Negotiations between Naypyitaw and the country’s outlying states cannot avoid dealing with the 1947 Panglong Agreement, due to its unique attribute of being the foundation of the Union, said a Shan representative from the Thai-Burmese border, speaking at Chiang Mai University yesterday.
“It is far from being null and void,” declared Herng Fa, echoing what Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) have been saying at every opportunity.
“It is good news to us that Thein Sein Government is going to hold another Panglong,” said Lt-Gen Yawdserk, Chairman of the RCSS, the political arm of the Shan State Army (SSA) ‘South’, two days after he met U Aung Min, special envoy from Naypyitaw on 19 November, and agreed to send a delegation for further talks in the Shan State capital Taunggyi. “But the terms of Panglong are non-negotiable. What we must discuss is how we can implement them today.”
U Aung Min had outlined a 3 stage reconciliation process at the meeting: ceasefire, development and a Panglong-like conference.
Kachin News Group also reported yesterday that the position of Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), whose leadership met Naypyitaw’s delegation in China’s border town Ruili yesterday, was that the 1947 Panglong Agreement should serve as the basis for any agreement.
The Panglong Agreement, reached on 12 February 1947 between Burma, Chin, Kachin and Shan, and beginning with the words “believing that freedom will be more speedily achieved” by “cooperation” among them, contains 9 clauses:
Clause 1-4. A representative from the Frontier Areas would be appointed a minister to deal with the affairs of the Frontier Areas, and two others as his deputies.
Clause 5. Full autonomy in internal administration for the Frontier Areas
Clause 6. To create a Kachin State
Clause 7. Rights and privileges regarded as fundamental in democratic countries
Clause 8. Financial autonomy vested in Shan State shall not be prejudiced
Clause 9. Kachin and Chin Hills shall be entitled to financial assistance from the revenues of Burma. The feasibility of adopting financial arrangements similar to Shan State shall be examined.
The Agreement has never been implemented since independence in 1948.
Other speakers at the Chiangmai University included Toe Zaw Latt, Democratic Voice of Burma; and Hkawng Seng Pan, Kachin Women’s Association.
