On the 10 June in the morning, Myanmar’s government led by President Thein Sein and the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army’s (RCSS/SSA) delegation led by Lt-Gen Yawdserk met in Naypyitaw for a discussion on the future of the country. Following the meeting between the two leaders, from 13.00 to 14.00, Yawdserk held a press conference at Tungapuri Hotel in Naypyitaw. The following are excerpts from the Q&A at the press conference.


Q: United Wa State Army (UWSA) has repeatedly demanded the Naypyitaw establish its own autonomous state independent from Shan State. What is your comment on that?

A: It depends on the people’s will and their decision. I have no further comment on it.

Q: It has been rumored that the RCSS/SSA’s visit to Naypyitaw signifies a joint-operation with government and a plan to fight against the UWSA. What is your comment?

A: Our delegation’s visit to Naypyitaw is not just for the interests of RCSS/SSA alone. We stand for all the citizens of Shan State. Therefore, our visit is also for the benefit of UWSA. There is no plan to attack the UWSA by joining with the government army. There is nothing to worry about.

Q: How about the SSA Task Force 701 base that the government army carried out an attack against last month?

A: That was a very sad occurrence since the ceasefire agreement was signed 2 years ago. I think, there are a couple of reasons for this happening: 1) although we have some liaison offices across Shan State they were not fully used or operative on a full scale, and2) there is no monitoring organization to watch over the situation. If there was such monitoring team, the unnecessary and unwanted situation could have been prevented.

Q: By the way, is your visit to Naypyitaw being influenced by the Chinese?

A: Not at all. There is no third power influencing our visit to Naypyitaw. Our delegates have been invited by the Union Peacemaking Working Committee (UPWC).

Q: It has been rumored that the Myanmar government has urged you to establish a political party. Are you planning to form one soon?

A: I have not thought of establishing a political party at this point. Our priority is to begin a political dialog with the government and upon our convincing, we will consider if we need a political party.

Q: Is there any co-operation between United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) and RCSS?

A: RCSS is not a member of the UNFC.

Q: It has been reported that UNFC stands for all the ethnicities and are the sole representatives available for the country. Then, RCSS/SSA will stand alone as an actor. Is that right?

A: We will meet to have discussions with all organizations for the future of Shan State, together with all the people and ethnicities concerned; everyone will be included. We will cater to the people’s will, not our own. Following a discussion with the people of Shan State once political dialog is on the right track, if the people demand that we need to join hands with the UNFC, then we will work with them.

Q: What is your comment on the continuing clashes between government troops and SSA, even though ceasefire agreement has been made?

A: Among many agendas and purposes for visiting Naypyitaw, the trip is also related to the ceasefire agreement and continuing clashes. It is one of the priorities we are dealing with at Naypyitaw. I believe. Hopefully, in the future, the clashes will gradually be lessened.

Q: As reported, you will also visit Rangoon. Are you planning to meet Aung San Suu Kyi as well?

A: I want to meet her. So far I have met her only in the news. She is an icon for democracy in Burma. I, personally, admire her a lot.

Q: Regarding the armed forces, what kind of role do you want it to play?

A: We have been paying much attention to establishing Burma as a federal union state. So, the armed forces should also have been formed under the legislature of the federal term. That is what we have intended the armed forces to look like.

It has also been reported that the Shan delegation headed by Lt-Gen Yawdserk will visit Rangoon, Mandalay and Taunggyi.