When the French left Indo-China, three countries-- Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos -- were created. When the British granted Independence to India, it separated into two countries -- India and Pakistan. When Malaya was granted independence, it became three countries -- Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.

General Aung San wanted to avoid the break-up of Burma and signed the Panglong Agreement with the Shan, Kachin and Chin leaders "believing that freedom will be more speedily achieved by the Shans, the Kachins and the Chins by their immediate co-operation with the interim Burmese government".

Only the Shans were granted the right to secede from the Union of Burma ten years after Burma's independence, because the Federated Shan States was governed seperately from Burma by the British Colonial Administration. The thirty four (34) Shan principalities which composed the Federated Shan States was governed by Sawbwas (Princes) similar to British indirect rule with the Sultans of the Malay states. The Federated Shan States had the same right as the Sultan of Brunei to declare independence and become an independent nation.

The Panglong Agreement is a legal document which granted the Federated Shan States the right to declare independence ten years after Burma's independence. No military dictator can abridge this legal right vested to the Shans by the Panglong Agreement. The Panglong Agreement is a legal treaty which will be recognised by the United Nations and the International Court of Justice.

By arresting the ten Shan leaders, General Than Shwe is precipitating the break-up of Burma since the Shans have the legal right to declare independence.

General Than Shwe has already granted independence to the United Wa State Army, their valued partners in the Narco-Dictatorship. No Burma Army troops or Burmese police are permitted in Wa occupied territories. Chinese rather than worthless Burmese currency is used in the Independent Wa State.The Wa's use China's country code '86" for international telephone calls.

General Than Shwe's corrupt military government is responsible for the break-up of Burma. They have destroyed Burma to economically benefit their family and their business cronies.

- Asian Tribune -