'Panglong is Important'

Lt-Gen Yawd Serk

Question: In the regime's general election, people from Shan State voted for the White Tiger party, the only Shan party in the election. What about the election results?

Answer: In our view, this election will not bring any good for anyone, because it wasn’t free, fair or creditable. It can’t solve any problems inside Burma. The regime held the election only because it wanted to legitimize its hold on power. The junta will only change their uniforms—their activities, their morality will still be the same. If there is a parliament, it will continue the military government’s activities. I want the people to understand that the situation in Burma is not yet stable. Although the government held an election, there will be no democracy.

Q: What did the Shan people think about the election?

A: I have nothing to say about the people. We didn’t tell them not to vote. They could freely choose to vote. We don’t need to tell them that the regime is no good, because they know what the regime is.

Q: Many observers say that the military government will crack down on the ethnic armed groups after the election. Are you prepared for this?

A: We are still analyzing what the government might do. The armed groups always have to be prepared. It really depends on the government to start the fighting or not.

Q: What if they attack?

A: Then we are ready. We are not a cease-fire group. We clash with government troops every day in Shan State.

Q: Some ethnic armed groups formed a military alliance recently.

A: We are not part of any alliance. I just know that some cease-fire groups formed an alliance. That’s all I know.

Q: What about the border fighting in Myawaddy?

A: It happened because the regime put too much pressure on the DKBA. The holding of an unfair election might be another reason.

Q: Will you have any involvement with the DKBA fighting?

A: We haven’t decided to help the DKBA because of the geographical situation.

Q: Why do you advocate an independent Shan State?

A: It is based on the Panglong agreement. It's important to work for a Federal State. Without it, our problems will never end. If we have a dialogue with the government based on the Panglong agreement, it might help to find a solution.

Q: Some ethnic leaders and politicians have called for a second Panglong conference and released a statement.

A: That is the best idea and the right approach to our current political situation.

Q: What about human right abuses and the forced labor that  still occurs in Shan State. What can the SSA- South do to solve such problems?

A: It's becoming worse in Shan State. We can't solve all these problems, but if our troops see such human rights violations, we can take action against them. That's what we can do.

Q: Burmese democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will be released soon.