Freelance journalist Myint Shwe recently met Manam Tu Ja in Laiza on the Chinese border, where they discussed possible implications of the volatile situation in Burma and his brand-new Kachin State Progressive Party
Recently, the New Light of Myanmar, the mouthpiece of the Burmese junta, carried an article extolling former Kachin rebel leader Manam Tu Ja's decision to set up a political party to contest the general election in 2010. Tu Ja had taken part in a national constitutional drafting convention organised by the junta from 2004-07 as a representative of the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO).
PATIENCE IS NEEDED: Manam Tu Ja believes the transformation of armed indigenous groups will take place eventually.
Despite the reservations by the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Aung San Suu Kyi, many believe that the 2010 election is the only solution to the country's problems. In Rangoon, upstart groups are springing up each day in preparation for the election, the date of which has yet to be announced.
The KIO has approved Tu Ja's decision and officially relieved him of leadership responsibilities. But on the other hand, the KIO and the United Wa State Army (UWSA) - the two most powerful armed ethnic organisations, which signed ceasefire agreements with the Burmese junta 20 years ago - are resisting the government's plan to transform them into state administered Border Guard Forces (BGF).
The KIO, with a fighting force of 4,000, and the UWSA, with 20,000 soldiers, are currently negotiating with the junta. Both sides are emphasising the importance of peace, and the use of political means to find a solution. The junta vanquished the Kokang, a much smaller armed group along the border with China, this past summer. A newly installed Kokang leadership has accepted the BGF proposal.
Some Burma observers think the junta might delay the elections. Pessimists even foresee a resumption of civil war in the north and in the east of the country.
There was news recently that the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) would form an interim government, probably in October, to handle the upcoming election. What is your opinion on this?
Yes, we heard about it. If it is true, it is for the good. I mean it must have been made with good intentions. Given the current situation, it might be better to let an interim government carry on the remaining steps of the (seven-step) road map (for democracy). It is better suited to convene the election and to hand state power over to the newly elected government.
How will the SPDC proceed with its plan to transform the KIO and the UWSA into Border Guard Forces?
In principle, the transformation of indigenous armed organisations is necessary in order to harmonise with the country's political transition, I mean toward a democratic state. However, in doing so, we may need to allow enough time, great patience, and unlimited consultation with the indigenous people.
Like many others, I can sense that both the SPDC and the ceasefire groups prefer negotiation to a resumption of violence; both sides do not want to lose peace that has been achieved so far. Therefore, until they get a good solution, more patience is needed to work toward it. I firmly believe this hurdle will be overcome and the transformation will take place eventually and peacefully.
There are some pessimistic views in the political circles in Rangoon regarding this issue. Some even forecast that the election might be postponed until this problem is solved. If you think the issue will be solved peacefully, can it happen before the election?
I cannot tell with certainty. However, it seems to me that this issue will be solved before the election. I know some (armed) organisations are saying that this issue should be relegated to the next government; well I think it is up to the (current) government. If the government decides to leave the issue to the post-election period, it can do so, but I think the government side appears to have determined to finish it first.
On their side, the peace groups wish that their status would be left as it is now and discussed in the coming Union Assembly, or be solved by the new government. But I think this is less likely.
‘‘ We are now clearly and totally separated from the KIO. It does not necessarily mean I do not like the old ways of politics anymore. I just choose the new way, the democratic, civilian way
According to Burmese state-owned media, you are one of the few people who have been viewed favourably by the government. If the government asks you to help negotiate with the KIO on the BGF plan, would you consider it?
I do not think the government would ask me to intervene in any manner. The government has been fully capable of solving the problems it has faced so far. Besides, the government's style of work is dealing directly with the parties concerned, allowing only those who are involved. I am totally out of it.
You have decided to form the Kachin State Progressive Party (KSPP). You are still a leader of Kachins and an ex-KIO leader. How much will the current transformation issue affect your efforts and those of the KSPP.
We have determined to play a new game, urban politics. As you know, I clearly have burned the bridge behind me. Therefore, I will say the KSPP has nothing do to do with the KIO, regardless of whether it can negotiate its stand with the government, or not.
