Shan representative office inaugurated to mark 61st National Day

Shan representative office inaugurated to mark 61st National Day
Solomon & Phanida Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com) February 7, 2008 In commemoration of the 61st National Day and in order to highlight the struggle of ethnic Shans for freedom, equality, democracy and human rights, a Shan representative office was inaugurated today in Germany.
Spearheaded by a volunteer, Nicholas Ganz, the representative office will act as a liaison office for Shans and highlight the sufferings and struggles of Shans in Burma. Nicholas Ganz, in an interview with Mizzima said, the representative office, which he named "Shan Embassy" will mainly deal with Public Relations in regard to the Shan people's political struggle and will represent the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS). "The main purpose of the embassy [liaison office] is to represent the Restoration Council of the Shan State in Europe and in other countries politically," Ganz told Mizzima news. Ganz, who will be heading the office said, the office came into being after discussions with leaders of RCSS, a political wing formed in 1998, and several visits to the Thai-Burma border, where thousands of Shan refugees continue to suffer as refugees and migrants after fleeing their homes in war-torn Shan state. "The situation in Shan State is really one of despair because the whole Shan state is occupied by the ruling Burma Army and it has unleashed real war on them so the people are really suffering a lot," said Ganz. In his statement on the inauguration of the Shan representative office released on Wednesday, Ganz said, "Now it is time, to transform some of the bullets into words and spread the words around the world. Words, that speak about the desire for freedom, equality, democracy and self-determination and the culture of the Shan people." Ganz said the office will also act as a source of aid that will raise funds and donate to Shan people who are suffering such as refugees, orphan and farmers. The office was inaugurated on the 61st Shan National Day to make a difference in the history of the struggle of the Shan people, Ganz said. Meanwhile, Shans in Thailand and other countries today held separate ceremonies in commemoration of the National Day, which symbolizes the unity of the people of Shan State. On February 7, 1947, four days prior to the Unions Day of Burma, the leaders of different ethnic groups living in Shan State came together to adopt a common flag and national anthem as a symbol unity as a nation. "This is a significant day in the history of the people of Shan State. Wherever we are, we will always maintain the same spirit and observe this day," a Shan youth told Mizzima on the sidelines of the National Day ceremony in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Along with ethnic Chin and Kachin, the people of Shan on February 12, 1947 joined hands with ethnic Burmans, represented by General Aung San, and signed the historic Pang Long agreement, which eventually led Burma to independence from British colonial rulers. However, the people of Shan state were among the earliest ethnic groups that rose against the Rangoon regime, when the spirit of the Pang Long agreement was violated after the death of General Aung San, who is regarded as the Independence father of Burma.