Burma convention part 1

[mbeer@xxxxxxxxxxx]

                       September 19, 1994,
Monday.....SECTION: Part 3 Asia - Pacific;
SOUTHEAST ASIA; BURMA; FE/2104/B ; .....LENGTH:
4798 words.....HEADLINE: NATIONAL CONVENTION; U
Aung Toe's report to National Convention, Part
I.....BODY:    Summary: principles governing
self-administered divisions and self-administered
zones: Naga nationals zone detailed; Danu
nationals zone detailed; Pa-o nationals zone;
Palaung, Kokang nationals zone; Wa nationals zone;
Lahu national zone turned down; Inntha nationals
zone rejected; Kayan zone rejected; Conditions for
Akha zone not met; Kachin zone in Shan State
rejected; Shan national "sub-races" zone turned
down; details of other zones which were rejected.
Radio Burma in Burmese 1330 gmt 2nd to 5th
September
Excerpts from first part of speech by U Aung Toe,
chief justice and chairman of the National
Convention Convening Work Committee, at the
plenary session of the National Convention on 2nd
September.
Self-administered divisions and self-administered
zones
Chairman of the National Convention Convening Work
Committee U Aung Toe clarified the matter of
prescribing self-administered divisions and
self-administered zones, and constituting
legislative, executive and judicial affairs at the
Plenary Session of the National Convention today
[3rd September].
Esteemed chairman and delegates to the National
Convention, I extend my best wishes for your
well-being in mind and body and all auspiciousness
for the delegates to the National Convention.
The Panel of Chairmen appraised at the Plenary
Session of the National Convention on 6th April
1994 that it would take time as proposals of the
National Convention delegates on prescribing
self-administered division (or) self-administered
zones were many and extensive and as they would be
scrutinized if they were in accord with the
principles laid down or not.  
In connection with the appraisal of the Panel of
Chairmen, I clarified at the Plenary Session of
the National Convention on 9th April 1994 that the
matter of laying down a principle to prescribe
self-administered divisions and self-ministered
zones should not be carried out at the time but
the matter would be deliberated at the next
Plenary Session of the National Convention.
The Chairman of the National Convention Convening
Commission [NCCC] also urged all to make the most
of the opportunity available during the recess to
conduct studies to be able to offer good advice
and suggestions in connection with the chapters on
legislative, executive and judicial matters along
with the matter of prescribing self-administered
divisions and self-administered zones

                 PAGE   24             The British
Broadcasting Corporation, September 19,
1994.....when the National Convention resumed.
You are expected to have already conducted studies
to be able to offer good advice and suggestions as
urged by the Chairman of the NCCC. The National
Convention Convening Work Committee [NCCWC] itself
has conducted studies. Of the studies conducted,
we will first of all, clarify the points in
connection with prescribing self-administered
divisions and self-administered zones.
Principles governing self-administered divisions
and zones
In giving suggestions at the previous Plenary
Session, some National Convention delegates,
political parties and delegate groups deliberated
and proposed the terms -townships, districts and
appropriate size of population included in the
principles already laid down to form a base.
Suggestions and proposals thus made were of much
help in prescribing self-administered divisions
and self-administered zones. So, I will continue
to clarify matters in connection with the terms -
townships, districts, appropriate size of
population and contiguous areas.
In constituting the Union, principles have been
laid down to form a base as:
-" in a self-administered zone, townships therein
are organized into the self-administered zone"
-" in a self-administered division, townships
therein are organized into districts and districts
are organized into the self-administered
division."
In the principles to form a base, there will be at
least two townships as it is stated "townships" ;
and there will be at least two districts as it is
stated "districts."
In prescribing self-administered areas, a
principle has been laid down to form a base as:   
-" in regions or states, self-administered areas
are to be prescribed for national races who reside
together in communities on the same common
stretches of land in appropriate sizes of
population, other than national races who have
already got regions or states." The "appropriate
sizes of population" in the basic principle
becomes so when the population of the
nationalities concerned in the townships to be
included in the self-administered area is the
highest in each township, and is more than half of
the total population in the townships concerned.
"Contiguous areas" signifies that territories of
the townships concerned are contiguous and there
exist conditions to be contiguous.
I will further clarify each proposal out of those
submitted to the previous Plenary Session in
connection with prescribing self-administered
divisions and self-administered zones, based on
the terms I have just clarified. In so doing, I
will clarify the proposals for the respective
nationalities together if there is more than one
proposal for a national races.
Naga nationals zone detailed
Esteemed Chairman, national races delegates U Hla
Pe alias U Kam Yam and U Khaw Lar Saw of Sagaing
Division proposed that a self-administered
division or a self-administered zone be prescribed
for Naga nationals organizing Hkamti

