Why NMSP refuses to transform to BGF?

Monday, 01 February 2010 21:19 Kyaw Kha

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – January 30 this year, the 1st Waning day of Tabodwe, was the 63rd Mon National Day.

But Mon people are prevented from preserving and promoting their literature, language and culture with adequate freedom, an official of ‘New Mon State Party’ (NMSP) Foreign Affairs Department told Mizzima.

The NMSP, which is striving for ethnic rights for Mon people and rights of self-determination, arrived at a ceasefire agreement with the military junta in 1995.

But so far they have been unable to have a political dialogue with the junta. On the contrary, the regime is urging them to convert its troops into the ‘Border Guard Force’ (BGF) under Burmese Army control. But NMSP has rejected the junta’s proposal.

Mizzima reporter Kyaw Kha interviewed NMSP Foreign Affairs Department Deputy In-charge Nai Chan Mon on the party’s political stand and the feelings of the Mon people.

Q: Please explain the current situation of promotion and preservation of Mon literature and language. Do you face any obstacle in this?

A: We have Mon educational institutes for Mon language and literature. In some places and in some villages, there are harassments and restriction in our work. They harass Mon teachers but we don’t know their intention behind this.

Q: Can you freely work for Mon culture? Do you have the right to preservation of your culture?

A: Regarding Mon culture, we have our own style and work in our own way. We cannot vouch and say we have freedom in teaching our language and preserving our culture. Sometimes they force us to change the name of a street in the Mon language into Burmese. Sometimes they convert our Mon cultural monuments forcibly, for instance, the Mon Cultural Museum. In some places, they try to eliminate the Mon language.

Q: What are the political, cultural and economic requirements for tackling such obstacles and harassment?

A: I think it will be better if we can rebuild our nation based on national accord with unity and solidarity of all ethnic people in our country. This will be a win-win situation.

Q: The NMSP rejected junta’s BGF proposal. Why was it rejected?

A: Our party in principle has decided not to accept the BGF. Our party leaders said that we cannot accept this proposal because the approved 2008 constitution is quite different from Federal principles. Twenty five per cent of seats in the legislature are reserved for Tatmadaw (Armed Forces). We have never seen such a provision in any constitution before anywhere.

The junta is determined to go ahead with its plan without making any reforms and changes. Moreover our Mon people look to future prospects like other people. We cannot accept this proposal if there is no dialogue and negotiation. This is in keeping with the Mon people’s demands made to us. So we rejected the BGF issue at the end of 2009.

Q: Is a war likely to break out as a consequence of your refusal? How is the SPDC (junta) putting pressure on your organization?

A: Not at the moment because we intend to maintain peace and the ceasefire agreement. On the junta’s part, there’s no military pressure on us. There is a status quo.

Q: Are you ready to resist if the SPDC army coerces you militarily? What are your plans?

A: We cannot talk about it now.

Q: We have heard that NMSP had to give its list of personnel to SPDC. Don’t you think it undermines the independent entity of your organization?

A: This is usual practice where we give the list annually to the junta. We gave the list when we reached a ceasefire agreement with the regime. The list is asked for once every year and we give it to them every time. It’s not significant.

Q: NMSP says it will join hands with alliance organizations facing a similar fate in achieving self-determination rights. Do you anticipate SPDC’s displeasure and possible termination of the ceasefire agreement if you join hands with non-ceasefire groups?

A: It is difficult. Thinking about it or not thinking about it is known more by our party leaders. Our grassroots level has little knowledge about it.

Q: Do you think the 2008 constitution approved by the military junta, can guarantee ethnic people’s demands?

A: We don’t think the 2008 constitution can guarantee ethnic rights. In brief, the 2008 constitution is quite different from the basic principles of a Federal State. So we cannot accept this constitution.

Q: How do you view the 2010 general elections?

A: Our party leaders have not yet taken a decision on the general elections and disclosed their thoughts.