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SDU

14 February, 2008

On behalf of the people of Shan State, the Shan Democratic Union is saddened by the abrupt and untimely departure of Pado Mahn Sha and could hardly find words to express our sense of loss and helplessness.

We are honoured to have had numerous friendly personal contacts with Pado Mahn Sha, which would continue to live within our memory.

It is an accepted fact that he was a man of honour, patriotism and integrity with a clear goal and insight in charting the political destiny of not only for the Karen people, but also for the whole Union of Burma in general.

No doubt, it is a great loss for all of us, but we must continue to strive harder to fulfil his dream and aspiration, if we are to repay him for what he had sacrificed for all of us.

Finally, at this time of sorrow and period of moaning, we would like to stress that our minds and sympathy are with Pado Mahn Sha's family, the leadership of Karen National Union and the Karen people.


May Pado Mahn Sha rest in peace.

With deepest sympathy and solidarity,


Sai Wansai
(General Secretary)
Shan Democratic Union

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FBR

 Karen State, Burma
14 Februrary, 2008

Dear friends,

Tonight we learned that our friend P'Doh Mahn Shar, General Secretary of the Karen National Union (KNU), was murdered in Mae Sot, Thailand. We do not yet know the details but we want to pass on our sorrow and sympathy to his family. We are very sad that someone would kill him and we hope that the perpetrators are brought to justice. We learned this news while we are on a relief mission in the Karen State, to try to help those attacked and displaced by the dictatorship of Burma.

All around us here are people who know of terror and murder first hand. P'Doh Mahn Shar is not the first to be senselessly murdered. His murder will not be the last, unless people of good will all over the world help to bring change to Burma.

Even though P'Doh Mahn Shar has been killed, his memory lives on and his acts of kindness, resolve and tireless work for the freedom of his Karen people and for all those oppressed in Burma lives on. He is missed, but the work he dedicated his life to; freedom, justice, self determination, and reconciliation, and a Burma where all live in dignity will go on. We will always feel the loss of this leader who worked for a democratic Burma, but all of those who love freedom and justice will continue on inspired by his stand .

His family, friends and the KNU have our prayers and love at this time.

God bless you,
The Free Burma Rangers
(Sent directly from Karen State, Burma)
http://www.freeburmarangers.org/