Expatriate Shans Meet

[shan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

EXPATRIATE  SHANS  MEET


	The Shan Democratic Union, formed by expatriate Shans on 16 November 1996,
met for two days, 5 - 6 February, somewhere along the unidentified border.

	The purpose of the meeting called the Second Congress, was to ratify the
party's constitution and to elect the Central Committee. Altogether 21
members were elected. Sao Hsohom, prince of Mongpawn State and son of Sao
Sam Htun who was assassinated along with Aung San on 19 July 1947, was
reelected unanimously the Congress. He is reported to have been
instrumental in drawing the Federal Amendment in 1961 for which he was
jailed along with other Shan Leaders by the military that took power a year
later. He had also worked in the UN until his retirement a few years ago.

	The Union's Guiding Principles are Unity, Peace, Rule of Law, Equality,
Democracy and Right of Self Determination. One of its policies is to work
with all anti-SLORC/SPDC movements for its overthrow. As to the question of
Independence or Federal Union, one of its executive members said. It is a
question that can be decided only by our people and by no one else when the
recognition of their right is restored. Our duty to see to it that their
constitutional right to Self Determination is recognized by all. Shan
State, or Shan States as the SDU prefers to call, enjoys the right to
secede from the Union with Burma according to the 1947 Union Constitution.
The SDU claims that since the Constitution was declared null and void by
the military, the Union is no more in existence as of 1962. But that it
will not refuse to consider a new union with Burma if there is sufficient
protection of their rights.

S.H.A.N.
Shan Herald Agency for News