The workshop was first held in Mindat, in southern Chin State on November 24 and 25. A second workshop was offered in Teddim on November 28 and 29, and a third was conducted in Falam in northern Chin State on December 1 and 2.

“The focus was to make people aware of rural development issues,” said Salai Thiang Uk Thang, General Secretary (1) of the CNP.

Mr. Zo Zam, President of CNP, Salai Ceu Bik Thawng, General Secretary of CNP, Salai Thiang Uk Thang, Salai Tin Roger and Salai Myo Chit conducted the training.

“We are satisfied and learned something from the workshop but it was of a very short duration,” said a trainee from Teddim .

“The workshop showed us how to struggle for freedom from oppression,” said a trainee from Mindat .

This type of training was done legally for the first time in Chin State. Local people were afforded the opportunity to learn more about political and human rights issues in Chin State since 1990.

The CNP representative could not participate when US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met several ethnic political parties in Rangoon last Friday. This was because the CNP party leaders were conducting the workshops in Chin State.
 
“We did receive a formal invitation, but we could not rearrange our schedules to meet Mrs. Clinton, ” said a member of the CNP.

Mrs. Hillary Clinton met Mr. No Than Kap, President of the Chin Progressive Party; RNDP Secretary Oo Hla Saw; Sao Yun Paing of the SNDP; Nai Khin Maung of the All Mon Region Democracy Party; Dr. Sai Montha of the Kayin People’s Party; and Sai Saw Aung of the SNLD. Khonumthung news