September 6, 2003.

Ethnic Nationalities Solidarity and Cooperation Committee (ENSCC), representing the majority of ethnic groups from Burma, explained a new 'Road Map' to make changes in Burma at the press conference held at 10 am on September 5 at the International Center in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Sao Harn Yawnghwe, the main speaker in yesterday press conference said on the possibility of the 'Road Map', "This road map is coincided with the UN resolution made in 1994. Our 'Road Map' recognized the role of the military and result of the 1990 election as well as the role of ethnic nationalities, who built up the Union of Burma. So, it's more likely to be accepted".

The road map, explained by ethnic nationalities, mentioned 6 basic principles and 6 years plan in 2 stages with time frames. The principles mentioned were as followed:

1. A peaceful resolution of the crisis in the Union,

2. The resolution of political problems through political dialogue,

3. Respect for the will of the people,

4. The recognition and protection of the rights of all citizens of the Union,

5. The recognition and protection of the identity, language, religion, and cultural rights of all nationalities,

6. The recognition and protection of the rights of the constituent states of the Union through a federal arrangement.

Sao Harn, advisor of ENSCC and director of the Euro-Burma Office, stated that the release of new 'Road Map' did not mean the total rejection of the 'Road Map' proposed recently by Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt but this 'Road Map' was more practical and included time frame relevant to UN resolutions. He said, "It is not rejection. We found that the 'Road Map' proposed by General Khin Nyunt has some weaknesses in implementation. We like to propose the way which is more practical to implement".

General Khin Nyunt, who was recently appointed as Prime Minister of Burma, announced a 'Road Map' on August 30, which included reconvening the National Convention started in 1993, drawing up a Constitution and holding up a new general election.

The 'Road Map' proposed by ethnic nationalities mentioned 2 stages of which included 5 different steps.

In the first stage, which was estimated to last 2 years, a "Congress for National Unity" which would be comprised in equal proportions of representatives of the 1990 election winning parties, representatives of the SPDC, and representatives of ethnic nationalities, mentioned in the paper distributed at the press conference.

Through this congress, a "Government of National Unity" (an Interim Government) would be formed under a "National Accord", which would recognize the results of the 1990 elections, a political role for the military and the rights of ethnic nationalities.

The congress would also constitute the National Constitution Drafting and State Constitution Drafting Commissions, mentioned in the paper distributed at the press conference.

The role of International community was mentioned as a mediation sought to break any 'deadlocks' in the decision making process which would be made by consensus in the 'Congress of National Unity'.

Also mentioned was that the international community would be called upon to increase humanitarian aid to the people of the Union with the successful convening of the 'Congress for National Unity'.

The second stage, which was framed for 4 years, included the formation of an interim government (Government of National Unity), lifting of sanctions by international community, calling upon the funding for development, holding the referendum on the newly drawn constitution and holding of the general elections.

"We are not calling as a political trick. We are calling based on the truth. According to our analysis, this is the best way for the Union and the people (of Burma). We are calling the 'Road Map' on the basis of what we really believe as the truth," said Salai Lian Sakhong, general secretary of ENSCC and also of the United Nationalities League for Democracy (UNLD), explaining on the proposing the 'Road Map'.

In answering the question of possibility of accepting the 'Road Map' by Burmese regime, Lian Sakhong said, "I think they (Burmese generals) also don't want to be the traitors in the history. I think they love the country and the people (of Burma). I think they will love their children. Those, who love their children and the future, need to find many ways. We are not proposing as a political trick. We believe in the saying that 'The truth shall make us free'".

Sao Harn Yawnghwe, director of Euro-Burma Office and advisor of ENSCC, Salai Lian Hmung Sakhong, general secretary of ENSCC and also of UNLD and Khun Okker, PaO leader from National Democratic Front (NDF) acted as speakers in the press conference explaining the 'Road Map' of ethnic nationalities finalized on September 2.

ENSCC comprised of NDF, alliance front of armed ethnic organizations based on different borders, Karenni National Progressive Party and United Nationalities League for Democracy (UNLD), the alliance front of the ethnic parties formed in Burma before the 1990 election.

The 'Road Map' proposed also got the agreement of Shan State Army- South of saying that they could support, said Sao Harn on answering the questions of the reporters at the press conference.

Network Media Group