From 29-31 October, the Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Committee (JMC) members from both sides met at the Myanmar Peace Center (MPC) on Shweli Lane off 4 Wisara Road, Rangoon.
My job is to render assistance and advice when the EAO’s representatives—particularly those from the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army-South (RCSS/SSA-S)—need it.
As my time is running out, this is obviously the only thing I can do.
Wednesday, 28 October 2015
The wise knows fire is dangerous and avoids it.
The fool meanwhile thinks
With his fool’s luck, he may find a way to harness it.
Anonymous
Today, I’m leaving for Rangoon.
The day begins with breaking news all over the Internet of the US-China naval confrontation in the Spratly Islands, where a US destroyer has sailed within the 12-nautical mile boundary around an artificial island built by China.
The incident coincides with an invitation from the Panghsang-based (Pangkham) United Wa State Party/Army (UWSP/UWSA) to ten non-NCA (Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement) signatories for a “summit” on 1-3 November. The two main topics will be the November 8 elections and the peace process in its aftermath.
Prior to the invitation, on September 4, Panghsang issued a statement which, in essence, declared it would not be a signatory, as it had already promised China’s Yunnan government that it would sign only if Naypyitaw agreed to “inclusiveness,” meaning not leaving out any group, especially the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), better known as the Kokang armed group.
Before the JMC meeting, the EAOs hold a pre-meeting from 19:00-21:30 at the Green Hill Hotel, where they also are staying for the duration.
Maj. Gen. Isaac Po of the Karen National Union (KNU) is chosen to deliver an opening remark tomorrow. Leading discussants will be Padoh Ta Do Moo (KNU) and Dr Sui Khar (CNF).
Apart from the Military Code of Conduct (CoC) and Terms of Reference (TOR) for the JMCs, there are other topics, like confirmation of the JMC-Union level, the signed copies of the NCA yet to be received, and the parliamentary ratification of the NCA at the earliest date possible.
Ta Do Moo, like Kwe Htoo Win, is a great asset for the EAOs with his expertise in the subject and his experience gained during the two-year-long NCCT-UPWC (Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team-Union Peacemaking Working Committee) negotiations.
Dr Sui Khar also is an indispensable negotiator with his great sense of humor and resourcefulness. “If there are ten Chins like him,” remarked one of the MPC officials, “there will be no need for us Burmans to run the country.”
Thursday, 29 October 2015
One who is good at martial arts overcomes others’ forces without battle.
From The Art of War by Sun Tzu, Ch. 3
The JMC-Union Level’s first meeting starts with opening speeches:
- “The government will strictly honor the promise made in the NCA.”
(U Khin Maung Soe, government’s chair)
- “Sun Tzu says ‘To win without fighting is best’. To do it requires winning the hearts of the people on the other side. Only then genuine peace can be achieved.”
(Maj. Gen. Isaac Po, EAOs’ chairman)
The day’s accomplishment is the agreement on the Military Code of Conduct (CoC) draft presented by the EAOs, thanks especially to Ta Do Moo and the government’s Lt-Gen. Ye Aung, both veterans of the two-year-long NCA negotiations.
It should be noted here that on the government’s side, the latter is the only old hand. Others are either newcomers or were passive participants during the NCA negotiation days. Whereas others are hesitant, he is forthright. He compares the CoC draft with Ch. 3 (Ceasefire related matters) and Ch. 4 (Maintaining and strengthening the ceasefire) of the NCA and on finding no disparities, he just says, “This point should go ahead.” The rest just agree with him.
The day’s session is followed by the daily press conference and interviews. I remember being asked why there are non-signatory groups, if the NCA is just fine as it is.
My answer: “This is the classic example of the half-full/half-empty glass of water metaphor. The signers think it’s half-full and the non-signers think it’s half-empty.”
From 19:00-21:00, the EAOs hold a review session of the day.
Two of the topics that take up the bulk of the time are:
- Whether or not to accept the government’s proposal that the JMC-Union’s formation be published in the government’s official gazette. Some of the leaders think it’s a good idea, making it more binding. The others are not sure. In the end, it is decided to refer the decision-making to the planned summit in November.
- How to form the JMC-State/Region (JMC-S) level. With smaller states, the government’s proposal that the EAOs’ JMC-S deal directly with the corresponding regional command of the Burma Army isn’t a problem. However with three EAOs, there are questions to be answered:
- The Arakan Liberation Party/Army (ALP/ALA) wants to know why there will be no JMC-S for the Arakan/Rakhine State. The government says it hasn’t been fighting enough to warrant a JMC. So what should they do to make it worth it?
- The KNU’s armed wing—the KNLA (Karen National Liberation Army)—is spread out in areas under two regional commands: the Southeast and Coastal. Does it mean that the KNLA forces should regroup inside the area operated by one of the regional commands?
- The same goes for the RCSS, whose SSA-S operates in some 19 townships in Shan State in areas under four regional commands of the Burma Army. It is clear it will not agree to regroup in one single area.
Then comes the shock. I’m named as the opening remarks speaker for tomorrow. I ask them whether it’s appropriate, as I’m not a member of any EAO. They say not being a member should be the best reason.
I accept it — reluctantly. I later spend some time trying to think of what t say. That’s how I fall asleep.
By SAI KHUENSAI / Director of Pyidaungsu Institute and Founder of Shan Herald Agency for News (S.H.A.N)
The views expressed are the author’s own.
