ENCOMIA I do, withoutreservation, recognize President Mahn Ba Zan as a great leader in the Karen Revolution. During the entire Karen revolution, he had completely fulfilled all his given responsibilities, never indicated any weakness nor yielded to the enemy, adhering firmly to the Karen weaponry, and took full military as well as political leadership part in struggle against the adversary. He left the unfinished revolution in the hands of the lower leaders.
Although the great leader Mahn Ba Zan has passed away, the military and political strategy that he had organized and systematized is being continually followed by the Karen people in the fight against their foe.
And even though he is gone, his work is still alive and enduring.
General Saw Bo Mya
President, Karen National Union (KNU),
President, Democratic Alliance of Burma (DAB),
President, the National Council of Union Of Burma (NCUB),
Commander-in-Chief, Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)
(April 13, 1993)
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- The President Mahn Ba Zan that I Knew
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To work with solidarity until the achievement of Karen and Mon States;
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Communication and sharing information between Karen and Mon about foreign contacts;
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To use only one common currency once Karen and Mon States have been gained;
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To enter together into the fight for independence, and to regard injury to the Karen as injury to the Mon, and vice versa.
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From U Tin Maung Win
Mahn Ba Zan was from Maubin District of the Delta area. Even back in his college student days, he never put up with unnecessary oppression and had always taken part in the resistance against expansionists. In the demonstrations of 1938 when the students surrounded the Secretariat where Bo Aung Gyaw had fallen, he was among those beaten by the service cudgels of the colonialist British lackeys.
During World War II when the Japanese occupied Burma and the Burman-Karen communal strife took place, he tried his level best to regain understanding and peace between the two peoples.
After the Second World War, in the Karen national movement, he was a member of the KNU (Karen National Union) Central Executive, Chairman of the Karen people defense organization, Chief Editor of Thuwanna Taing (Golden Land) newspaper, a working member of the KNU Central Executive since the beginning of the Civil War in 1949, and faithfully served alongside the leadership of the lofty visionary great President, Saw Ba U Gyi.
While the thinking and outlook of the KNU organization was still unclear and undefined, it was President Mahn Ba Zan, who, in 1956, began the task of formally adopting KNU as the name of the party, and organized and set in operation progressive political functions. After independence was obtained in 1948, he was also the one who led the Karen people, with smooth relations with other resistance groups, in the united fight against the AFPFL (Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League) who were in power.
Mahn Ba Zan and I were also signatories to the historical four pledges* made by President Saw Ba U Gyi and Mon President Naing Hla Maung. In the cooperation and implementation of projects between Mon and Karen, President Mahn Ba Zan, with invariable sincerity, saw to it that there would be no uneven obstacles. In linking up with leftist powers such as the Burma Communist Party and the People’s Volunteer Organization, he focused on accomplishment and increasing the momentum of the rebellion. In meeting and associating with other nationalities of Karenni, PaO, Kachin, Arakanese and Shan, he was at the head of organization and consolidation for equality and self-determination.
During the resistance fight against the (Burmese government) BSPP (Burma Socialist Program Party) by the NULF (National United Liberation Front), which came into existence with U Nu of the PDP (Parliamentary Democracy Party) as President, he (Mahn Ba Zan) firmly supervised and aimed toward the smooth accomplishment of the required tasks.
In the establishment and inauguration in 1976 of the NDF (National Democratic Front), which was to oppose the superior ethnic policy by the non-Burman nationalities, President Mahn Ba Zan organized all the non-Burman nationalities to oppose the superior nation policy of the enemy military dictatorship. His leadership has enabled the growth of the NDF, and by the time of the 8888 uprising, the DAB (Democratic Alliance of Burma) was born.
While the world has come to recognize and support the NDF and DAB, President Mahn Ba Zan has gone to another world. It is very sad that he did not live to celebrate the day of nation-wide victory and the Karen rebellion that he had throughout his life nurtured and guided. May President Mahn Ba Zan has reached and now reside in Heaven are our wish and prayer.
Naing Shwe Kyin Preside, New Mon State Party (NMSP) President, National Democratic Front (NDF)
The Mon-Karen Four Pledges
October 10, 1947 Moulmein Congress
President Mahn Ba Zan that I Have Met Still reminiscing. Will always be remembering. 