                 PAGE   25             The British
Broadcasting Corporation, September 19,
1994.....township, Homalin township, Leshi
township, Lahe township and Namyun township
included in Hkamti district, Sagaing Division.
According to the data gathered by the Immigration
and Manpower Department dated 15th August 1994,
the townships where there are the highest number
of Naga population in the individual townships in
Sagaing Division, and where Naga population is
more than half of the total population are Namyun,
Lahe, and Leshi townships... These townships are
situated contiguously. Hence, there exist
conditions favourable to prescribing the
self-administered zone for Naga nationals
organized with Namyun, Lahe and Leshi townships.
Danu nationals zone
Esteemed chairman, national races delegates U Kyaw
Zaw and U Mya Than proposed that a
self-administered division or a self-administered
zone be prescribed for Danu nationals organizing
Ywangan township, Pindaya township, Kalaw
township, Yatsawk township, Nawnghkio township,
Taunglelon village-tract, Kyaukni village-tract
and Bannkan village- tract in Taunggyi township,
Monglon area in Kyaukme township, six villages of
Kyaunghsoegon village-tract and four villages of-
Legaung village-tract in Thazi township, Mandalay
Division.
According to data gathered by the Immigration and
Manpower Department, the townships where there are
the highest number of Danu population in the
individual townships in Shan State, and where Danu
population is more than half of the total
population are Nawnghkio, Ywangan and Pindaya
townships... Out of those townships, it is found
that Nawnghkio township is not adjacent to Ywangan
township nor to Pindaya township. Moreover, there
exist no favourable conditions to be contiguous.
Ywangan and Pindaya townships, however, are
contiguous . It is therefore observed that there
are favourable conditions to prescribe a self-
administered zone for Danu nationals organized
with Ywangan and Pindaya townships.
Pa-o nationals zone
Esteemed Chairman, national races delegates [names
omited] proposed that a self-administered zone be
prescribed for Pa-o nationals organizing Taunggyi,
Hopong, Hsiseng, Yawnghwe, Kalaw, Pindaya,
Ywangan, Pekon, Pinlaung, Yatsawk, Loilem,
Namhsan, Mong Nai, Maukmai, Langhko, Mongpan,
Laihka and Mongkai townships in Shan State .
According to data gathered by the Immigration and
Manpower Department, the townships where there are
the highest number of Pa-o population in the
individual townships in Shan State, and where Pa-o
population is more than half of the total
population are only Hopong, Hsiseng and Pinlaung
townships... Those townships are situated adjacent
to one another and there exist conditions
favourable to be contiguous.
 These townships are closely linked and there are
conditions for them to be on the same common
stretches of land. Therefore, it is seen that the
situation of Hopong, Hsihseng and Pinlaung
townships is such that they can be organized
together and prescribed as self- administered zone
for Pa-o nationals.
Palaung, Kokang nationals zone
Members of the national races delegate group... of
Shan State Special Region 7 have proposed that
villages in Namhkam, Kutkai, Namtu, Namhsan,
Kyaukme and

