06.05.2007
The National Democratic Front of Burma
This week, on May 10 2007, the National Democratic Front of Burma has reached its 31st Anniversary.
Background History
Ethnic peoples of Burma namely, Chin, Kachin, Karen, Karenni, Arakanese, Mon, Shan, Pa-o and Palaung participated in the struggle for independence along with the ethnic Burmans. Negation of restructure of Burma into a federal union and consequent suppression of their aspirations by successive governments that came into power after independence prompted the ethnic peoples with no other alternative but to make resistance. The Post-Independence Burmese government’s denial of conceding to the right of self-determination added more members to the ethnic resistance.
Realising that only by forming united front could victory be attained, a number of united fronts were formed one after another; but, lacking in a common acceptable policy, those united fronts did not survive long.
And then, on 10the May 1976, basing on popular policy and programme, the National Democratic Front (NDF) came into existence.
Formation of the National Democratic Front
Under the sponsorship of the Federal National Democratic Front, a consultative meeting was held on the 10th May 1976 and a consensus was reached to form the National Democratic Front under a common programme.
At that meeting the Karen National Union KNU President sounded out the prevailing ideas of all the parties and blended with his ideas to draw up a common programme acceptable to all the participants in forming the National Democratic Front. Members of NDF were, _
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The Arakan Liberation Party(ALP)
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The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) |
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The Karen National Union(KNU) |
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The Karennni NationL Progress ve Party(KNPP) |
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The Lahu National Unity Party(LNUP) |
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The Union Pa-O National Organisation(UPNO) |
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The Palaung State Liberation Organization(PSLO) |
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The Shan State Progress Party(SSPP) |
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The Kayan New Land Party(KNLP) |
The NDF Executive Members at the Formation of the Front _
Mahn Ba Zan (KNU) Chairman
2. Khun Ye Naung (UPNO) Vice Chairman
3. Pado Baw Yu Baw (KNU) Secretary)
4. Major General Tamala Baw (KNU) member
5. Padoh San Linn (KNU) member
6. Sai Thi Ha (KNPP) member
7. Major Saw Mon Na (KNPP) member
8. Win Naing (KNPP) member
9. Khaing Soe Naing Aung (ALP) member
10. Khaing Yee Linn Aung (ALP) member
11. Col. Bon Taing (SSPP) member
12. Major Sai Han (SSPP) member
13. Major Lah Dweh (KIO) member
14. Major Joe Zet (LNUP) member
15. Kyaw Kyaw She (LNUP) member
16. Capt. Kyaw Hla (PSLP) member
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Saw Bo Mya |
The union Pa-O national Organisation had for private reasons left the NDF not long after the NDF was formed. The vice Chairman Khun Ye Naung therefore was considered automatically removed from this post. Col. Bon Taing was appointed in his place as the new Vice Chairman of the NDF. When Chairman Mahn Ba Zan retired on account of his health in December 1976, General Saw Bo Mya was elected as the chairman of the NDF in the presidium held in January 1977. |
Best Wishes
We here wish for the NDF to achieve its ultimate aim of genuine Federalism for all ethnic nationalities in Burma.
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