Mahn Robert Zan, son of Mahn Ba Zan, the very intelligent and visionary great Karen l eader in the post-1945 Burmese history of armed rebellion, approached me saying that he wished to make recordings on tape before his father’s death, to later produce a book on his father, requesting an introductory note from me, and thus I am writing this with the title of ‘President Mahn Ba Zan that I Have Met’.
When I was living in Rangoon, I heard about him through government newspapers, magazines and radio; and according to the enemy government’s customary usage, he was famous as a leader of the Karen insurgents. In my mind, I have assumed that President Mahn Ba Zan was a man of high dignity, and thus pretentious and vainglorious.
It was toward the end of 1973 that I met him for the first time at a village where the KNU had its central headquarters. I was awe stricken the moment I saw him. He was quite different from what I had imagined him to be. When I first met him, I was just over twenty in age. When I lived in Rangoon, I have met people of all walks of life for a number of times. In associating with these people, I have noticed that they were mostly dignified but haughty and supercilious.
At the time I first met him, even though I was just a young person, in talking and associating with me, he displayed none of the arrogance and nobility, but rather connected with me on equal terms. He regarded me with reciprocal respect. It can be seen that he especially valued democratic principles. He was completely open without any pretension.
In the 1976 conference and exchange of ideas between ethnic nationalities, his exceptional intelligence and far-sightedness became evident. Thirteen armed organizations attended that conference. Each organization submitted its own paper and proposals for discussion. There was quite a disparity in their proposals, the differences approaching that of oil and water. President Mahn Ba Zan very patiently and tolerantly explained the adjustments needed with changing conditions based on research that he had made. He was able to satisfactorily analyze and resolve the differences in the proposals. He was able to fill in the wide gap between the political arena and the scope of armed rebellion existing in Burma. This gap represents the most important and relevant aspect in the armed rebellion history of Burma. It is still existing to this day. Meaning that, on May 10, 1976, the NDF was organized and established. Because the common functions were acceptable to the majority, the NDF came into existence. After the NDF was formed, the respective armed revolution forces were able to come together under the NDF banner.
The uniting together of the different armed revolution forces under the NDF flag was because of the endorsement for equality, self-determination and expression. In every meeting, President Mahn Ba Zan almost invariably advocated genuine federalism and the establishment of the Union of States. He was a leader able to correctly study and weigh the situation and carried out what was appropriate, instead of what would be requisite.
No one can deny that, although he was a Karen leader, he had always striven for all the ethnic nationalities in Burma to attain independence, equality, potentially advanced and continually peaceful Federal Union of the country.
It may not be incorrect to think that the national democratic programs accepted and followed by the armed revolution forces in Burma, at present, are those that had been laid down by President Mahn Ba Zan. The basic principles of the NDF are those that had been introduced by President Mahn Ba Zan.
He was a person who loved all nationalities, fully permeated with a united spirit and one who foresaw victory only through the United Front. He unfortunately lost the sight on both eyes before he passed away. Even during the time that he was unable to perceive light, he attended all the NDF conferences. He tended to dispense necessary advice. I visited him before his death at his daughter’s home at Kawmoora. Although he was unable to see, he enthusiastically entered into discussion about politics. Among our discussions, I still recall a very distinct point. Victory would be achieved only with the United Front (NDF). Discussions that Burma’s problems of the ethnic nationalities could be solved only through the accommodation of equality and self-determination are still vivid in my mind today.
There is still one point of his that deserves great respect. Having been an educated person of very wide and mature experience, and also a man of great capability and intelligence, he was a highest leader in his organization, and also the highest head of the United Front (NDF). However, when he passed away, he did not appear to have accumulated any tangible worldly possessions. This really is a very commendable as well as respectable aspect of his. What he left are his will and spirit in the conviction that the United Front would be victorious, and the achievement of equality and serf-determination established in a genuine Federal Union of the country. His convictions and Spiritual intent are still alive and strong.
