Press Statement
Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman
Washington, DC
November 7, 2005

Burma - Shan Leaders Sentenced

The United States condemns the secret trials and sentences of eight Shan political leaders to lengthy prison terms announced by a Rangoon court on November 2. Hkun Htun Oo, hairman of the United Nationalities Alliance – Burma's foremost coalition of pro-democracy ethnic parties -- was sentenced to 53 years and two life sentences, with six other leaders also receiving multiple life sentences.

These actions demonstrate that the junta's so-called "Roadmap to Disciplined Democracy" is neither credible nor inclusive. We call on the regime to release Aung San Suu Kyi, U Tin Oo, Hkun Htun Oo and all other political prisoners immediately and unconditionally, and to allow their full participation in a meaningful political dialogue leading to genuine national
reconciliation and the establishment of democracy.

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2005/1049

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2005/56581.htm

OFFICE OF THE SUPREME HEADQUARTERS
KAREN NATIONAL UNION

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KAWTHOOLEI
KNU Statement on Sentencing of Shan Leaders to Long Jail Terms

November 12, 2005

We, the Karen National Union (KNU), issue statement as follows with regard to the SPDC military regime’s sentencing to long jail terms of Shan leaders Khun Tun Oo to 92 years, Sai Hso Ten to 106 years and others, including Sai Nyunt Lwin, to 75 years.

The Shan leaders are those who have been endeavouring for the emergence of national unity, democracy, genuine federation and true peace. As the arrest and giving long jail sentences to them are a matter totally off the track of legality and justice, we protest the act.

Meting out such unjust penalties to the Shan leaders lays bare the true character of the SPDC’s so-called policy of national unity. Though the SPDC leaders have been shouting the slogans of “Non-disintegration of the Union”, “Non-disintegration of national unity” and the “Rule of law” etc., their acts are entirely against the spirit of their slogans. If they continue to act in this manner, their acts will adversely affect national unity.

For that reason, we solemnly call upon the SPDC to immediately cease its arbitrary acts, rescind long jail sentences given to the Shan leaders, including Khun Tun Oo, release unconditionally all the political prisoners at the same time and initiate meaningful dialogue right away.

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10 November, 2005 - Published 15:09 GMT

KNU calls upon the Military Government to release the Shan Leaders

KNU's General Secretary, Phado Mhan Shar
KNU, Karen Nation Union condemned the SPDC for sentencing to long jail terms of Shan leaders, U Khun Htun Oo, Sai Hso Ten, U Sai Nyunt Lwin and other Shan nationals.

The KNU accused that the military government has been shouting the slogans of " Non-disintegration of the Union, Non-disintertegration of national unity and the Rule of Law, their acts are entirely against the spirit of their slogans.

STATEMENT ON HEAVY IMPRISONMENT TERM HANDED DOWN TO THE EIGHT SHAN POLITICAL LEADERSHIP BY THE SPDC

The heavy imprisonment term handed down to the eight Shan political leaders - Sao Hso Ten to 106 years, 92 years for Htun Oo and 75 years each for the rest - have been expected, but still the people of Shan State has hoped that the SPDC would be farsighted enough to handle this politically delicate issue in a more matured manner.

As it turned out the Burmese military regime is now determined to plough through its own prescribed plan without reservation.

The Military has always been giving lip service to the unity and oneness of the peoples living within the Union of Burma, but this latest stunt or miscalculation is running contrary to what it professes to uphold.

The long-term imprisonment of the Shan leadership is, in fact, the total subjugation of the people of Shan State, in the form of neo-colonisation, and as an extension, to all the other non-Burman ethnic nationalities. It is incredible that at this age of globalisation and development, such backward racial chauvinism or supremacy could still take hold and is allowed to go uncheck.

In the same vein, the detainment of NLD leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and one thousand or so political prisoners nation-wide is aimed to subjugate the democratic aspiration of all the peoples of Burma.

It is now evident that the military regime's mind is made up to completely annihilate the people's wish of meaningful democratisation by holding Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and influential political figures under incommunicado and suppress the rights of ethnic self-determination by imprisoning the Shan leadership.

Further, the threat of leaving ILO, the planned reconvening of National Convention to force finalized its constitutional blueprint, the moving of state machinery to Pyinmana, upper Burma, are but indications that the military regime is "digging in" and isolation is looming larger than ever.

We are thankful for the sympathy and condemnation of the military's act in this juncture to all our ethnic brothers and sisters and to the NLD and CRPP for their support in these dark hours of seemingly unachievable national reconciliation, due to the illogical approach of the military regime.

Given such circumstances, the ethnic-based and main stream political opposition parties should double their combined effort for the realisation of national reconciliation and democratisation in a true sense of the word.

Shan Democratic Union
Dated: 7 November 2005

E-mail: s.wansai@onlinehome.de

RCSS Statement

6/2005
Date: November 7, 2005


We the RCSS, condemn the SPDC for sentencing long jail terms on its political rivals. They have sentenced, 90 years for Khun Htun Oo, 106 years for Sao Hso Hten and 75 years each for other members. Khun Htun Oo is the Chairman of the Shan National League for Democracy (SNLD), the political party formed legally according to the SPDC’s rules and regulations. Sao Hso Hten is the chairman of the Shan State Peace Committee (SSPC), who once fought against the military regime and had made a truce in order to find a solution by peaceful negotiations. Until detained by the Burmese generals, they were working in harmony and cooperation with other ethnic nationalities, for the reconciliation of Burma.

Their peaceful efforts and devotion were rewarded with long jail terms. The plain truth is, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Khun Htun Oo were detained, because they get support from the majority, both from home and abroad. The SPDC’s secret trials and sentences proved that, “There are no Rule of Law at all, in the so called Union of Myanmar”, even in the capital.

It was the Ethnic Nationalities, who had sown the seed of unity in founding the Union of Burma. It’s them, who are doing their utmost, in order to find every possible means to achieve equality, freedom and democracy for all. It’s clear that the SPDC are not on the way to solve the problems by a peaceful mean. Military might seems to be the only solution in their mind, in order to hold desperately on their reigns.

We admire and honor Khun Htun Oo, Sao Hso Hten, Sai Noot and others, for their devotion and sacrifices, even knowing what their fate would be. We call on all compatriots to condemn the military dictators. In the end the good will overcome evils. Justice will overcome injustice. The struggle for freedom and democracy will goes on until it could be achieve.

Central Committee.
Restoration Council of Shan State.