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Government troops overran KNU headquarters at Manerplaw in 1995, and since that time the group has lost ground in its fight for greater regional autonomy.

 

 

In the last decade, other political developments have weakened the KNU. Neighboring Thailand had for many years adopted a policy of tacit collaboration with the Karen and other armed ethnic minority groups along the Thai-Burma border, hoping that they would establish a buffer zone against any encroachment by Burmese forces. This policy has changed in recent years as Thailand seeks to strengthen its economic and political ties with Rangoon. Despite more than a half century of armed conflict, the KNU has since 1995 made several efforts to open diplomatic lines of communication with Burma’s ruling junta to negotiate an equitable ceasefire agreement. In 2004, then deputy chairman Gen Bo Mya flew to Rangoon to hold peace talks with ex-prime minister Gen Khin Nyunt. The meeting—backed by some of Thailand’s top military and business leaders—produced a “gentleman’s agreement” to end hostilities in Karen State. Khin Nyunt’s subsequent ouster later in the year, however, ended any momentum towards an official ceasefire.

 

Moreover, the “gentleman’s agreement” proved less than gentlemanly. Though fighting did cease in the two or three months following the Rangoon meeting and ethnic forces enjoyed more freedom of movement in Karen-controlled regions, fighting soon resumed—as did the government’s consistent practice of conscripting local villagers for forced labor.

 

“We do not actively engage Burmese soldiers because of the peace talks,” said one of the soldiers of Battalion 101. “We try to keep away from them, but they always find us and attack.”

 

According to Saya Lay, the SPDC has slowly chipped away at Karen-controlled areas in recent months by increasing its presence and continuing to engage rebel forces.

 

“The ceasefire talks are a good way to work toward peace, but they [SPDC] must honor their agreements,” said another soldier of Battalion 101. “We are now losing more and more of our territory,” he added. “They are saying one thing and doing another.”

 

Despite increased aggression by government forces, Karen rebels have continued to avoid engaging them. “Our leaders have ordered us not to break our promise, even if they [SPDC] break theirs,” said Saya Lay, adding that this is not always possible when government troops launch a direct assault.

 

“For me, I don’t want to keep away when I see them,” said Saya Lay.