The Shan State Army (SSA), a rebel army which has been fighting for an independent Shan state, made a request for peace talks on Tuesday, June 11, but officials in Rangoon were unreceptive. The ruling military regime in Rangoon, which calls itself the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), stated that the SSA must lay down their arms in order for negotiations to begin, a condition which the SSA will not agree to. Rangoon has labeled the SSA a “terrorist” group and plans to continue its offensive.
