An interview with the spokesperson of the RCSS
September 11th, 2021
There is intense fighting between the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) and the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) in Kyaukme and Hsipaw Townships in northern Shan State and Kyethi and Mongkai Townships in southern Shan State. Both Shan armed groups issued statements saying that they were ready to hold a dialogue. But seeking the solution to the problem through a dialogue remains difficult. Shan political parties, social organizations and people have made demands for an end to the ongoing fighting several times in order to reach an agreement and ensure reunification between two Shan armed organizations. But the problem remains unresolved. Fighting continues there. The NMG interviewed the RCSS’s Spokesperson Major Sai Kham San about difficulties to hold a dialogue, the RCSS’s attitude towards dialogue and how to end the ongoing fighting.
Q: Both the SSPP and the RCSS have the same desire to hold a dialogue. May I know the main reason why the dialogue doesn’t materialize yet?
A: At present, there is constant fighting. Fighting has not stopped yet. Fighting is taking place in four townships of Shan State. Fighting is taking place in Kyethi and Mongkai Townships in southern Shan State and Hsipaw and Kyaukme Townships in northern Shan State. The SSPP will welcome the RCSS’s desire to hold a talk. Holding a dialogue is the only way to seek the solution to the problem. But the point is that the talk will not achieve success if there is a pre-condition that the RCSS first withdraws its troops to the south. We cannot start a dialogue if offensive operations have not stopped.
Q: Which form of restriction do you mean?
A: The restriction is that the SSPP wants to hold a talk. But the pre-condition is that it shall hold a talk if the RCSS first withdraws its troops to the south. This pre-condition is called “restriction”.
Q: Will the RCSS hold a talk only when there is no pre-condition?
A: We can seek the solution only when there is no pre-condition. There is no prospect of success if we hold a dialogue with pre-condition instead of the solution-seeking method.
Q: One side wants to hold a talk with territorial restrictions while the other side wants to hold a talk without any restriction. How will the talk happen? Is there another means to stop ongoing fighting?
A: The SSPP has not stopped its offensive operations yet. The RCSS has not carried out an offensive yet. The RCSS has to carry out defensive operations against the RCSS’s offensive. It is very simple. The SSPP needs to stop fighting if it really wants to hold a dialogue. The RCSS shall continue to carry out defensive operations if the SSPP continues it. The RCSS has not carried out a counter-offensive yet.
Q: The SSPP said fighting takes place when the RCSS enters the northern Shan State. It doesn’t intrude on the RCSS’s territory and attack the RCSS. May I know the situation on the ground?
A: It is just an accusation. There is a long history about their active areas in northern Shan State. As a matter of fact, our battalion-701 is active in northern Shan State.
We have been active in Muse and Namkham for 20 years. There may be overlapping of territorial areas. It cannot say that it is not related to the area as that area is controlled by them.
Q: You mentioned earlier that it is difficult to hold a talk due to pre-condition. To what extent, is the prospect for the emergence of a talk if the SSPP still sticks to its pre-condition?
A: It depends on them. To what extent, do they want to hold a dialogue? We always say our stand in a transparent and simple manner. We constantly say it. Our statements mainly focused on dialogue.
Q: How will you continue to deal with the conflict over territorial restriction?
A: Firstly, the RCSS doesn’t carry out an offensive. We will carry out defenses as we want to avoid fighting and pay attention to the demands made by the monks and the public. Secondly, we need to take account of the fact that as an ethnic armed organization, we safeguard Shan people as the number of IDPs is increasing. This is the main point.
Q: In its recent statement, the SSPP said it gave a reply letter to the RCSS’s suggestion to hold a dialogue. Territorial designation is included in the statement. What do you want to say about the reply letter?
A: One point included in the statement is that they replied to the RCSS’s letter. In the past, the RCSS sent a letter to the SSPP. They replied to the second letter. The reply letter said that the RCSS sent a letter to them. The RCSS sent the additional letter addressed to the Chair of the SSPP. The RCSS sent letters twice. This is the reply to the RCSS’s first letter. The SSPP has not replied to the RCSS’s final letter addressed to the Chair of the SSPP yet.
Q: What matter was included in the second letter sent by the RCSS to the Chair of the SSPP?
A: I have no comment on it. Because it is the military affair and unity affairs.
Q: Due to intense fighting, the people suffer big losses. Political parties, social organizations and the people called on both sides to stop fighting. How will you respond to their demands?
A: We pay attention to the demands made by the people and monks. That’s why we don’t make counter-offensive operations. We are trying to stop ongoing fighting. But the other side doesn’t stop offensive. We carry out defenses against it as we want to avoid fighting. As a strategy, we don’t carry out an offensive as we want to stop fighting.
Q: Do you have anything to add?
A: The main point is there are more than 3,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Mongkai and more than 2,000 in Kyaukme and Hsipaw. According to the rough estimate, the total number of IDPs has reached nearly 6,000. Locals, monks, youths and Shan people from home and abroad are helping the IDPs. Firstly, I would like to express my thanks to it. Another point is the people shall face more difficulties as long as fighting lasts longer. Fighting would bring no benefits to our ethnic people. Our enemies would benefit from it. We can compare it. After the military coup, the people face higher commodity prices. Due to it, the people are in big trouble. Another problem is displacement. Locals had to return to their villages when there was no fighting. Now, some villages are torched. They also fear that they may get oppressed. They are fearful of their safety. I would like to urge ethnic armed organization to earnestly think about it. I would like to say thanks to youths and months who are helping the IDPs.
Sent by the NMG.