Khine Soe Naing Aung General Secretary The National Democratic Front (NDF) -------------------------------------------------------------------
From Saw Ba Thin
At the beginning of the revolution, having been a very intelligent and enthusiastic young leader, President Mahn Ba Zan was given the task of commanding the KNDO (Karen National Defense Organization) troops. He was the very first KNDO Major General. He had amassed vast learning and experience about the Karen people, and had always been loyal to the Karens as a leader. He was a leader who appropriately led the Karen revolution in accordance with the situations in the country. He was also the principally responsible leader who spearheaded the establishment of a genuine Federal Union. His practical leadership was in the uniting of the different ethnic nationalities. He was the leader in organizing the National United Front. In the same manner of properly leading the Karen revolution during the period of confusing politics in the country, he was also able to re-establish the union of the people within the Karen revolution.
President Mahn Ba Zan was thus a truly patriotic Karen leader. He was a leader with especially great concern and sympathy for fellow battle-tested Karen revolutionary elders. In writing the history of the Karen revolution, it will not be complete without including the very important chapter on President Mahn Ba Zan. As a chieftain, he had instilled a sense of duty to his children, and managed to properly educate and instruct them about their indebtedness to work for the Karen revolution.
I am extremely proud to have this opportunity to eulogize President Mahn Ba Zan in his biography. The Karen revolutionary concept of President Mahn Ba Zan will always prevail and be in vogue.
P’Doh Saw Ba Thin General Secretary, Karen National Union (KNU) Prime Minister, Kawthoolei Government.
From U Kyaw Hla
It was a mid-November, 1977 winter morning, and although the cool season had set in, the day, unlike others, without any fog, was not too cold. And even though sun had risen well above the horizon, the inhabitants of Kawmoora town, situated at an oxbow of Thaungyin River, had not stirred yet. Since my arrival in this area was quite recent, I made a quick mental assessment of this free ground, comparing it to the government BSPP (Burmese Socialist Program Party) part of the country.
My thoughts were that in areas under the BSPP (Burma Socialist Program Party of General Ne Win) government, not only that people have to worry about their own sustenance but have to constantly be alert against government spies, who might knock on the door to check on the guest-list of any home, rendering people sleepless nights, and here in the freedom of Kawmoora, with no restrictions on trade and livelihood, and away from the various BSPP threats, the townspeople can live peacefully, having perfectly secure and restful nights.
That day at about 9:00 AM, I went over to the home where President Mahn Ba Zan was staying. My good friend Major Robert Zan introduced me to him. The President first of all inquired about my health and general disposition. I told him that battalion commander Colonel Htaw Hla and deputy battalion commander Major Than Maung have seen to all my needs. As a new arrival to the liberated and free area, I was secretly delighted to be sincerely greeted and received by a top leader of the revolution.
Afterward, the President asked about the situation of my resistance movement, aim and objectives. I then started by mentioning the movement leaders being the brave hero Mahn Ngwe Aung (Major ThawThi), and continued as follows:
“While in Rangoon, we were under the military, and frequently monitored the situation of Burma. We often met and discussed the hardship in sustenance that people have to face because of BSPP’s deviation from the proper Socialist economy, pretentious patriotism and persecution of the people through religious differences, creation of ethnic hatred, and the suppression of democracy, thereby exacerbating the civil war. All of us agreed and accepted that the culprit for all these is the militant policy of the BSPP.
“ Thus, only when this militant group is eliminated, the entire populace of the country will be removed from poverty and suffering, religious persecution, and can have freedom of worship; and be able to recreate the consolidation of all the nationalities of the country. There is a consensus among all of us that only then would there be cessation of the civil war, and the entire people in the country can have prosperity with a recreation of a new era. Simultaneously, our aim would be that the unpalatable dictatorship will be eliminated, and a Federal Union with genuine democracy will be formed,” thus was my statement. The President listened intently to my account, and as though something important had been lost or was amiss, he uttered an imprecation and said, “ The BSPP blokes accuse you of rebelling against the country, when, in reality, they are the ones who betray the country. They suppress and kill the people, and are destroying the country. The resistance people are patriots. They are rebelling against Fascism for the benefit of the country and the people”, and he further continued, thus:
“Today (meaning the 1977 period), there are various systems and policies in the world. The worst policies are those of Fascism. Should the world be brought under the Fascist system, darkness would cover the entire globe and the whole populace could reach the point of annihilation. Therefore, to rid Burma of the Fascist policies, it is necessary that all the nationalities unite and consolidate with faithfulness, and unyieldingly and resolutely enter the battle.” It is as though constantly hearing President Mahn Ba Zan’s exhortations. President Mahn Ba Zan has crossed over already to another Life. However, the President’s impeccable concepts shall survive eternally.
