An interview with Colonel Khun Okka, patron of the PNLO which is a member of the PPST
The New Mon State Party (NMSP) has submitted a resignation letter to the the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) which was formed of the EAOs which signed the NCA. This resignation comes two years after Naing Aung Min, Vice-Chair the NMSP serves as an acting leader of the PPST, succeeding acting leader General Ywet Sit.
The PPST was comprised of the the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA), the Karen National Union (KNU), the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), the KNU/Karen National Liberation Army Peace Council (KNU/KNLA-PC), the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), the Chin National Front (CNF), the All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF), the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the Lahu Democratic Union (LDU). However, the RCSS, the KNU and the CNF withdrew from the PPST, following the military coup.
The IMNA interviewed Colonel Khun Okka, patron of the PNLO which is a member of the PPST about the reason for the NMSP’s withdrawal and the impacts caused by the withdrawal of the members from the PPST.
Q: It is known that NMSP has submitted a letter to withdraw from the PPST. Let me know the situation?
A: That’s what we just heard. I don’t know the background history. It’s not like the NMSP completely withdrew from the PPST. Now we have three plus sign groups namely, the CNF, the KNU and the RCSS. Of them, the RCSS has a lot of cooperation. They participate where they deserve to participate. For instance, we are included in the foreign affairs committee. The RCSS delegate attended the meeting invited by the ASEAN Special Envoy. They take all of the rations and money from the international community. Some members are not fully included in the executive team. So, the level of cooperation is high. It has been two years since the NMSP’s leader serves as an acting chair of the PPST. These are the burdens inside the PPST. It is assumed that the team leader finds it a little bit difficult to take responsibility and accountability as talking about three or four topics in a group, the arising problems and the addition of projects hamper the Nay Pyi Taw team. So, they will join as much as they can. I think the inclusion in the plus sign group shall have less accountability and reasonability. It looks like the work will be done together. However, it is found that the level of accountability and reasonability will be reduced.
Q: It’s not like the NMSP completely withdraws from the group, is it?
A: No. We can’t withdraw like that. Signing the NCA is concrete. Since the NCA was signed, a group that signed the NCA cannot be invalidated as an illegal association. They are exempt. They are exempt from the Counter-Terrorism Law. It is impossible to withdraw from the NCA signatories as they are exempt from the Unlawful Association Acts and the Counter-Terrorism Law. However, The plus sign group is for each group. It means that they will work on something beneficial and no longer be in the mess of solving the problem. This is the reduction in the level of accountability and responsibility.
Q: When did the New Mon State Party post a letter to withdraw from the PPST?
A: I think the last week of April. I don’t know exactly.
Q: I also heard that when discussing with the military council, they sent a letter saying that if there are no new members, the discussions will be temporarily suspended. How is that situation?
A: I heard that too. I think there may be political pressure about disciplines for the inclusion of new members. As for the PPST, we have to stay with a plus sign. I asked them to think again. In fact, if the organizations leave the PPST one by one, the PPST’s value and peace process will be affected a lot.
Q: Now, the NMSP submits the resignation letter to the PPST. Finally, what would you like to say about the PPST’s landscape?
A: We will hold discussion with all members after having submitted the resignation letter. Mainly, I want to know the exact reason. We will make a decision in the coming meeting. We also respect each group’s right to self-determination. We have to respect the decisions of other groups. We have to take the level that we can cooperate with as much as we can.
Sent by IMNA