Speaker of Parliament Shwe Mann voiced his apparent support for the introduction of federal union in Burma during a visit to Taunggyi, Democratic Voice of Burma reports. He made the remarks during a public speech to an in the Shan State capital, according to Sai Aik Pao, the chairman of the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party. “U Shwe Mann said that federalism must be granted, but that it should be a style of federalism that conforms to our country,” Sai Ai Pao was quoted as saying. Burma’s ethnic rebels groups have long called for more political autonomy for their regions under a federal structure.