Have you relinquished your KIO membership?
Yes, I have formally resigned both from the KIO leadership and from the organisation. I personally do not have a single stake left with the KIO. On the other hand, I have cooperated with the government's road map since the National Convention and I am still cooperating with it through my plan to form a political party and to stand in the coming election.
In this regard, I want to emphasise that the KSPP will be a political party based entirely on the urban population (in Kachin state); it will play urban politics only. The KSPP will be marching along with the flow of the democratic age. We are now clearly and totally separated from the KIO. It does not necessarily mean I do not like the old ways of politics anymore. I just choose the new way, the democratic, civilian way, and the way of urban politics. So, whatever is happening on the other side will not be related to us in any way.
What is the story behind the formation of the KSPP?
Last year the people in Kachin State called a mass meeting and formed a large group called Kachin State Transitional Period Leading Body. This body consisted of representatives from all walks of life, such as religious leaders, businessmen, scholars and people from political organisations like the KIO and other smaller ones such as the New Democratic Army Kachin (NDAK).
The KIO consulted with the transitional body regarding the coming election. Through the body the Kachin people expressed the belief that the election approach to political transition as an option should not be rejected entirely, since it is inevitable. So it was recommended that a political party be formed to contest the election.
The leading body of the KSPP was formed, with 53 representatives drawn from that Transitional Period Leading Body.
KACHIN ENCLAVE: The town of Laiza, Burma, near the border with China, is the home of the Kachin Independence Organisation. The region wants to keep a degree of autonomy.
There were 10 representatives from the KIO, of which I was one. Five of these have returned to the KIO and the remaining five, including me, are now with the KSPP.
So we are totally independent of the KIO, as I told you earlier.
Some who are from smaller political organisations other than the KIO have also become civilian politicians like me, and no longer members of any armed group. That is why I said we are totally independent of any armed organisation. We are now a political party in the true sense of the word, and based on the civilian Kachin population.
Does the KSPP intend to represent all the Kachin State?
Yes, we felt that there should be only one local political party for the whole of the Kachin state, though we will not oppose others in Kachin state that wish to have their own parties. But we will try to make an alliance and merge with them.
We expect that bigger national parties like the National Unity Party (ex-Burma Socialist Program Party) and the National League for Democracy (NLD), might decide to run in the election in Kachin State, and other government-supported proxy parties and candidates as well. Our party, as a local party, intends to embrace all peoples and groups, united in the state. I want to say that the KSPP is a geographically instituted political party, or a state-based party, not based on religion or ethnicity, and focused on the all-round progress of the Kachin state.
In this regard, I want to say that the KSPP is going to be a constructive party in all aspects, with positive attitudes.
Our purpose in founding a political party is not to oppose whatever the government does or is going to do. We will cooperate with anyone when we believe their ideas are beneficial to the Kachin state, as well as the union as a whole. We will open the doors of our party widely. There will be room for everyone and leadership opportunity for anyone who demonstrates calibre.
What will be the first activity of the KSPP once you have officially launched the party?
We have yet to set up our organisational structure systematically and launch officially. When the government allows parties for registration we will do so, and we will launch our organisational work with the Kachin public within the framework the government allows.
Will the KSPP's party work be limited to within the state?
Yes, it will be within the Kachin State.
Do you have anything more to say?
The constitution and the elections are the two important things we need to have in order to make a smooth and successful turning point in this era of our country's history. This is the only door which is open for us at this moment.
This is why we are starting now and starting where we can start practically. It is given by circumstances, not choice. But I believe, if we work on steadily along this line, one day - I say one day - we will be at the destination all of us have envisioned.
I know there are criticisms of the new constitution. But even if the constitution is to be revised or amended in certain aspects, the only ones who can do so are the elected persons who have come through the 2010 election, and the only venue is the Union Assembly.
There is no way to bypass the election and the Union Assembly created by it. This should be clear.
Myint Shwe (myint.shwe@gmail.com) is a Canada-based long time Burma observer and freelance journalist.
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