                 PAGE   26             The British
Broadcasting Corporation, September 19,
1994.....western and northern sectors of Hspiaw,
Manton Myothit, Mongngaw Myothit, Mong Mit
townships in Shan State and Mogok township in
Mandalay division, where the Palaung nationals
reside are to be organized together and prescribed
as self-administered zones for Palaung nationals.
According to statistics compiled by the
Immigration and manpower Department, out of the
townships in Shan State, the townships where the
majority of the people are Palaung nationals and
as well as representing over half the population
are Namshan and Mong Ton townships only... These
townships are in the same common stretch of land.
Therefore it is seen that Namshan and Mong Ton
townships have the condition to be organized
together and self-administered zone for Palaung
nationals.
National Convention delegate... of Shan State
Special Region 1 proposed that Kunlong, Konkyan,
Kutkai and Mu-se townships in Shan State (north)
should be organized together and prescribed as
self-administered zone of Kokang nationals...
According to the statistics compiled by the
Immigration and manpower Department, the townships
where the majority of the people are Kokang
nationals and where the population is more than
half the total population of the townships are
found to be Konkyan and Laukkai townships... These
two townships are closely linked and are on the
same common stretches of land. hence, the
condition is such that these townships can be
organized together and prescribed as
self-administered zone for Kokang nationals.
Wa nationals zone
Esteemed Chairman, representative of national
races delegates of Shan State... proposed that
[passage omitted detailing 19 townships] in Shan
State should be organized together and prescribed
as self-administered division of Wa nationals.
According to the statistics compiled by the
Immigration and Manpower Department, the townships
where the majority of the population is Wa
national and when more than half the total
population is made up of Wa nationals are Hopang,
Pangweng, Na-Hpan, Man Hpan and Pangyang
townships...
These townships are closely linked and are
contiguous. Hence, it is seen that the condition
is such that Hopang, Mongmao, Pangweng, Na-Hpan,
Man Hpan and Pangyang townships are to be
organized together and prescribed as
self-administered area of Wa nationals. In
prescribing thus, since there are six townships it
is seen that they can be formed into two districts
and prescribed as self-administered division.
Lahu national zone turned down
Esteemed Chairman, representative of Lahu National
Development Party U Kyar Ha Shel made a proposal
that Mong Pyin, Mong Hsat and Mong Tung townships
in Shan State should be organized together and
prescribed as self- administered zone of Lahu
nationals. According to the statistics compiled by
the Immigration and Manpower Department, it is
seen that out of the townships in Shan State, the
townships in which the majority of population is
made up of Lahu nationals is Mong Hsat township
only... It is necessary to have at least two
townships in a self-administered zone and the
population of the national races which will get
the right of self-administration must be in
majority in each of the townships. Moreover, the
population of the national races must be more than
half of the total population of each township .
The township where the Lahu nationals are in the
majority is only one and in the townships which
are contiguous to it, Lahu nationals are residing
in a scattered manner. Hence, it is seen that the
conditions do not permit the prescribing of
self-administered zone for Lahu

                 PAGE   27             The British
Broadcasting Corporation, September 19,
1994.....nationals.
However, it is seen that the population of Lahu
nationals in Shan State stands at over 170,000. If
this population is the appropriate number to
participate in legislative and executive affairs
of a region or a state, then the situation is such
that representatives of Lahu nationals will have
the right to participate in legislative and
executive affairs of Shan State and carry out the
affairs of Lahu nationals.
Inntha nationals zone rejected
Esteemed Chairman, national races delegates of
Shan State U San Tun Maung and U Ba Than have put
up a proposal to organize together the entire Inle
region in Yawnghwe township, Shan State, and
prescribe a self- administered zone for Inntha
nationals.
According to the statistics compiled by the
Immigration and Manpower Department, there is only
Yawnghwe township which has a population with
Inntha nationals in the majority among the
townships in Shan State... In a self-administered
zone there must be at least two townships and the
national races which will have the right to get
self-administered zone must be in the majority in
each of the townships as well as more than half of
the total population. Since there is only one
township where the Inntha nationals are in the
majority and in townships which are contiguous,
the Inntha nationals do not reside in a community
but in scattered places. Hence, it is found that
conditions to permit for Inntha nationals to get a
self-administered zone do not exist.
However, it is found that the population of Inntha
nationals in Shall State stands at over 110,000.
If this number of population is the appropriate
number to participate in legislative and executive
affairs of the self-administered division or
self-administered state zone, then representatives
of Inntha nationals will have the right to
participate in legislative and executive affairs
of Shan State and carry out the affairs of Inntha
nationals.
Kayan zone rejected
Esteemed Chairman, national races delegate of Shan
State U J Hla Moe and U Gabriel Byan of Kayan
group have proposed that a self-administered zone
be prescribed for Kayan nationals, organizing
under it the area from Pekon township to the
southwestern tip of Pinlaung township in Shan
State, Loikaw and Dimawhso townships in the
north-west of Kayah State, northern area of
Thandaung township in Karen State and eastern hill
region of Pyinmana township in Mandalay Division.
According to the statement of Immigration and
Manpower Department, the only township in Shan
State in which Kayan nationals form the majority
is Pekon and that in Kayah State is Dimawhso... It
is found that there is no township in Karen State
and Mandalay Division in which Kayan population is
the largest. It is stated in an already adopted
fundamental principle that the existing seven
divisions are designated seven regions and the
existing seven states are designated seven states.
Self-administered divisions or self-administered
zones are to be prescribed within each of the
regions and states. According to the delegates'
proposal, townships in three states and one
division are to be organized into the Kayan
nationals' self-administered zone. There is only
one

