LEADERS UNCHANGED AFTER MON CONFERENCE ( Kao-Wao ) February 4, 2003

LEADERS UNCHANGED AFTER MON CONFERENCE

(Reported by Gong Ong, February 4, 2003) Kao Wao

The fifth congress of the New Mon State Party, held at its Headquarters, wrapped up on February 2, 2003.

According to the source from the NMSP, Dr. Nai Shwe Thein, Nai Chan Toi and Nai Ong Min were extended with the existing six CEC leaders.

The NMSP elected seven CEC members at the last conference but Nai Min Htut, a CEC member, was assassinated by the splinter group last October. Nai Chan Toi, a young intellectual leader from Moulmein University lost his CEC position at the last conference because of his favouring opinion on the cease-fire policy.

The 5^th congress elected 7 Military Committee members, 27 Central Committee members and 9 Central Executive Committee members led by President Nai Shwe Kyin and Vice-President Nai Htin.

The NMSP issued a statement including five major tasks to strengthen the unity among the Mons, to build solidarity with other nationals, to achieve a nationwide cease-fire agreement, to urge on a political solution with tripartite dialogue and to establish a multi-party democratic system and a genuine Federal Union in Burma.

The party is not satisfied with the current political situation after the cease-fire agreement as it has nothing to bring on a political solution. We will cooperate with other alliance and democratic forces for a future change, the party's official statement said.

According to the statement after the conference, the party is deeply disappointed with the regime’s organized land confiscation where land owned by local Mon people is confiscated for military reasons. There will be further problems and misunderstanding between the two sides (NMSP and SPDC) while the government continues to build new military bases located very close to the NMSP controlled area.

“The President is 91 years old and the Vice-President is 82. They need to transfer the tasks to the young generation for future leadership. This is why the party has included more new members in the team” Nai Shwe Thein, a new elected CEC member said to Kao-Wao.

“We cannot remain silent like this after seven years of cease-fire agreement, we have to speed up the process for a solution. Even if there is no change in the leaders, there are some changes in our policies and we will not be quiet anymore”, Nai Shwe Thein who holds a new position as a Chief of the Administration Department added.

The party reminded each member to strengthen their role toward establishing a sovereign " New Mon State " , the party’s fundamental aim. To achieve this goal the only solution is to urge all ethnic groups, to pressure for a political dialogue as well as using other means of struggle for victory with the support of the Mon people, the party's statement reaffirmed.

Nai Shwe Kyin (a) Nai Ba Lwin founded the NMSP in July 1958 when the Mon Peoples Front (MPF) surrendered to the U Nu’s Parliamentary government declaring to Mon supporters that it was an exchange of arms for democracy. Since it was founded Nai Shwe Kyin (90 years), who now lives in Moulmein retains the position of President. Vice-President Nai Htin resides in the Headquarters at BeeRee in southern Mon State. The party reached a cease-fire agreement with the Burmese military in 1995.