May President Mahn Ba Zan enter the Good Promised Land.
Kyaw Hla President Burma Muslim Liberation Organization Joint Foreign Affairs Officer The National Democratic Front. --------------------------------------------------------------------------
My friend Robert Zan,
I am particularly delighted to be apprised of a biography on your father, President Mahn Ba Zan, by you, his own son and my friend. When I unexpectedly met you and you asked me if I would write a Foreword / Tribute, I agreed without any hesitation. Simultaneously, what thought came to me but the remembrance of my father U Win’s words.
The time was December 17, 1969. Not being able to continue living inside the country, and having decided to go underground, I went and paid homage to my father who was meditating at a religious retreat. Then said my father, “ My son, you will be traveling through the Karen Revolution territory. Till now, the Burman-Karen problem has not yet been resolved. Hatred is still rampant, and thus your journey will be perilous. However, don’t worry about anything. There is my student and good friend, who is also a wise person, Mahn Ba Zan. Just make sure that you contact him. Let him know that you are the son of U Win. He ought to be able to take care of you.”
After this cautionary advice, my father continued, “OK, my son, it makes no difference anyway, I’m coming with you. Go ahead and see to your preparations; I cannot endure living inside the country as if I were a dead person; before I die, I wish to enter the battle for democracy till the end.” Sadly, my father could not tolerate the rigors of the very severe journey through the jungle. Along the trip, he succumbed to the heart problem that developed and was totally ignored and left untreated throughout his four years of imprisonment at the YayKyiAing detention camp by BSPP authorities. You might remember our having missed each other when we reached the KNLA First Brigade territory, although we arrived at our intended destination quite safe and sound.
Not long after we joined the ex-Premier U Nu-led Parliamentary Democracy Party, we became closely related to President Mahn Ba Zan, General Bo Mya, P’Ddoh Than Aung, Major General Maung Maung, and other leaders. It was with great difficulty that (Tat-Nya-Lat)- (NULF – National United Liberation Front) was organized. It was here that President Mahn Ba Zan’s political maturity and his efforts could be clearly demonstrated, and furthermore, his explanation, with priceless clarity, and of maintaining a course from veering toward the extreme leftist or extreme rightist policies, and of keeping the best interests of the Karen people in the foremost.
Later, I often conferred with him individually, and we exchanged political ideas. There were occasions when we argued. There were times when he had to fill us in on the problems of the Karen State that happened before our time. The President’s guidance and counsel were very highly cherished and thus, in my 30-year political journey, they turned out to be invaluable lessons, lighting my way as a bright torch in the midnight darkness.
To be frank about it, over a month before the passing away of Vice-President P’Doh Than Aung, I spent a night at his house. We warmed ourselves near the fire during the cold night, discussing endlessly about the political scene for the future. I can now recall what P’Doh Than Aung said at that time, “Ko Tin Maung Win, if only my teacher President Mahn Ba Zan was still alive now, it would be very nice to watch the revolutionary battle that is going on today. It’s a great loss that President Mahn Ba Zan died too soon. We have acquired a considerable amount of his knowledge, and yet, as the value of light can be appreciated only when darkness appears, it is when the revolutionary battle becomes ferocious that we come to realize his great worth.”
My dear friend Robert, we are not young anymore. It is a time of great importance for the united Karen-Burman relationship. The union of all revolutionary forces is also very important. The humanity that Christ desires should significantly get to the front position. It is necessary to make a sharp division between genuine human beings and fraudulent ones, those who can behave like and follow the tenets of humans and those who cannot. Only then would human rights become more distinct (full of equality, freedom and similar rights), and a peaceful world could be established. It is a wish that it would be really nice if the President can be still alive and continue to lead us in this sorely needed time for union and solidarity.
May President Mahn Ba Zan be eternally under the care of the Lord God.
Tin Maung Win President Committee for the Restoration of Democracy in Burma (CRDB)
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