                 PAGE   28             The British
Broadcasting Corporation, September 19,
1994.....township in Shan State in which Kayan
population forms the majority and one in Kayah
State. So, it is viewed that there is no condition
to organize areas in Shan, Kayah and Karen States
and Mandalay Division into a self-administered
zone.
However, it is found that as the Kayan population
in Shan State is more than 480,000 and if it is an
appropriate size for participation in the Shan
State legislature and administration, it is
opportune for them to participate in the Shan
State legislature and administration as Kayan
national affairs representatives to manage their
national race's affairs.
Conditions for Akha zone not met
Esteemed Chairman, national races delegates of
Shan State U Peter Thaung Sein and U Ah Zi said in
their proposal that there is no condition to
prescribe Akha nationals'self-administered zone
composed of Kengtung, Mong Hkak, Mong Yang, Mong
Hpyak, Mong Yawng, Tachilek, Mong Hsat, Mong Ton,
Mong Ping and Metman townships in Shan State and
however, there is an appropriate size of Akha
national population in Mong Ma-Mong La area in the
east of Kengtung township and with it in the
centre, villages and village-tracts in four
special regions to be organized into Akha
nationals' self-administered zone.
U Min Ein of Shan State Special Region 4 proposed
that the special region be designated a special
self-administered division and under it, Akha
self-administered district, Shan self-
administered district and Lwela self-administered
district be organized.
According to the fundamental principle concerning
self- administered areas, there are two kinds -
the self-administered division and the
self-administered zone. At least two townships are
needed to qualify for a self-administered zone.
Just as each of them must have Akha nationals in
the majority, Akha population must also be more
than half its total population. There is no such
township in Shan State in which the number of Akha
national residents is the largest. So, it is found
that there is no condition to prescribe an Akha
nationals' self-administered zone.
However, it is found that as the Akha population
in Shan State is more than 100,000 and if it is an
appropriate size for participation in region or
state legislature and administration, it is
opportune for them to participate in the Shan
State legislature and administration as Akha
national affairs representatives to manage their
national race's affairs.
Kachin zone in Shan State rejected
Esteemed Chairman, national races delegate U Zote
Dawng of Shan State and U Mahtu Naw of Shan State
(North) Special Region 5 have proposed that the
special region be designated self-administered
division for Kachin nationals in Shan State.
Kachin nationals are a national race that already
has its own state and so it is found that there is
no condition for Kachin nationals to get a
self-administered division or self-administered
zone in Shan State.
However, it is found that as the number of Kachin
nationals residing in Shan State is more than
100,000 and if it is an appropriate size for
participation in the Shan State legislature and
administration, it is opportune for them to
participate in the Shan State legislature and
administration as Kachin

