KIO Disapproves of Shan Secession
April 26, 2005

The Kachin Post

The Kachin Independence Organization, a cease-fire group in northern Burma, has expressed their disapproval of recent declaration of independence of the Shan State and the formation of a Shan government led by Shan prince Sao Surkhanpha.

“Such act could harm national unity and lead to disintegration of the Union and thus, we disapprove of the declaration on seceding from the Union to from a separate state,” according to a KIO statement released on April 21. The statement also appeared in the state controlled The New Light of Myanmar newspaper.

On April 17, a group of Shan elders led by Sao Surkhanpha formed the government of Federated Shan State and declared that Shan State independence of Burma.

The Burmese military government immediately responded by declaring the Shan government an outlawed organization and announcing that the activities of the group are dangerous to the stability of national solidarity and it would lead to disintegration of Burma.

Over twenty political groups have released statements opposing Shan independence. These groups include cease-fire organizations, government affiliated social organizations and political parties, such as the National League for Democracy.

The Kachin Independence Organization had been fighting successive Burmese government for an independent Kachin State since 1961. However, the organization signed a cease-fire agreement with the Burmese military government in 1994.