Day Four, Tuesday, 17 November 2015
If we cannot now end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.
John F. Kennedy
I’m not an official participant in the JICM. But I’m one of the three official advisers to the Restoration Council of Shan State/SSA-S (RCSS/SSA-S) participant, Col. Sai La. That’s why I’m here at the meeting. The others are Col. Hsiao Harn, RCSS chief JMC representative, and Brig. Gen. Pawng Kherh, RCSS chief UPDJC representative.
U Aung Min, during his opening remarks, promises to fully implement the NCA and leave a firm foundation for the next government to carry on. “We will also not leave those who are yet to sign the NCA behind,” he declares.
The two sides today discuss several topics, including political prisoners, NCA ratification in the parliament, and the participation of political parties in the UPDJC.
- On the issue of political prisoners
“The main obstacle is that the President can do nothing until the judiciary process has run its course,” according to U Aung Min. “Amnesty can be granted, after the final verdict is pronounced by the judges.
- On parliamentary ratification of the NCA
“We will request that the President forward the EAOs’ desire to the parliament,” he promises. “And if the process may take too long, we will ask to place the NCA on parliamentary record, which is easier and also legally binding.”
(This is what I have written, after hearing him. “Take what you’re given, but keep on asking what is yet to be given.”)
- On participation by political parties in the UPDJC
- To call a meeting of political parties to choose a 16 member UPDJC on 21 November
- To hold the tripartite UPDJC (government, EAOs and political parties) on 24 November
At 17:00, we are picked up by a car which takes us to Vice President No. 1 Sai Mauk Kham’s residence. For readers who have yet to read my earlier journals, I would like to inform them here that we used to be schoolmates during my pre-jungle days.
On our arrival, he hands me a sheaf of paper containing his clarification that he had won fair and square at the polls and had not cheated, as reported in the media. The documents are in three languages: Shan, Burmese and English.
We spend about one hour talking about the old days. Then at 19:00, we take leave.
Day Five, Wednesday, 18 November 2015
Peace is not only the journey’s end.
It is the way.
(Anonymous)
Today, the JICM signs approval for the military CoC (Code of Conduct) and the TOR (Terms of Reference) for the JMCs. It has also agreed that the TOR for the liaison offices should be drafted.
Other topics discussed and agreed include:
- JMC-S (State level) for Arakan
The EAOs’ reasoning that refusal to give equal status to ALP/ALA would not set a good example for EAOs that are yet to sign the NCA. The government agrees to reconsider it.
- Civilian representatives for JMC. Three from each side are nominated and approved. They will be appointed vice chairmen on six-month rotations. The first vice chairman is U Pyay Sone, former Minister for Economic Affairs.
- Appointment of JMC officials. The appointment will be published in a press release. Publication in government gazettes will be carried out only after more EAOs have joined the NCA signing.
(The press release is duly issued and published on state media two days later, without mentioning the military ranks of the EAO members.
My favorite writer, Barbara Tuchman has something to say about this in her acclaimed The March of Folly:
“They (the British leaders) considered them (the Americans) rabble or at best children whom it was inconceivable to treat as equals. In all their communications, the British could not bring themselves to refer to the opposite Commander-in-Chief as General Washington but only as Mister.”
- Invitation of non-signatories to political dialogues. The EAOs propose that they should be invited, not as observers, but as special invitees so they have the right to air their views, without seeking the services of the signatories. The government agrees to consider it. (The latest information says the government is more than likely to accept the proposition)
The JICM further agrees that the JMC-S will be formed initially in the Shan State, which will be in December. The date however is yet to be fixed.
Day Six, Seven, Eight and Nine, 19-22 November 2015
I have very little to say here but that I had quite a good time traveling by car to Taunggyi and that I had an enjoyable stay there with my relatives, friends and our young reporters at SHAN’s branch office there.
One thing, however, sticks in my mind. On the way from Kalaw to Heho (Haiwo in Shan), we saw wild sunflowers blooming in abundance on both sides of the road.
I told my fellow wayfarers that in Thailand, especially in Mae Hong Son, they mean the annual tourist season has begun. My young friends claimed that back in Burma, they have a different meaning. And what’s that? I asked. They smiled and answered that the flower’s name, in Burmese, is “Shans cannot be victorious.” I smiled back and reminded myself, no matter how the peace process is going, I must not forget that I’m in a different world.
For instance, aren’t the Thais still known as “Yodaya” (Who can be defeated), a Burmese corrupt term for Ayuddhaya (who cannot be defeated), the name of their old capital?
Fortunately, educational reform is one of the political dialogue topics proposed by the EAOs since 2012. I just hope it is included in the upcoming framework for political dialogue (FPD) drafting.
By SAI KHUENSAI / Director of Pyidaungsu Institute and Founder of Shan Herald Agency for News (S.H.A.N)
All views expressed are the author’s own.
