Scotland Decides for Independence or Better together

Scotland decides for “Yes Independence” or “No, thanks we are better together”. The Ethnic States in Burma, the Kachin and the Shan States are waiting interestingly to see the outcome of this referendum.

I am not a Scottish nor English by nationalities, but as a Shan British citizen, I am familiar with both the situation of Scotland and the ethnic States in Burma. I was born in the nineteen thirties, when the Shan States were under the protection of Great Britain. In spite of being colonised, the Shan States was peaceful, where there were good governance, law and order and most of all the right of internal self-determination. In Central Burma too the Burmans stopped fighting with and bullying others. When the British, left things deteriorated and by 1962 hell broke loose.

In the case of Scotland, at least the people of Scotland have a choice to decide whether they want independence or stay together, where as neither the Kachin nor the Shan State are fortunate enough to have that freedom of choice. The Shan States, according to the “Panglong Agreement had the right to secede, so the Burmese Military by force of arms invaded the Shan States to stop the Shan States from secession from the Union, although the Federated Shan States were not intending to.

The Scots and the English have fought several international wars together for more than 300 years, and they are part of what had made Britain great. They have explored and conquered and together became the British Empire. They have made mistakes, but the British have always try to learn from the past. It has one of the best democracy and Parliament in the world, although they are not perfect. The people enjoy freedom, which is lacking in many countries of the world.

I can also understand why Scotland wants independence, but if Scotland becomes independence, both countries will become chaotic especially in the financial and industrial institutes, as seen by the gradual falling of the sterling pounds recently. Although different in nationalities I am sure the ordinary Scottish and the English peoples as a whole have the same values, and both English and Scots work and live in each other's countries. It will be sad to use the differences in nationalities and the past grievance to divide the UK into two.

No doubt the present Government in White Hall needs to change their policies: to think of people as humans rather than commodities, and make societies more equal. After all, people just need enough food, shelter and jobs to be happy and contented. In order to make the world a happier place the British Government will also have to change their Foreign policies, be stricter and more consistent in their principles when dealing with all rogue Governments, and not sell arms to them, and refrain from supporting them for its own economic reasons at the expense of human rights victims. They should realise that crimes are crimes and terrorists are terrorists whether they hide behind the curtain called Governments just because they have powerful weapons.

It would be good if Scotland continues to be a member of United Kingdom and together, the United Kingdom can teach the world to be a better place, not by colonisation but by examples of high principles and values, especially in the present troubled times all over the world. Many Scots that came to the Shan States during the 1886-1948 had good reputation of being excellent administrators and advisers to the local Sao Hpas of the Shan States.

Why then do I want the Shan State to be independent from Burma Proper? It is because the Burmese military has treated and treating all the ethnic nationalities most atrociously since 1962, and their desire to control other ethnic nationalities by force of arms has not altered. They are still attacking ethnic armies and villagers in spite of the cease- fire process.. The ethnic nationalities are still subjected to extreme suppression, they have no rights of freedom, equality or self-determination- in fact they have no voice or rights at all.

In Burma, if the Ethnic Nationalities have the same privileges that Scotland has as member of the United Kingdom then there would be no reason why the Shans would want to secede from the Union of Burma. The more force the Burmese Military regime uses, the more the people of the ethnic States will rebel. It is human nature. Peace and reconciliation can come to Burma only when the Burmese Military/politician can mend their superior and authoritative attitude towards other ethnic nationalities. Until now the Burmese Military have not yet shown any remorse or regret for the criminal and terrorist acts they have committed against countless ethnic citizens of Burma and they have not shown anything attractive for the ethnic nationalities to want to work with them.

The contributor is the daughter of the ruling prince of Lawksawk and the author of “My Vanishing World”.