Ethnic groups discuss shape of a future Shan State
Representatives of 13 ethnic
groups have concluded a five-day meeting in Shan State capital Taunggyi, where
they discussed how a future Shan State would accommodate each minority group.
According to Khun Soe Myint
Tun, a member of the Eastern Nationalities Political Center, or ENPC, the forum focused on the State Reorganization
Act, a matter that is on the agenda for discussions at the peace talks
beginning in Naypyidaw on August 31 – negotiations that have been dubbed the “21st
Century Panglong Conference.”
“The main discussion was to
get support from minority groups in Shan State. We want to hear their opinions
on this issue,” he said. “At the Panglong conference, we will discuss the matter
of the various ethnic groups in Shan State. That’s why we had this meeting – to
prepare for it.”
The closed-door meeting, from
August 11 to 15, concluded with an agreement on 10 points of national security,
12 points of national defense, and five points on federal principles.
Fifty-three representatives
from ethnic political parties in Shan State attended the meeting, alongside one
delegate from Karenni State and another from Chin State.
The 13 indigenous groups said
that they will also seek cooperation with the United Nationalities Alliance, led
by Khun Tun Oo, and the Nationalities Brotherhood Federation, chaired by Sai Ai
Pao of the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party.
Tags: News, Politics
