The Promises of Panglong

A free homeland for the Tai
This, we agreed on at Panglong
The vows and promises we so solemnly made
And now, though it has never been told
By whom the promises were broken
We know who betrayed whom
But the Tai have always been true
Where are the vows and promises of Panglong
Have they all gone, I wonder, with Aung San?

The above song brings home to us the sadness that many Shan peoples feel with regard to the signing of the Panglong Agreement.

History has never been my strong subject, so I am afraid I do not have much knowledge of the Panglong Agreement and Union Day. What little I know of, is just my personal and simplified perspective, so do forgive me if I've got it wrong.

Some people have said to me there has never been a “Union of Burma”, and others say that there has always been conflict among the Burmese and the other ethnic peoples, and that is the reason why the Military regimes have thrived in their “divide and rule” tactics. All the same, I feel that the description of “union” is an individual and subjective matter, as much as the word “reality”, which really depends on one's own perception.

However, there was “unity” to a certain extent among some peoples of Burma, but sadly, it was not strong enough nor deep enough in the peoples' hearts to overcome the problems of Burma.

There were certainly discussions and comradeship between Aung San, Sao Shwe Thaike and the other ethnic delegates in their desire for a peaceful and united relationship between their peoples, but there were also power grasping people who were jealous and malevolent towards the wonderful spirit and great intentions of these esteemed and benevolent leaders.

There have also been a few different personal opinions on the Panglong Agreement, but life is such that one can either look at situations in a negative or a positive light, and history is made not just by one person or a group of people, but by the collective memory and views of all people.

Regarding Bogyoke Aung San, I would think that he was a considerate, admirable, charismatic and persuasive leader who cared for the peoples of Burma's welfare. History tells us that he worked hard for independence from colonial rule and for unity among different ethnic groups.
Anyway, on the part of Sao Shwe Thaike and other ethnic leaders, including the Kachin and the Chin, I understood that the main things they hoped and wished for were full autonomy in local affairs for ethnic peoples and the right of secession for the Shan peoples after 10 years if things didn't work out.

The bottom line was that the ethnic leaders who signed the Agreement did so without being forced to; it was because they trusted Aung San. They believed that he was a man of his word and got things done.

Regarding the Agreement

I understand that a complete account of what actually took place at Panglong has yet to be written.

According to what I have read, there were just nine points to it; the first four, regarding the selection of representatives to the national executive council, the fifth point guaranteed full internal autonomy for Shan State; the sixth, a promise to hold talks on a separate Kachin state; the seventh, a guarantee of fundamental democratic rights; the eighth, financial autonomy; the ninth, financial assistance to Kachin and Chin from the national treasury.

The tragedy was that the tenth point was never mentioned when the Shan, Chin and Kachin leaders signed the Agreement; which was, “the right to secede after attainment of freedom from Confederation with Burma, if and when we choose”.

I for one feel that the leaders should not have signed the Agreement without the tenth point. Understandably, we Shans could not help wondering whether the Burmese delegates had any intention of promising them the right to secede at all, hence hoodwinking the ethnic politicians by saying the matter was too complicated and to be discussed later at the constituent assembly. I read somewhere that the Burmese politicians had no intention of honouring Aung San's promises at Panglong at all.

Although the agreement was not “adequate”, a most important point is that in their hearts, the ethnic leaders' motivation was totally sincere, including Aung San's, who wanted only the best for their peoples, and perhaps rushing into an agreement because they did not want to waste any more time was one of the perils.

On February 12, 1947, the Panglong Agreement was signed, which led to the establishment of the Union of Burma, and hence this day has been celebrated every year ever since by the peoples of Burma as “Union Day”.

However, unfortunately, as it turned out, things did not materialize as the agreement promised, because on the morning of July 19 th Bogyoke Aung San and the whole interim cabinet including Sao Sam Htun of Mong Pawn, one of the three Shan statesmen, were assassinated at the constituent assembly.

Although the Panglong conference happened 60 years ago, the Shans still hold on to the Agreement as a very important part of our history, because it was the dream, the vision and the courage of our leaders who got together and did what was necessary for the future and welfare of their peoples. The Panglong Agreement also was a good beginning for the building of a new relationship based on equality and mutual respect between the ethnic peoples and the Burmese.
The Shan Democratic Union (SDU) had on Union Day 2004, pledged to restore “the Union as aspired to and as intended by our founding fathers”.

The full text of the Shan Democratic Union statement:

Today February 12th, in a small town, Panglong, in the Shan State , an accord that gave birth to the Union of Burma (Pyidaungzu) was signed by the founding fathers of the Union , 57 years ago.

Thus the Panglong Accord of 1947 established a Union of National States, which was co-independent and equal.

However, the Union, which was founded on democratic principles and on national self-determination as inspired to by the founding fathers and the whole people of the Union, did not materialize.

The SDU has taken up the task of restoring the Union as aspired to and as intended by our founding fathers.

We call on the people and nations of all states, leaders, political parties, fronts, armies, activist networks, societal associations, women and youth, to join together to restore the true Union , and to also rebuild our country, our state, and our respective communities and ethnic cultures, languages, traditions, and restore pride in our diverse ways and our unique identities. The Shan State has now been united, with all leaders, parties, armies, and societal and activist networks connected by a cohesive framework of action based on the principle of Common Goal, Diverse Actions. This unity will give us the strength to meet all challenges and to create and utilize opportunities to fulfil the aspirations of all of us and to honour the founding fathers of our Union .
The task ahead is not easy, and especially it is difficult to attain a peaceful and orderly political change and to restore the good life to all our people. Although the task and the path ahead will not be easy, retreat is not our option. Neither is standing still. We – the SDU – believe that our compatriots of all nationalities will meet the challenges and overcome all obstacles.

Onward to the Second Panglong.

We look forward eagerly to the day when there will be another, much better, Panglong Agreement, with all the complete and necessary steps to implement and benefit all the ethnic peoples of Burma.

Let us make it possible to build a nation that reinforces and carries out the Union of our collective spirit.

Let us remember and celebrate Union Day with love, joy, optimism and comradeship, and capture the spirit of Panglong once again.

by : Taisamyone