Mon Party Ponders the Constitution and Election

By THE IRRAWADDY

Naing Han Thar is general-secretary of the New Mon State Party (NMSP), a major ethnic armed group based in Mon State. The party signed a cease-fire agreement with the military regime in 1995. Naing Han Thar talked with The Irrawaddy about the party’s policies, the constitution and its view of the 2010 general elections.

Question: Would the NMSP join the election if the military regime reviewed and amended the constitution?

Answer: We continue to wait and see the extent to which the new constitution is allowed to be amended, even if they talk about a review. We will decide whether we join the upcoming election depending on how far or near the amended constitution meets our needs.

Q: What would the NMSP want to see changed [in the constitution]?

A: Currently, the constitution is designed to form a unitary state. There are no ethnic rights. There is no special power though the ethnic states have their administrative autonomy. But Burmans have their rights. The ethnic people don’t have their national, cultural and literature freedoms. Based on these factors, it will be impossible for the constitution to bring about national reconciliation. This is one fact that we are not satisfied with.

Another fact is that there is very little about human rights and democracy in the constitution. The future Burma won’t be a democracy under this constitution. If we were allowed to amend it, the first thing we would do would be to create a democratic system in the constitution. The current constitution gives 25 percent of the seats [to the military] in the House of Nationalities, House of Representatives and the Parliaments in the states. It shouldn’t do that and should be amended. If the military wants to have seats in the parliament, enter the election. The military is actually made up of civil servants.

Also, the military leaders take special powers. They take the positions of some ministries. The commander-in-chief of the military has the special right to appoint these positions in accordance with his desire. That is not a democratic practice. Also, it is not reasonable that the National Security Council has the right to make a coup [rescind the government], if necessary. All these factors should be amended.

Regarding the ethnic nationalities, they should have the right to build their own states. There would be eight, or more than eight [separate] nationalities, with their literature and other characteristics.

The states must have an equal autonomy and administrative power. Some minority ethnic groups also must have administrative powers to govern their own ethnic people.

Q: What is your future strategy if the regime doesn’t offer any concession to your proposals?

A: I can’t say. Our stand is to discuss the problem on the table. We don’t want an armed conflict between us. We will maintain the cease fire as long as we can. For the time being, I can only say what I’ve said.

Q: Do you think the 2010 election can solve any problems?

A: We have no rights in accordance with the current constitution. Therefore, even if we had people elected, what kind of special chance do we have? Our political problems can’t be solved if the election will be held in accordance with this constitution.

Q: What do you say if other cease-fire groups join the election?

A: Do as you wish. We don’t have anything to say. Even if Mon [some] ethnic people enter the election, we don’t criticize them. In the opinion of our party, the current constitution is neither beneficial nor special to us.

Q: At the last NMSP party conference, was an election strategy discussed?

A: We reviewed the constitution in the conference. Then, we discussed our future stands. Nobody discussed the fact that we should enter the election.

Q: Are there factions that want to break away from the NMSP and join the election?

A: We don’t see it for now and don’t think it will happen.

Q: How long will the cease-fire agreement remain in place, if the NMSP doesn’t take part in the election?

A: The principle of a cease-fire is to seek solutions to political problems. This is the right policy. But the opportunity to solve the political problems and achieve mutual cooperation hasn’t occurred after making the cease-fire. We were urged to attend the National Convention to try to seek political solutions. But the majority of participants at the convention were those they handpicked. The [constitutional] principles are their work. The cease-fire armed groups presented their needs, but the regime recognized nothing. In this situation, we didn’t have any more options.

Q: Are there ongoing discussions among the cease-fire groups?

A: Yes, we have regular discussions.

Q: After Gen Khin Nyunt was sacked, who do you now communicate with in the military regime?

A: Currently, we meet with the regional commander of the Southeastern Military Division. Sometimes, we met with his representatives. Mostly, we meet with the regional commander, and our relationship is good.

Q: After issuing statements that didn’t support the National Convention and the constitution, did you experienced any pressure from the regime?

A: No. We did it carefully. And we only talked about our political positions. It didn’t change things, because they have their position and we have our position.

Q: How has the NMSP benefited from the cease-fire?

A: There are some benefits from this cease-fire. Before that time, villagers didn’t live peacefully, and they were on the run. They were forced to be porters and were beaten. There were no economic opportunities. Now, they have a better chance to earn incomes. In some places, roads were built and transportation has improved, resulting in the growth of real estate values. The produce from the farmlands can be transported and sold in the markets of the cities.

Another point is that our party now has better access to the Mon people living in the towns and cities. We have discussions with them about politics and are able to form a consensus. We can also promote the education sector. In the health sector, we can give training to health workers. The NMSP also helped the villagers to regain some of the land that was confiscated by the regime.

Q: What are the difficulties remaining after 14 years of cease-fire?

A: Many difficulties. But we tolerate the situation as much as we can. We need to receive more financial assistance for our people. Currently, we can barely cope with the situation. It is not enough. We tolerate as much as we can for the sake of the people.

Q: Do you think international pressure is effective?

A: In my opinion, some [economic] sanctions affect the regime, and some don’t. There is no consensus among them. Our neighboring countries approach the regime to exploit the country’s natural resources. The pressure is not effective because of a lack of unity.

From the side of the regime, the economic sanctions have prevented an international dialogue. But due to sanctions, the regime is facing difficulties. They also must consider the future. Given these facts, the economic sanctions can’t be said to be ineffective.