Recent survey conducted in 39 townships has called for repeal of 4 of the 8 point peace guideline set by the Thein Sein government, according to a copy of the survey results received by SHAN this morning.
They were made known at the 3-day Shan conference titled Trustbuilding for Peace, which was held at Tawwin Hninzi on Shwe Gondaing Road which ended yesterday.
“Point # 5, 6, 7 an 8, being unworkable, should be withdrawn,” was among the recommendations made by 2,569 respondents to the questionnaire.
The 8 point guideline, as announced by President Thein Sein in March and later by the Union Peacemaking Work Committee (UPWC), include:
- To remain forever in the Union
- To accept the Three National Causes i.e. Non-disintegration of the Union, Non-disintegration of National Sovereignty and Perpetuation of National Sovereignty
- To cooperate in economic and development tasks legally
- To cooperate in the elimination of narcotic drugs
- To set up political parties and enter elections
- To accept the (2008) constitution and to make necessary amendments in the parliament by majority consent
- To fully enter the legal fold for permanent peace and live, move, work and consume in accord with the constitution
- To coordinate existence of only a single armed forces in accord with the constitution
Others, meanwhile, call for the rewriting of the 2008 constitution. “As long as (it) remains a talking point, no genuine peace talks will emerge,” warn the respondents.
Noteworthy responses include:
- Genuine federal system 87%
- Shan parties should merge 97%
- Shan armed armies should merge 88%
- Teaching of local ethnic languages at school 93%
- Shan State and its people should have the right to enjoy benefits from its natural resources 100%
- Conservation of natural resources 94%
SHAN is still unable to interview the meeting’s spokespersons for other details.
According to the press release, the meeting has vowed to work together for “a Peace Process of No Retreat.”