                 PAGE   29             The British
Broadcasting Corporation, September 19,
1994.....national affairs representatives to
manage their national race's affairs.
Shan national "sub-races" zone turned down
Esteemed Chairman, national races delegates U Kyaw
Soe Lay, U Saw Nwe Tun, U Werei Ja and U Mangu Hta
Thang of Kachin State have proposed that a
self-administered zone be prescribed for Shan
national sub-races Tai-lon, Tai-lian, Tai-lei and
Tai-hkamti nationals after organizing under it
Mohnyin, Mogaung, Kamaing, Bhamo, Shwegu and Mansi
townships in Kachin State.
U Sai Naunt, a delegate of Shan State (North)
Special Region 3, has proposed that a suitable
self-administered division or self-administered
zone be prescribed for Shan national stocks
Tai-lian., Tai-nei, Tai-hsa, Tai-hkamti, Tai-kadu,
Tai-ganan and Tai-hkum nationals who reside
together in a community on the same stretch of
area in southern Kachin and upper Sagaing
Division...
As a fundamental principle concerning the State
Structure has been already laid down to prescribe
that the existing seven divisions are designated
seven regions and the existing seven states are
designated seven states, there is no permission to
delineate for further designation of a region or
state. So, it is found that there is no condition
for such delineation as in the proposal of Shan
Nationalities League for Democracy which has been
submitted for designating a new state.
Similarly, there has been a fundamental principle
of prescribing a self-administered area only for
national races who have not got a region or state.
So, it is found that there is no condition for
prescribing a self-administered zone as proposed
by Shan Nationalities League for Democracy.
However, the population of Shan nationals in
Kachin State is more than 260,000 and that in
Sagaing Division is more than 200,000, if the
sizes of population are appropriate for
participation in the region or state legislature
and administration, Shan nationals have the
opportunity to participate in the Kachin State and
Sagaing Region legislatures and administrations as
Shan national affairs representatives to manage
their national race's affairs.
Other zones rejected
Esteemed Chairman, national races delegates U Kyaw
Soe Lay, U Saw Nwe Tun, U Werei Ja and U Mangu Hta
Thang of Kachin State have proposed that Putao
self-administered zone be prescribed for Lisu,
Rawan and Tai-hkamti nationals after organizing
under it Putao, Machambaw, Nogmung, Hkawbude and
Sumprabum townships in Kachin State.
The fundamental principle regarding
self-administered division or self-administered
zone is not for such designation as in the
proposal for three or four national races together
but for each national race and so it is found that
there is no condition for their proposal to
designate a self-administered zone.
Esteemed Chairman, national races delegate U Htat
Lai of Chin State has proposed that Paletwa Hills
self-administered division be prescribed for Khumi
nationals in Paletwa area after redelineating it
into five townships - Shinletwa, Tron-ai, Paletwa,
Samee and Thandaung townships.

                 PAGE   30             The British
Broadcasting Corporation, September 19, 1994
It is essential that there must be at least two
townships in a self-administered zone and the
population of the national races must form a
majority in each township and over a half of the
total population of the townships. To prescribe as
a self-administered division, it is essential that
there must be at least four townships. According
to the data compiled by the Immigration and
Manpower Department, it is found that there is no
township in Chin State inhabited by a majority of
Khumi nationals. As such, there are no favourable
conditions to prescribe Paletwa Hill as self-
administered division for Khumi nationals.
Esteemed Chairman,
On behalf of the Mro or Khami National Solidarity
Organization, U San Tha Aung proposed Pauktaw,
Ponnagyun, Mrauk-U, Buthidaung, Maungdaw,
Rathedaung and Kyauktaw townships in Rakhine State
and Paletwa township in Chin State be organized
and prescribed as self- administered division for
Mro or Khami nationals.
The fundamental principle was laid down for
designation of a self-administered division and of
a self-administered zone in respect of regions or
states. It is found that Mro or Khami National
Solidarity Organization's proposal to organize the
townships in Rakhine and Chin States and prescribe
them as self-administered division is inconsistent
with the fundamental principle.
As regards organizing townships in Rakhine State
only or in Chin State to prescribe a
self-administered division, it is essential that
there must be at least four townships in a
self-administered division and the population of
the nationals to be prescribed for that
self-administered division must form a majority in
each township and over a half of the total
population inhabited in the townships.
In accordance with the data of the Immigration and
Manpower Department, it is found that there is no
township in Rakhine State and Chin State inhabited
by majority of Mro or Khami nationals. Thus, there
are no favourable conditions to designate as self-
administered division for Mro or Khami nationals.
Esteemed Chairman, on behalf of the Union Karen
League, U Saw Than Aung proposed "excluding Kayin
State" be included in the clause " other than
national races who have already got regions or
states" in Item 5 of the seven basic principles
for the State Structure and to designate
self-administered areas for Pa-o, Palaung, Danu,
Lahu, Akha, Wa, Kokang, Mro or Khami, Naga and
Lisu nationals and other deserving national races.
It is appraised that the Item 5 of the basic
principles, which was adopted in connection with
designating self-administered areas, concerns all
national races who have got regions or states, and
there cannot be made any exception. If Karen
nationals in the other region or state outside the
Kayin State constitute an appropriate size of
population to participate in legislation and
administration of the region or state, there will
be right for the representative of Kayin nationals
to participate in legislature and administration
of the region or state to be able to carry out
Karen national affairs. In connection with the
Karen National League's proposal on designation of
self-administered divisions or self-administered
zones for deserving national races, the matter has
been included in the classification relating to
each national races.

