Col Gaifah, deputy commander of the Shan State Army-North, has decided to return to the military-organized constitutional convention after his absence in protest of the arrests of Shan leaders in February, according to sources in the North.

Out of 4 of the delegates who accompany him, only one, Lt-Col Harn Seuk, is from the original delegation. The rest are all newly selected by the recent annual meeting: majors Awng Aye, Awng Myint and Than Htay (Haw Lern).

The decision, hotly debated was taken after major ceasefire groups had suggested that his presence was necessary, said Gaifah to S.H.A.N. this morning prior to his departure for Rangoon.

“The 13-group alliance that had presented a joint federal proposal last year has been hurt by the forcible surrender of the SSNA (Shan State National Army)’s 6th, 11th and 19th brigades as well as the PSLA (Palaung State Liberation Army) early this year,” he said. “There is therefore a need to demonstrate that the rest of us are sticking together.

The 52-year old commander of the SSA-North however refused to divulge what the alliance’s plans were. “We still have to meet first and decide what to do,” he insisted.

The SSA-North, in its 22 November statement, has promised not to resort to the use of force except in self-defense. It has also vowed not to lay down its arms until a constitution that guarantees “the equality and self-determination of all national races” has emerged.
Other sources meanwhile say ceasefire groups in southern Shan State have already arrived in Rangoon.

The 13 groups that had called for “more powers to the states” in the 17 May- 9 July 2004 session of the National Convention were:
• Shan State Army
• Kachin Defense Army
• Palaung State Liberation Front
• New Democratic Army-Kachin
• Kachin Independence Organization
• Kayan National Guard
• Karenni Nationalities Peoples Liberation Front
• Kayan New Land Party
• Karenni National Progress Party (Hoya splinter group)
• Shan Nationalities Peoples Liberation Organization
• New Mon State Party
• Shan State National Army and
• Mon Armed Peace Group (Chaungchi)

Their joint presentation included the following points:
• Concurrent legislative power for the states
• Residuary powers, meaning those that are not articulated in the Constitution, to the states
• The states to draft their own constitutions
• Separate school curricula for states
• Separate defense force for each state
• The states to conduct their own foreign affairs in particular subjects
• Independent finance and taxation