investments.
However as foreign investments, at present, are benefiting the
Slorc military dictatorship only and increasing its oppressive
power, we strongly object to them.
6. Agreement Relating to Narcotic Drugs
We, the Ethnic Nationalities Seminar, unanimously agree to
cooperate with international narcotic drug eradication
organizations for the eradication of the entire business of
narcotic drugs, including cultivation, production and
trafficking.
7. Agreement Regarding Pro-democracy Forces
We, the Ethnic Nationalities Seminar, agree to raise the fight on
all sides in the fields of politics, diplomacy and people's
action for the dismantling of the Slorc military dictatorship.
In this struggle, we agree also to join hands with the pro-
democracy forces led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and act unitedly
and simultaneously for the achievement of rights of the
nationalities as well as democratic rights.
Moreover, we acknowledge the National League for Democracy (NLD),
led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as the winner of 1990 general
election in accordance with the true will of the people and
democratic process, we fully support all acts of opposition
against the Slorc, by it.
8. Agreement Relating to ASEAN
We, the Ethnic Nationalities Seminar, agree to send letters to
ASEAN requesting it to delay, indefinitely, acceptance of Burma
under the Slorc, as a member of the organization.
9. Agreement Relating to Alliance
We, the Ethnic Nationalities Seminar, agree unanimously to help
develop the National Democratic Front (NDF), the nation-wide
alliance body of the ethnic nationalities, into a politically
militarily and organizationally more solid entity.
10. Agreement on Reunion
We, the Ethnic Nationalities Seminar, agree to maintain and
implement the results of the seminar and to have a reunion at
least once a year.
SIGNATORIES
1. GEN AUNG THAN LAY (KARENNI NATIONAL PROGRESSIVE PARTY )
2. COL. KHUN OKKER (PA-O PEOPLE LIBERATION ORGANISATION )
3. COL. MA HA SANN (WA NATIONAL ORGANISATION )
4. COL. SAI PAO SING (UNITED WA STATE PARTY )
5. MAR AIK PHONE (PALAUNG STATE LIBERATION FRONT )
6. COL. ZAU SENG (KACHIN INDEPENDENT ORGANISATION )
7. KHING MYAT KYAW (ALL ARAKAN STUDENTS AND YOUTH CONGRESS)
8. B. KYA OO (LAHU DEMOCRATIC FRONT )
9. NAI HAN THA (NEW MON STATE PARTY )
10. KHING SOE NAING AUNG (ARAKAN LIBERATION PARTY)
11. KHUN NA RUH (KAYAN NEW LAND PARTY )
12. SAO OAT KESI (SHAN UNITED REVOLUTIONARY ARMY )
13. SLAI SHWE KHA (CHIN NATIONAL FRONT)
14. KHUN HOM (SHAN DEMOCRATIC UNION)
15. GEN. SAW BO MYA (KAREN NATIONAL UNION)
16. INDIVIDUAL DELEGATES
I. CHAO TZANG YAWNPHRE
II. NAW LOUISH BENSON
III. KHUN MARKO BAN
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