Burma News International

 

14 October 2004

 

 

Ceasefire congress endorses new leadership

 

October 14, 2004 Shan Herald Agency for News

 

The Third Congress of the Shan State Peace Council, a joint meeting of

two ceasefire groups, Shan State Army (SSA) "North" and Shan State

National Army (SSNA), held Oct. 3-5 in northern Shan State's Hsipaw

township, virtually re-elected previous leaders to guide the alliance

for the next four years, reports a Thai source returning from Burma:

 

"There are only two noticeable changes," said the Thai of Shan origin,

currently employed by a Thai firm.  "The new general secretary is Col.

Sai Du and the new head of military affairs is Col. Sai Yi.  The rest

remain the same."

 

Pangyang-born Sai Du, who in 1973 had been assigned by the Shan State

Army to liaise with Luo Xinghan, then proclaimed by anti-narcotic

agencies as the opium king, was nabbed by Thai police and extradited

to Rangoon together with Luo. He rejoined his old outfit upon his

release. He was also one of the participants at the May 17-July 9

National Convention.

 

Col. Gaifah, acting general secretary since the sudden death of its

former office holder, Col. Gunyawd, on March 14, was re-elected vice

president-2, a post he had held since the Second Congress in 2000.

 

Col. Sai Yi, the new leader of the SSNA since Gunyawd's passing, and

acknowledged as the most capable military strategist in the group,

succeeded Col. Pangfah, commander of the SSA First Brigade, as chief

of military affairs. He had joined the resistance in 1976 together

with the SSA South leader Col. Yawdserk. "Sai Yi loves politics,"

commented a senior SSNA officer, "but he is only at home with martial

subjects."

 

The source also said that, contrary to a S.H.A.N. report Sept. 20, the

SSPC had yet to make any final decision whether or not to attend the

next session of the National Convention until a meeting of 13

ceasefire groups that co-signed the federal proposal at the last

session is held in the near future. "The prevailing undercurrent, no

doubt, is to attend it," he added.

 

S.H.A.N. had reported then that the SSPC would be sending its

representatives to the next session of the National Convention,

causing some concerns among its other allies.

 

During S.H.A.N.'s last interview with Gaifah, he quoted officials

from "one of Burma's neighboring countries" as saying "the show should

go on with firm principles and flexible approaches."

 

The National Convention, according to Rangoon, is to resume in the

coming open season but the exact date is yet to be announced.

 

The SSPC which was formed in 1996, held the Third Congress in the

second and third week of August to elect its leadership. It elected -

Maj. Gen. Hsoten as president, Maj. Gen. Loimao vice president and

Col. Gaifah general secretary.

 

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Burma News International is a network of nine exiled media groups

such as Mizzima News, Shan Herald Agency for News, Kao Wao News Group,

Khonumthung News Group, Narinjara News, Kaladan Press Network,

Independent Mon News Agency, Karenni Information

Network Group and Network Media Group.

 

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