Black Thursday for Kawthoolei & last Interview

Mizzima News
February 14, 2008

Pado Man Shar, general secretary of the Karen National Union, an ethnic Karen rebel group, died today after being shot by two anonymous gunmen.

Man Shar was shot by two gunmen who pulled up in a vehicle around 4:30 p.m. (local time) in front of his residence in the Thai-Burmese town of Mae Sod and stormed into the building, local residents said.

A neighbor of Man Shar said, "They fired one shot, followed by another two shots."

The Karen rebel leader was on the first floor of his residence in Mae Sod when the two assassins drove up in a van at about 4:30 p.m. (Thai Standard Time), came upstairs and shot him.

The gunshots hit Man Shar in the chest, reportedly killing him instantly.

Eyewitnesses said the two gunmen, after shooting Man Shar, got back into their vehicle and headed into town.

With only two office workers on the ground floor of his residence and no security guards, the assassins easily found their way into the house and upstairs to the unsuspecting Man Shar.

The body of Man Shar is still at his residence. Meanwhile, Burmese activists and pro-democracy groups expressed their condolences and deep regret for the unfortunate fate of the Karen rebel leader.

One of the two gunmen, who arrived in front of Man Shar's residence in a dark colored four wheel vehicle bearing the no. 425, greeted Man Shar with 'How are you,' in the Karen language, before taking out his gun and shooting him. The other assassin, who closely followed the first man, is also believed to have fired shots at Man Shar.

A Mizzima correspondent who later arrived on the scene said that so far a 9 mm bullet has been recovered and that Thai police are conducting an investigation.

An eyewitness said both assassins are approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall.

An eyewitness said one of the assassins has a dragon tattoo on his right palm and both the gunmen look over 30 years of age.

The two gunmen, who kept nearly ten feet of distance between them when entering Man Shar's house, were heard speaking and greeting him in the Sakaw Karen dialect.

Two KNU office workers on the ground floor rushed upstairs at the sound of gunfire. As the assassins came down, one of the gunmen fired an errant shot at the two office workers.

Pado Man Sha, age 64, is survived by two daughters and a son.

We reproduce here Mizzima's interview with Pado Mansha
on February 12, 2008

Q: Will the SPDC'S announcement on Saturday lead to democracy in Burma?

A: No, these announcements won't lead to restoration of democracy in Burma, but will lead to perpetuation of military dictatorship in Burma.

Q: Why did the junta issue these statements both surprisingly and hurriedly?

A: International pressure mounted after the September Revolution. It is very clear that the people inside Burma cannot tolerate the situation any longer and it has become unbearable. The regime is worried about the hindrances and stumbling blocks in their planned road map due to international pressure and UN participation. It is very clear when you see what they said in their press conference held on November 16. They said very clearly that they would not accept any interference from anyone in regard to their roadmap. It means they will go ahead with their pre-planned roadmap. They won't accept any intervention from both the UN and the international community.

Q: Can they really hold general elections in 2010?

A: They cannot hold general elections whenever they wish. They issued Notification 1/90 before. We must first ask them how they will implement their previous notification. They cannot do anything without implementing their previous notification at anytime in 2010 or 2020.

Q: They have a track record of holding such referendums and elections using coercion and intimidation. Can they repeat it this time?

A: Yes, they can. But the May 1990 election produced unexpected results for them. So they formulated the National Convention and Road Map to make the unwanted election result null and void. This time they will have fail safe planning to win by any means. We must consider concrete and resolute responses to counter their plan this time.

Q: What is likely to happen?

A: We cannot accept their current course. We must stand by the idea of mobilizing masses and mass movements.

Q: What are the responsibilities of the people?

A: The people can do many things. For instance they can resort to political, economic and social non-cooperation. These are examples of some responses they can make. At the same time, we must promote and intensify our political struggle, mass movements, armed struggle, international campaigns, and international pressure among other things. We must communicate with the junta in the language they understand. They will not care if we continue and pursue the usual policy of appeasement with them.