Elder Shan leader: Military saving non-existent union

No.04 - 12/2006
19 December 2006
Politics

Elder Shan leader: Military saving non-existent union

Shwe Ohn, who has been involved in Burma's tumultuous politics since 60
years earlier, has again rejected the ruling military council's claim
to 'have twice saved the union' as an old joke.

"How can a child that is not yet born die?" the 83 year old Shan
politician asked S.H.A.N. rhetorically. "How can a union that is not
yet in existence disintegrate?"

Shwe Ohn with Gen Hsoten leader of the SSA-North, on 7 February 2005

Shwe Ohn, co-founder of Shan People's Freedom League (SPFL) in 1946 and
the author of several political commentaries, was referring to the
military's contention that it has saved the Union of Burma, formed in
1947 and later again in 1974, "from the disaster of being drowned in
shallow waters."

"Our country is a Unitary State, not a federation," he said. "Calling
it a union is like a jockey who doesn't know whether he's riding a mare
or stallion."

He pointed out to the military's placement of divisions (Taing)
alongside states (Pyi-ne). "That¢s putting non-sovereign powers
together with sovereign powers," he scoffed. "Forced associations never
endure, as can be seen from the experiences of the former Soviet Union
and Yugoslavia."

Nevertheless, he is of the opinion that the Right of Secession, as
stipulated in the 1947 constitution, should be scrapped. "Just because
it's not written doesn't mean the right has gone away," he insisted.
"There have been instances of countries parting ways with each other
although the right is not stated in their constitutions. Unbroken
partnerships depend on all partners, especially on the magnanimity of
its biggest partner".

"We must build up a union that is indestructible," he concluded, "and
that is by voluntary association, equality, separation of powers and
absolute loyalty of the armed forces to an elected civilian
government."

Shwe Ohn became known far and wide when he wrote "Towards the Third
Union of Burma" in 1993, the year Burma's ruling military council
called the National Convention to draft the country's third
constitution. He was placed under house arrest during the February 2005
crackdown on Shan activists. Nine of them including Khun Tun Oo, leader
of Burma's second largest party Shan Nationalities League for
Democracy, were given unprecedented long term jail sentences ranging
from 75-106 years. Shwe Ohn was freed last February.


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