The Restoration Council of Shan State / Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) that had concluded a ceasefire pact with the Thein Sein government last December announced yesterday one of the three key topics to be discussed at the next union level meeting will be cooperation against drugs.

“It is destroying our new generation and hence the future of our country,” said a draft proposal seen by SHAN last month. “It has also been tarnishing the reputation of the country for so long. But now that a ceasefire has been achieved to resolve our political problems within the country by political means, we think it is time we join hands together to deal with the drug question.”

According to the statement, dated 8 May 2012, that was released yesterday, the SSA South, as the RCSS/SSA is popularly known, had formed a drug eradication committee at the meeting held on 7 May at its Loi Taileng base, opposite Maehongson.

The draft proposal also calls for coordination and cooperation with government departments concerned, the armed movements all of which have been more or less tainted by drugs, the people, neighboring countries and the international community. “We cannot do it alone,” said Lt-Gen Yawd Serk, the SSA leader. “Nobody can do it alone.”

Cooperation against drug is included in the second stage of the peace process declared by President Thein Sein in his speech to the parliament on 1 March.

“Everyone who has a gun is involved,” said a Palaung leader years ago.

Shan State, the biggest state in the Union, boasts a horde of armed organizations beginning with the Burma Army, followed by militia forces run by it and the armed resistance movements that have been either fighting against it or have reached truce with it.

Groups that have signed ceasefire agreements	Groups yet to sign ceasefire agreements
Restoration Council of Shan State / Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) Shan State Progress Party / Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) United Wa State Party / United Wa State Army (UWSP/UWSA) National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) Kayan New Land Party (KNLP) *since 1994*	Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF) PaO National Liberation Organization (PNLO) Lahu Democratic Union (LDU) Wa National Organization (WNO) Kachin Independence Organization / Kachin Independence Army (KIO/KIA) *Its 4th Brigade is active in Shan State’s top north*

Burma Army-run Border Guard Forces (BGFs) and People Militia Forces (PMFs), with investments from financiers in neighboring countries, are increasingly well known for their involvement in drug production and trafficking.

Burma Army, forced to stand on their own feet, are also deeply involved especially in the protection and transportation sectors.

Beside drugs, the SSA South has proposed to discuss resettlement of the IDPs and agricultural project, according to Yawd Serk. The meeting has been set for 19 May in Kengtung, capital of Shan State East, 160 km north of Thailand’s Mae Sai. Academics, legal experts and the international media are also expected to witness the event.