A four-member Chiang Mai-based delegation from the Burmese Ethnic Nationalities Council (ENC) visited ORF on 26 November, 2007. The delegation consisted of Dr. Lian H. Sakhong (General Secretary); Harn Yawnghwe (Director - National Reconciliation Programme); Saw David Taw (Joint General-Secretary); and Dr. Sui-Khar (Team Leader - Foreign Affairs Committee).
A four-member Chiang Mai-based delegation from the Burmese Ethnic Nationalities Council (ENC) visited ORF on 26 November, 2007. The delegation consisted of Dr. Lian H. Sakhong (General Secretary); Harn Yawnghwe (Director – National Reconciliation Programme); Saw David Taw (Joint General-Secretary); and Dr. Sui-Khar (Team Leader – Foreign Affairs Committee).
The ENC delegation said that its main task has been to bring about the ‘Tripartite Dialogue’ recommended in the 1994 UNGA resolution to resolve the problems of Myanmar based on the 1947 Panglong Agreement, which guaranteed a federal arrangement for the ethnic-based states of the Union. During the discussion on their aspirations, the ENC indicated that it would not be averse to an India-type federal arrangement, but they would not like the centralized control such as the appointment of governors from the capital or the centre’s powers to intervene in normal government. On the other hand, they could readily accept that foreign affairs and defence should pertain solely to the central government.
The "Burma Problem"
The Council’s view is that the political crisis in Myanmar today was not just an ideological confrontation between democracy and military rule, but was rooted in a constitutional crisis, which came about because the Panglong Agreement was never fully implemented. The ethnic issue in Myanmar, according to them, was not a minority problem. About 40% of the population of Myanmar i.e. over 20 millions is made up of the ethnic nationalities, and they live in 60% of the territory of Myanmar. Unless the ethnic grievances are addressed, the Myanmar problem would persist and no lasting peace would be possible. ENC was, however, against any form of violent solution to the "Burma problem."
For ENC, the ethnic struggle is not a fight for separation from the Union of Myanmar but a struggle to end military rule. It believes that the best option for the ethnic nationalities will be to stay with the Myanmar Union peacefully. The ENC believed that this can be achieved through the ‘Tripartite Dialogue’ – between the military government, the democracy supporters, and the ethnic nationalities – as recommended by the UN. The ethnic nationalities have to be given an alternate way to settle their grievances – a political solution instead of armed struggle.
The Recent Uprising
The recent uprising in Myanmar had also to be seen as a sign that the population want democracy irrespective of their ethnic background. Demonstrations took place in all parts of the country including all seven ethnic states. The monks who were brutally suppressed were not only Burman but many of them were Arakan, Karen, Mon, Shan and even Kachin.
The Current Scene
ENC felt that the dialogue between the SPDC and Aung San Suu Kyi has to be seen as a process. For the present, the ENC was not insisting in inclusion in the talks. However, the problem could not be solved just by talking about democracy versus military rule when substantive discussions started. The talks will also have to deal with constitutional matters. And when that happened, the process would need to be expanded to include all stakeholders, especially the ethnic nationalities, thereby opening a tripartite dialogue.
The junta may try to go ahead with its road map. The ceasefire groups may cooperate with the government in its seven point road map if the government does not try to disarm them. If they tried disarming, fighting would break out again.
The economic situation of the country would remain a problem because of the mismanagement of the government and their inability to find a solution. Sporadic protests are likely to continue.
Regional Initiative for Myanmar
ASEAN has no mechanism to deal with the “Burma Problem”. ENC supports UN efforts in Myanmar. However, China and Russia will not allow UNSC to take any major role in Myanmar. Therefore, a regional initiative involving China and India on Myanmar was the only way to effect positive change in Myanmar.
China’s Role
China was worried about stability in Myanmar which it sees as a strategic transit route for its underdeveloped southern provinces. They had been pressing the regime for normalization. They would not stand in the way of transition to democracy and had made it clear that they would deal with the government in place.
India’s Role
ENC was of the view that India had failed to achieve any major gains through its engagement policy. The Myanmar junta had done nothing to allay India’s core security, economic and strategic concerns in Myanmar. India does not figure as a major factor in the thinking of Myanmar’s people. ENC believed that this was an opportune time for India to take a more active role through a regional forum to deal with the Myanmar crisis.
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