The EC’s chairman is Maj Awng Moeng and vice chairman Maj Lao Hseng, the movement’s spokesman. It was formed on Monday, 13 January, the last day of the meeting.

“Sao Yawdserk has requested that the new chairman be chosen from lieutenant-colonels upwards and he himself not be included among the nominess,” Peun Kham explained.

There are 10 officers who hold the rank of lieutenant colonels and upwards in the RCSS/SSA’s operational areas, according to an SSA senior officer.

Apart from the incumbent vice chairmen, Maj Gen Sai Yi and Col Kherh Ngeun, two commanders appear to stand out among the commanders: Brig Gen Pawng Kherh, who has been leading the group’s peace talks delegation, and Lt-Col Gawn Zeun, commander of the Kengtung sector.

“Others are less at home with political issues than the said two,” he said. “They are also more well-received among the group’s brass.”

Yawdserk meanwhile says his stepping down doesn’t mean he is leaving the armed struggle he had led for 18 years. “But I would like to be sure that the cause will be able to move forward without me at the helm,” he told SHAN last Saturday. “For this purpose, I would be happy to serve as a counsel to the new leader.”

The election is due to be held in mid-February.

After the news came out yesterday, one ethnic leader commented, “Maybe Yawdserk wants to be like (Senior General) Than Shwe, directing affairs from behind the scenes.”

Yawdserk also urged his commanders to strictly adhere to the decisions of the RCSS/SSA’s pervious bi-annual and annual meetings. Among them are:

• Until the termination of peace talks, the SSA will continue to exercise constant vigilance
• There will be no conscription at present. Enlistment in the SSA will be on a voluntary basis.
• Tax will be imposed on big businesses. Small companies and the people will be exempted.
• Members are prohibited from engaging in the drug trade.