Day 2. 3 March 2014

Old days still learn new tricks

During breakfast, I was informed that Ta Hsarm Pu, the Pang crossing that leads into Kunpang (Pang Island), a strategic area that lies between the Pang and the Salween, was taken by the Burmese Army on 28 February. Without a fight, because the Burma Army, instead of fighting, had resorted to charm. It had reportedly asked the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) guarding the crossing to temporarily move out, white its troops were going across. And after the SSA had graciously complied, it simply took over the positions, where it has remained until now.

I couldn’t decide whether I should cry or laugh, after the report was conveyed to me.
The highlight of the day is the press launch of the United States Institute for Peace (USIP)’s “Media and Conflict in Myanmar. Opportunities the media to advance peace”, held in the hotel’s dining room.

The presenter Stephen Gray, who had done a 6-month survey, said there has been a lot of “misinformation” and “misunderstanding” among the people. And the media has the opportunity to support peace by providing accurate and reliable information in a way that is understandable to them.

He suggested, among others, conflict sensitive training for journalists as well as government, CSO and ethnic leaders. He especially warned against online hate speech.

Then there was dinner attended by Shan State chief minister Sao Aung Myat and deputy union minister for information U Paik Htwe, who took trouble to shake hands with us, more than 100 of journalists and activists, before getting back to his table.

It was there I ran into old friends and new friends, among whom was Sao Haymar Thaike, one of the surviving daughters of Sao Shwe Thaike, Prince of Yawnghwe and the first President of the newly independent Union of Burma (1948-1952).

You can bet I had a good time and lose. Because I went to bed early, though a bit later than I usually do.