SSA-S leaders prepare to set up businesses

Wednesday, 25 January 2012 22:03 Phanida

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – After signing its cease-fire agreement with the Burmese government, Shan State Army – South (SSA-S) leaders have concluded a seven-day tour of businesses in three cities.

At the invitation of the government peace team led by Railway Minister Aung Min, a seven-member SSA-S team visited Rangoon and Mandalay and a three-member team visited Muse in northern Shan State.

“Our visits are just to survey businesses,” said Major Sai Lao Sai. “We looked at basic economic activities such as agriculture, livestock, gem stones, metal mining and timber extraction.”

Part of the peace negotiation process involved Burmese government assistance in establishing businesses for Shan leaders to operate in their control areas.

Major Sai Lao Sai said they planned to grow long-term cash crops such as tea in their control area but other businesses such as gemstones, mining and timber extraction are also under consideration.

The SSA-S leaders returned on Tuesday. The Burmese government invited SSA-S leader Lieutenant General Ywet Sitt to go along, but he didn’t accept the invitation because other talks and negotiations have not yet concluded, Major Sai Lao Sai said.

During meetings with government officials in Taunggyi in Shan State on January 18, the SSA-S requested government ministers to assist in providing technology and helping to set up SSA-S businesses as soon as possible.

During the peace talks, the union government signed an agreement in principle on 11-points that include implementation of economic activities, development work in the region, delineation of SSA-S control areas and opening of liaison offices.

On other matters, the government peace team leader, Aung Min, told the SSA-S to negotiate further with local military commands to reduce the number of government forces in the area around SSA-S headquarters and around Ho Mein and Meng Htar townships.

“If the government does not reduce the troop buildup in our HQ area, the implementation of our businesses will be delayed. How can we live in such a small area with so many of their troops,” said Major Sai Lao Sai.

The SSA-S will hold a central committee meeting in a few days, and then negotiate for a reduction of Burmese troops in their area, he said.