If it isn't enough to have Hsen Pai (Variety) to contend against for readership, the Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN)'s monthly Panglong journal now has another formidable challenger, Voice of Hsan Loi (Voice of The Hills), that came out late last month.

The 24 page bilingual (Shan, Burmese) paper is a publication of the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA). "We will print 5,000 copies each month," said Sai Hseng Moeng, managing editor of the Hsan Loi. "Each copy is being sold for 500kyat ($0.5)."

The hard-hitting maiden issue has several interesting articles:

• The article on the front page (in Shan) mourns for the loss of several Shan townships due to the 1947 Panglong Agreement, like Moeng Gawng (Mogaung), Moeng Yang (Moehnyin), Ban Maw (Bhamo), Putao and Khamti

• One article in Burmese (p.22) accuses the Myanmar Peace Centre (MPC), set up by the government, of pretending to be working for the much-awaited Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) while in fact spending time trying to put the blame on the ethnic alliance United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) for the delay. It also charges the Tatmadaw (Burmese military) of undermining its own much-vaunted Three Causes (I.e. Non-disintegration of the Union, Non-disintegration of national solidarity and Perpetuation of national sovereignty) through its leaders' craze for rank and power

• The non-Burman ethnic leaders have not also gotten away from its sting. The article on P.24 says "accusing the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT), formed by the Laiza Conference in November of playing along with the government's game, is as good as refusing to acknowledge its efforts made despite enormous difficulties"

SHAN's Panglong, whose first issue came out in December, while also focusing on the ongoing peace process, is still "pulling its punches," according to a friendly critic.

"At this stage, we only want to present facts and let the readers decide for themselves," said Khuensai Jaiyen, its Thailand-based editor. "This is not the time to trade blows. I hope that time never comes."

The second issue of Panglong will be out sometime this month.