Karen leaders pushing for peace

A Karen National Union leader claims the KNU is working to make peace between the Myanmar government and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and restore harmony in Myanmar’s northern state of Kachin.

General Saw Mutu Say Poe, KNU’s newly-elected chairman, spoke after a press conference between the government’s central peace-making committee and the KNU in Nay Pyi Taw on Saturday.

“The government has called for ceasefire measures as a first step towards internal peace. [So far] no success has been achieved in this context. However, it is necessary to continue meaningful talks towards a ceasefire. [Also] there is a barrier to some parts of a political dialogue in the Kachin conflict. But we will continue towards peace efforts,” the KNU leader said.

According to the committee vice chairman Aung Min, President Thein Sein and KNU leaders discussed steps to continue peace efforts during a meeting before the press conference. They made a decision to hold round-table talks with all ethnic armed groups, he said.

The strategy was proposed by KNU leaders, he said. Aung Min also revealed that President Thein Sein had a plan to invite national ethnic leaders, including the Karen, to the reception of Union Day, which falls on February 12. 

“About 40,000 war refugees in Laiza (headquarters of the Kachin Independence Organisation) is not [too high a figure]. [But] the number has reportedly increased as the war escalates – 40,000 in KIA-controlled areas and 40,000 in government-controlled areas. Local people have fled for a year, as there is no security. Many children have lost their education, health and social opportunities. We have talked about addressing those difficulties in every peace talk,” Aung Min said.

“The government is giving aid to those refugees in its controlled areas while NGOs are also helping in the KIA-active areas,” he said.

“The UNHCR has also offered aid. The government approves the help but Kachin leaders need to accept it. Both sides need to take security responsibilities. We are willing to accept any organisations, but within the framework of principles.”

Padoh Mann Nyein Maung from the KNU said: “We have requested the president and his government reduce the offensive and make a ceasefire. We will seek practical solutions. It is true that local people are voicing their concern over a worsening situation if the war continues. More than 60 years of war experience has made them feel insecure. Our nation’s tribal groups, including the Karen, do not accept many paragraphs in the 2008 Constitution written by the government.”

“When the issue comes to a negotiation table, we will view the problem among our brethren as that of our own. We will resolve differences in round-table talks. The government’s stance will be the same as well.”

President Thein Sein and KNU leaders talked about taking steps to cease the war in northern Kachin State and hold political dialogue during their meeting prior to the press conference on Saturday.

The meeting was arranged after the president invited the KNU delegation to attend. It was the second meeting between the president and KNU delegation, sources said.