Loi Taileng — Nippon Foundation, the Japanese organization that has been active in Burma’s peace process since early last year, has warned the Thai-border based Restoration Council of Shan State / Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) that further aid to the group would be reviewed if it refuses to participate in the activities of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), according to insider sources from the RCSS/SSA.
The UNFC is the alliance formed in 2011 by 11 armed movements in February 2011. The RCSS/SSA is not a member but has attended some of its meetings.
Along with member organizations of the UNFC, it had received a donation, 6,000 bags of rice, in March from the foundation.
RCSS/SSA leaders however were reluctant to either provide details or comment on the incident. “There is nothing to be gained by saying much about it,” said a leading member. “Suffice it to say we have nothing against the UNFC. But we hope our right of self determination is respected by others concerned.”
One speculation from a participant at the RCSS/SSA ad hoc meeting on 23 April to discuss the draft framework for political dialogue, prepared by the Working Group for Ethnic Coordination (WGEC), formed jointly by both UNFC and non-UNFC resistance organizations in June 2012, was that the foundation’s notification originated in some individual members of the UNFC. “As such, it may not be fair to blame the whole alliance,” he said.
The RCSS/SSA reply to the foundation was that it would “respect the foundation’s decision,” he added.
Nippon Foundation’s chairman Yohei Sasakawa was appointed by the Shinzo Abe government as special envoy to facilitate reconciliation in Burma on 19 February. A “frank and friendly” talks in Chiangmai between Naypyitaw’s Union Peacemaking Work Committee (UPWC) and the UNFC was held on the next day under his auspices.
