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.
Friday, 30 October 2015
The best conqueror does not need to do battle.
From Dao De Jing, by Lao Zi, whose philosophy reportedly forms the basis for Sun Tzu’s The Art of War 
On October 15, after the NCA signing, I called on Sai Kham Leik, the Shans’ celebrated songwriter, and his wife Dr Nwe Tin. We were old friends during my school days in Mandalay, 46 years ago.
He showed me the lyrics the new song he had just written in honor of the peace process. The title at once catches my eyes and conquered my heart:
“Draw equals win-win”
I wake up remembering it and make up my mind to talk about it in my planned speech.
It never comes. The two sides decide there will only be closing remarks at the end of the meeting tomorrow.
Half of the day is spent re-reading the COC draft agreed upon yesterday and straightening out the language.
Later in the day we discuss the JMC-S (State/Region level).
- On the JMC-S for Rakhine State, it is agreed to refer the decision to the JICM meeting on 16-17 November.
- On the JMC-Ss for the KNU/KNLA and the RCSS/SSA, the government explains that one regional commander is designated as the focal/contact point for dealing with each EAO, which has nothing to do with regrouping the EAO units inside one regional command area.
So the misunderstandings are finally cleared. All the same, it is made known that the final decision will be coming from the corresponding EAOs.
The meeting also agrees that the civilian vice-chairperson of the JMC should preferably be a woman.
The tough nut to crack is the TOR (Terms of Reference) for the JMC. While the negotiation over the CoC took only half of a day, we learn the TOR will take us more than a day—in fact, several days, which is understandable, because while the CoC deals only with “Do’s and Don’ts,” the TOR is dealing with “How To.”
We hold a dinner party today, not knowing whether or not we will have time to do it tomorrow.
I chat with one of the BSO (Bureau of Special Operations) chiefs, Lt-Gen Min Naung, who tells me he’s three-quarters Shan from Homalin (Hom Mark Lang means “Jack Tree Shade” in Shan). He used to be the commander at the Central Eastern Region Command. He says he’s a great friend to Maj Deving, the RCSS/SSA-S’s liaison officer there, but a greater friend to Wanhai, the headquarters of the RCSS’s brother organization, Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army-North (SSPP/SSA-N).
“I had tried to meet Gen. Pang Fa (leader of the SSPP/SSA-N), but somehow he was not able to meet me,” he said. “So the relationship between us has not greatly developed as it should be.”
On my way back, one thing occurs or, to be precise, reoccurs to me. I ask myself why it is called “Bureau of Special Operations,” whose initials are BSO, and not “Special Operations Bureau.” Well, I smile to myself, the same thing must have occurred to the Burmese commanders too.
Saturday, 31 October 2015
Those who come seeking peace without a treaty are plotting.
From The Art of War by Sun Tzu
Today, a lot has been decided. Also a lot is left undecided, pending the JMC-2 on 13-14 November.
Decisions include:
- -Gen. Ya Pyay – Chairman
Maj.-Gen. Isaac Po – Vice Chairman #1 (#2 will be a civilian)
Secretary #1 – Dr Sui Khar
Secretary #2 – Col Wunna Aung (Kokang battle veteran)
There are ten members on each side. Known NCA veterans include, on the government side: Lt.-Gen. Ye Aung, retired Lt.-Gen. Myint Soe, Dr. Min Zaw Oo and U Khin Maung Soe; and (on the EAO side) Ta Do Moo.
- -Gen. Ye Aung is designated as an alternate chairman, when or if Lt.-Gen. Ya Pyay is unable to perform his duties.
- Military CoC is adopted
- There will be two civilian representatives from each side in the JMC-S (State/Region level)
- Each JMC-S will form Verification Teams (VTs) to verify alleged violations
- The JMC will be responsible for implementing the rehabilitation of refugees and IDPs until special committees are formed to deal with the matter
During the afternoon coffee break (tea break for me), I am given a copy of the reply from the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) to the EAOs’ leader Padoh Kwe Htoo Win.
The two-page letter can be condensed to two points:
The non-signatories will not join the signatories in drafting the Framework for Political Dialogue (FPD) and CoC, or working together in forming the JMCs and holding political dialogue (PD), because:
- The signatories had held the JICM and formed the JMC and UPDJC before consulting with the non-signatories
- Cooperation with the signatories can be only considered at the UNFC CEC meeting
The implication seems to be quite clear: there might be no cooperation between the two camps from now on.
This comes right after the invitation by the UWSP/UWSA to the non-signatories for a meeting at its Sino-Burmese stronghold, Panghsang (officially renamed Pan Kham) on 1-3 November.
The big question mark now is: Is there going to be a new, pro-Chinese alliance?
This is followed by smaller, but not less critical, questions:
- If so, how will the Americans react to it?
- Will there be an anti-Chinese alliance led by Naypyitaw?
- And how will the EAOs respond to it?
- What’s happening? Is what we are doing ostensibly for peace, but really for war?
I return to Green Hill, trying to comfort myself with the words from my teacher:
Speak or act with a pure mind
And happiness will follow you
As your shadow, unshakable
But I tell you. It’s not easy.
Sunday, 1 November 2015
The task of a military operation is to accord deceptively with the intentions of the enemy.
From The Art of War by Sun Tzu
Today is the EAOs’ review session, where they discuss the timeline before the JMC-2, (13-14 November, in Naypyitaw) and at least two other matters:
- Timeline:
5-7 November EAOs’ JMC meeting in Chiang Mai
8-10 November EAOs’ ‘summit’ also in Chiang Mai
- The role of foreign governments and international organizations which, according to Paragraph 12 (C) of the NCA, will be “involved in the ongoing peace process, either as observers, advisors or to provide necessary technical assistance at different levels of the Joint Monitoring Committee.”
- The proposal by the military to include the Security Sector Reform/Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (SSR/DDR) in the JMC’s job description
All decide that the last two issues will be referred to the ‘summit.’
Anyway, I’m back to Chiang Mai on the next day.
My son, who is at the airport to pick me up, later counts the reimbursements in Burmese currency for my expenses during the last four trips I have made, and say I’m now a proud millionaire.
“How much?” I ask him. He replies it’s about 1.3 million kyat, the equivalent of $1,000.
So I’m a millionaire now, but not a rich man.
By Sai Khuensai / Director of Pyidaungsu Institute and Founder of Shan Herald Agency for News (S.H.A.N)
