Mon 09 Nov 2009, Arkar, IMNA
In a joint statement issued, the Mon Youth Progressive Organization (MYPO) has condemned the Burmese government’s pressure on the largest Mon political group to disarm, and sides with the same Mon group in its stance of conditional refusal to participate in the 2010 election.
On the 3rd and 4th of November, the MYPO held their 2nd conference along the Thai-Burma border, bringing together Mon youth groups and people from around Mon state to determine the youth communities’ long term goals and plans of action. Decisions regarding planning and community goals were made based on discussions surrounding the current political situation and climate in Mon state, according to participants According to one MYPO representative, Nai Nyan Seik Ra Mann, their decision to support the New Mon State Part (NMSP) comes from the party’s decision to continue to fight for equal national rights for Mon people and the goal of a achieving a democratic Burma.
“If the government doesn’t reform the 2008 constitutions, the NMSP will disagree and refuse to participate in the 2010 election. If we have no promise of self determination, they will refuse to split their party and army,” Nai Nyan Seik Ra Mann explained. “They will not accept a change to a border guard force (BGF) by demolishing the army. I believed that this best political option we have. Thus we decided to take our position as one political group, to provide support [for the NMSP] and put pressure on the Burmese junta.”
Over the last 5 months the Burmese military has worked to convince the ethnic ceasefire groups located on its borer to accept a proposal to reduce their armed wings to a BGF, comprised of ethnic soldiers and a contingent of Burmese military officers. The formation of a single army under the government is a requirement of the constitution that was rewritten in 2008. The formation of the 2008 constitution is part of the proposed 7-step roadmap leading to the 2010 election. Mon 09 Nov 2009, Arkar, IMNA
In a joint statement issued, the Mon Youth Progressive Organization (MYPO) has condemned the Burmese government’s pressure on the largest Mon political group to disarm, and sides with the same Mon group in its stance of conditional refusal to participate in the 2010 election.
On the 3rd and 4th of November, the MYPO held their 2nd conference along the Thai-Burma border, bringing together Mon youth groups and people from around Mon state to determine the youth communities’ long term goals and plans of action. Decisions regarding planning and community goals were made based on discussions surrounding the current political situation and climate in Mon state, according to participants According to one MYPO representative, Nai Nyan Seik Ra Mann, their decision to support the New Mon State Part (NMSP) comes from the party’s decision to continue to fight for equal national rights for Mon people and the goal of a achieving a democratic Burma.
“If the government doesn’t reform the 2008 constitutions, the NMSP will disagree and refuse to participate in the 2010 election. If we have no promise of self determination, they will refuse to split their party and army,” Nai Nyan Seik Ra Mann explained. “They will not accept a change to a border guard force (BGF) by demolishing the army. I believed that this best political option we have. Thus we decided to take our position as one political group, to provide support [for the NMSP] and put pressure on the Burmese junta.”
Over the last 5 months the Burmese military has worked to convince the ethnic ceasefire groups located on its borer to accept a proposal to reduce their armed wings to a BGF, comprised of ethnic soldiers and a contingent of Burmese military officers. The formation of a single army under the government is a requirement of the constitution that was rewritten in 2008. The formation of the 2008 constitution is part of the proposed 7-step roadmap leading to the 2010 election.
democracy for burma 