Day Four. Friday, 5 March 2016

Let us never negotiate out of fear.

But let us never fear to negotiate.

John F. Kennedy (1917-1963)

It was Sai Aung Tun who taught me how to read and write Shan, and to love many things (not all) about Shan.

Not only me, but also thousands like me who became his students.

No wonder several of them are present at the ceremony held at M3 Food Center: Hkun Tun Oo, Sao Hso Ten, Sao Khwan Moeng, Sai Nood, Dr Naw Kherh, Sai Ai Pao, Dr Hsang Ai, Dr Sai Hsarm Tun (who delivers an address of appreciation), Nang Hawm Lake (whom I had known during my years in Taunggyi as Shirley Lake) and Nang Bo Tip (the widow of Sao Man Fa, the last ruling prince of Monghsu), among others.

The last of them always bring to mind two people I know: Sao Yin Aung (her stepson who wrote the bestseller Village of the Generals in 1990s before his death) and her late husband Sao Man Fa.

According to Sao Yin Aung, pen-named TNT, he was a close friend of the military leaders who took power in 1960. Most of the Saofas (princes) had been detained, but he hadn’t been. But finally he too was summoned to the all powerful Military Intelligence Office. He was asked to sign a prepared statement disavowing the Shan State’s right of secession, as enshrined in the 1947 constitution. “We hope you won’t be thickheaded like the Saofa of Hsipaw (Sao Kya Seng, who disappeared after being detained, but became immortalized by Twilight over Burma, memoirs of his Austrian consort Inge Sargent),” he was reportedly advised.

“My father”, said TNT, “wasn’t particularly a brave man. He liked women and he loved his pampered life. But it was a matter of principle. It wasn’t just about him but the whole Shan State. So he put down the pen that was handed to him and told the colonel, ‘I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I cannot sign it’. The colonel’s face hardened. Then he ordered the guard, ‘Take the Sawbwagyi (Saofalong) away’. After three weeks at the notorious Ye Kyi Aing camp, he joined other Shan leaders at Insein and was released only 6 years later.”

I have never forgotten what he had told me (it is in his memoirs) and remembering it never fails to evoke deep emotions in my mind.

She asks me if I can find a copy of it, which is in fact published by the Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN), that I had founded with the late Hsengzeun Soikhamhuang in 1991. I promise her I’ll be bringing her the book next time I come.

The ceremony, where Sai Aung Tun and his colleague Tun Aung Chain, who wrote one of the books I’ve kept on my shell for reference, Flowing Water, were conferred the Shantidoot (Santi Doota, in Pali, which means Messenger for Peace) by India’s World Peace Movement Trust, lasts an hour, after which we are treated to an early lunch.

Today we move to a very pleasant hotel, Golden Butterfly, owned by Joseph aka Yawthat, a Lisu millionaire from Mogok, who also happens to be a friend of a mutual friend.

Then a visit to the bookshops in Pansodan where I manage to pick up 3 old books reprinted, one of them a memoir of Panglong by San Aung.

At 18:00, I’m with Hkun Tun Oo, Sao Hso Ten and Sao Yawdserk to meet Dr Tin Myo Win, who’s been tipped to be deputy in the yet to be formed peace commission headed by Ms Suu Kyi.

The message the leaders are giving to him is that they are ready to work with the new government in pursuit of peace and the amendment of the 2008 constitution, both of which are the common objectives of both parties.

Dr Tin Myo Win, who says his maternal grandmother was a Shan, also happens to be the chairman of the Association of Luyechun, students selected as outstanding ones during the rule of the socialist government. As it is, I also happen to one of the chosen in 1966. Naturally, I inform him about it, and offer myself at his disposal if he ever thinks he needs me, whether it be for peace or, more importantly, for educational reform.

I spend the rest of the evening pleasantly at Highlanders Restaurant, located at the busy Myanmar Cultural Valley, near the western gate of the Shwe Dagon.

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