KNU Head for Peace Table
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INTERVIEW

KNU Head for Peace Table


By THE IRRAWADDY Wednesday, November 16, 2011


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Second of all, I don’t see the DKBA as one monolithic bloc as it is not politically driven but rather driven by survival, trade and business. Therefore the attitudes of the different groups which control different areas are politically different. DKBA´s Brigade 5 under Brig-Gen Saw Lah Pwe has signed a ceasefire with the Burmese government, but it is based on tactical necessity and not of political conviction.

I believe we must not forget that he refused to be incorporated into the BGF [border guard force] in the first place and started fighting the Burmese army contrary to Maung Chit Htoo. So of course our relationship varies group to group and is determined often by location and even personal relationships. But this does not mean it is always institutional.

Q:The KNU has been fighting against the Burmese government for more than six decades. What the KNU want from the government? ... separatism or a federal state or anything else? And why?

A:We have made it clear that we want to exercise the right of self-determination and create a genuine Federal Union where all ethnic nationalities will enjoy equal rights. This is to be achieved through meaningful dialogue between all the stakeholders. And it is important that people understand that it is a process of voluntary association where the periphery gives some powers to the centre and not the other way around as it would be in the case of autonomy.

Through the right of self-determination we want to establish a genuine Federal Union without the unitary pyi ma concept of a Burman Mother State as was embodied in the 1947 constitution.



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Ohn Wrote:
24/11/2011
These are less of "peace deal" than business transaction. But KNU has been steadfast champions of the people for more than half a century.

Here is the deal. Bring back all the displaced people who against their will has to slave away in the foreign lands suffering all forms of abuse by the foreigners because their own countrymen were more cruel and more suppressing.

Bring them back to peace, work and dignity.

That's the real remit. Not fancy titles and more slavery in different name and different masters.

Kyaw Wrote:
20/11/2011
Do not hurry for talks, Wait for a while. You should help in finishing jobs of the KIA to occupy Naypyidaw. Apparently, the Government troops can not confront KIA with very heavy lost in all fronts, soon, KIA will arrive to Naypyidaw.

Norman Hla Wrote:
18/11/2011
Karen did not sign Panglong agreement but Karen just demands Federal Union, not separation without Bama dominanization(equal right). It is fair enough in the respect of ethical and moral characters in Karen. If bama army (than shwe) does not agree those right , Karen can itself to be union with neighbor Thailand or rich China to avoid than shwe's bully.Then, Delta Karen can move to live in KNU headquarter villages near Thailand border for having full protection and they can sell their lands to Bama military or Singapore or China or India or Russia in Delta region with tender system. Forget about Than shwe bama anytime by Karen as it is Karen's own right for their ancient land and their culture. Karen has a right to join or be union with anybody or any country Karen likes. There are no more killing fields enjoyed by than shwe military regime.There is no integration (union) and disintegration of Burma for Karen or all ethnics after death of General Aung san. Karen does not need to miss bama.

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