The journal, written by a participant, has 53 pages on A-4 type paper plus 99 pages of copies of prepared statements made by leaders of the 12 ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) at the summit conference held in Pang Kham, better known as Panghsang, 1-6 May.

The excerpts here are on the whole selected from speeches made by the Wa leaders.

1 May 2015
The conference is opened by Bao Youxiang, Secretary General of United Wa State Party (UWSP); Commander-in-Chief, United Wa State Army (UWSA); and Chairman, Wa State People’s Government.

“The purpose of the summit is the speedy realization of internal peace. It is also to build a common platform among us prior to political dialogue with the union government for a nationwide peace accord.

We have also applied for an autonomous state status to the union government. In this respect, we hope there will be sympathy, understanding and support from the leaders participating in the summit.

2 May 2015

3. We will never fire the first shot.

We don’t want trouble.

Neither are we afraid when it comes.

4. We will uphold the duty to defend the country when it is under external aggression. But we will not be cajoled into fighting another group inside the country.

16. We welcome the 2015 elections and will respect the decision of the majority. Whichever party wins and becomes our government, we will support and cooperate with it.

17. We welcome the NCA draft that was completed on 31 March.

17. In order to avoid complications, we will not allow any party, except for the UWSP, to set up office and be active in our state.

21. The Wa State believes the country’s problems will be solved only when the constitution is amended.

He then switches to the following unscripted speech:

Dialogue is the only way to achieve peace.

If we are able to create a common platform and the neither government nor the military accepts it but uses force to pressure us, then we will have a just cause to defend ourselves against it.

The president and the military suspect we are trying to form an alliance to fight against them, which is not true. Our main purpose is to explore ways to resolve the country’s problems peacefully.

Our domestic problems will be resolved by the nationalities of the country. We will not support foreign powers meddling in our affairs.

If we take the examples of Afghanistan and Iraq, we will find that their sufferings have prolonged because of the American interference. Did their interference bring an end to the people’s sufferings? No. That’s why our internal problems must be settled by ourselves.
4 May 2015

We support the Wa application for a new statehood.

We happens in Kokang today is because the Burmese government had violated the ceasefire and attacked us in 2009. Therefore the Burma Army must be held accountable.

On 15 February, the Burmese units executed more than 100 people, and in March, more than 20 people in Chinshwehaw. Several Kokangs were arrested in Lashio and Rangoon and executed.

The Burmese government must take responsibility for these acts.

We fully support the Wa call for statehood. We already issued a statement since last year.

We fully support the Wa application for becoming a new state.

We support the Wa demand for an autonomous statehood. We also hope leaders will support our own demand for a self administered zone status.

We pray that the Wa achieve a statehood.

5 May 2015

One from each group holds meeting “practically” discussing the draft statement prepared by the host.

6 May 2015

Today the summit reviews the draft statement which lasts from 08:55-18:05 until it is approved and the summit concludes.

Xiao Minliang

Since the conflict is taking place along the Chinese border, the (peace keeping) supervision of China and the UN is necessary. Similarly, if it takes place along the Thai border, it should be the UN and Thailand that are supervising it.

Master of Ceremony

For statement Point #10, the Chinese version says the UWSP will take the leading role in the political dialogue. It seems to be different from the Burmese version.

The Burmese version is correct. How the representative body will be formed and who leads it are to be decided at the next summit as stated in Point #12.

Statement of the Panghsang summit:

1. Resolution of the civil war through political means
2. Inclusion of EAOs yet to conclude ceasefire with the government in the signing of the NCA
3. Cessation of government offensives in Kachin, Palaung, Kokang and Arakan areas
4. Curbs on further human rights abuse
5. Amendment of 2008 constitution to build up a federal union based on democracy, racial equality and right of self determination
6. There will be no secession from the union
7. Welcomes UN and China’s efforts to bring about cessation of hostilities in northern Burma and the signing of the NCA
8. Nationwide political dialogue must include representatives from government, parliament, Tatmadaw (Burmese military), political parties, the people and the EAOs
9. Need to cultivate the spirit of peaceful co-existence among different nationalities
10. EAOs will form a representative body to hold talks with the government
11. The majority EAOs attending the summit have shown understanding and support for the Wa call for a state level status
12. More meetings hosted by the United Wa State Party will be held in order to further discuss and implement the points agreed at the summit