Veteran ethnic politician's book circulates in Rangoon

by Phanida

Wednesday, 09 January 2008 00:00

A political book penned by veteran ethnic Shan politician, U Shwe Ohn, is circulating with gusto in political circles in Rangoon, sources said. The book, 'Let us build an indestructible federal union', has 17 chapters that focusses on the historical background of different nationals living in Burma, the formation of the Pagan kingdom, the historic Pang Long agreement and the constitutions of Burma. U Shwe Ohn (86) told Mizzima, "It has been 60 years since we established a union but till today there is no genuine federal union in Burma. So, I have written this book in order to help form a genuine federal union." A politically aware youth, who has read the book, said, it has 311 pages, and has been written from historic and legal perspectives. Pointing out the flaws of Burma's 1947 constitution, U Shwe Ohn in his book said, "the Nyaunghnapin Constitution is not for Burma, and it is not for other states either. It is only helping the military dictatorship." "Though he is a Shan ethnic, he has not written the book from a Shan perspective alone. He has properly studied other ethnic people and also refers to them. I have actually gained a lot from the book. Reading this book is like getting a priceless historic legacy," another youth, who read the book, told Mizzima. Shwe Ohn said, photocopies of the book, which will be published, if the Burmese Censorship Board passes it, is currently under circulation among politicians and friends for review. A graduate in Law, the Shan ethnic politician is a colleague of veteran Shan politicians U Tin Aye, U and Tun Myint. The trio, in 1993, had jointly written a political book titled 'The whereabouts of the third federal union'. In the same year, Shwe Ohn submitted a paper titled 'The eight states' federal union' to the junta's National Convention, which ironically earned him a year in prison. The veteran politician, Shwe Ohn, is currently living in his residence in Myay Ni Kone of San Chaung Township in Rangoon. < Prev   Next >