                 PAGE   31             The British
Broadcasting Corporation, September 19, 1994
Esteemed Chairman, on behalf of the Shan
Nationalities League for Democracy, U Sai Soe
Nyunt proposed in connection with the
self-administered areas to be prescribed for
national races that if it is assumed necessary to
prescribe self-administered zone for Mro or Khami
nationals in Rakhine State, it is also necessary
to prescribe self-administered areas for Karen
nationals in Irrawaddy Region, Chin and Naga
nationals in western Magwwe Region and western
Sagaing Region, Karen and Pa-o nationals in Karen
State and Mon State, and Tai-lai nationals of
upper Sagaing and Kachin areas.
The above-mentioned clarification relating to each
national race includes the matter concerning the
proposal in connection with Tai- lai and Naga
national races. For the remaining nationals
included in the proposal, it is appraised that
Karen and Chin nationals have already got their
own states, and will not get a self-administered
division or self-administered zone in another
region or state.
The above-mentioned clarification also includes
Pa-o national affairs. Though any township in Mon
State is not inhabited by majority of Pa-o
nationals, the total population of Pa-o nationals
in Mon State is over 66,000. It is found that
depending on the size of population of Pa-o
nationals being appropriate for participation of
legislature and administration in a region or
state, the representative of Pa-o nationals will
have a right to participate in legislature and
administration of Mon State to be able to carry
out Pa-o national affairs.
Esteemed Chairman, on behalf of the National
League for Democracy, U Khin Maung of Panglong, U
Nyunt Wai, U Lwin and U Aung Shwe proposed in
connection with the designation of
self-administered divisions or self- administered
zones that it is appropriate to prescribe them
right away instead of having the State set up a
commission to do so, for the nationals concerned
will be pleased and it will further consolidate
national unity. However, they also proposed that
it should not be decided without having proper
data on the population sizes and density in
respective regions and topographical conditions
and so the State should form a commission to do
so.
U Tun Yi and U Khin Maung Gyi of the National
Unity Party proposed that for Wa, Kokang, Pa-o and
Palaung nationals in Shan State and Naga nationals
in Sagaing Region, it is more appropriate to
designate which townships should be prescribed as
self-administered division or self-administered
zone in which national races and representatives
of the national races in respective regions should
extensively and practically coordinate and
participate. In connection with designating
self-administered division or self- administered
zone, national races delegates group, peasant
delegates group, worker delegates group,
intelligentsia and intellectual delegates group,
service personnel delegates group and other
invited persons group also submitted proposals.
Similarly, there are proposals submitted
individually or in groups by the delegates of
these groups, and those submitted on behalf of
their party, individually or in groups, by
delegates of representative-elect delegates group.
All delegates have already known these proposals
which delegates concerned read and submitted the
proposal papers at the previous National
Convention Plenary Session. All delegates hear
again the salient points of the proposals
appraised and submitted by the members of the
Panel of Chairmen. In connection with designation
of self-administered division or self-administered
zone, I have included in my clarification the
points in the proposals of national races and
parties. Therefore, I will not clarify these
points again.

                 PAGE   32             The British
Broadcasting Corporation, September 19, 1994
Esteemed Chairman, What I have said now is the
part related to designating self-administered
division or self-administered zone. I will
continue my clarification in connection with the
legislature, executive and judiciary.

          Copyright 1994 The British Broadcasting
Corporation                            BBC Summary
of World Broadcasts




Michael Beer
mbeer@xxxxxxxxxxx