The Karen National
Union (KNU) delegation has taken its peacemaking work to Rangoon, where it will
meet with government officials before meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi on Sunday.
Working to achieve ethnic peace has been cited as a top goal of Suu
Kyi. The KNU delegation, led by General-Secretary Naw Zipporah Sein, began its
second round of talks with the government on Wednesday in Pa-An, and has now
moved the talks to Naypyitaw. A cease-fire was signed on January 12, ending a
63-year-old armed struggle against the government.
Regarding the peacemaking process, President Thein Sein has outlined
three steps to peacemaking: to achieve regional or state-level cease-fires, to
set up political parties and to take ethnic political issues to be discussed in
Parliament.
KNU peacemakig details left for further discussion at the Union level
include opening liaison offices in designated cities; closer communication
designed to prevent armed clashes, coordinating how government funds and
programs will be implemented in the state, and establishing a process for aid
to be directed to Karen refugees.
The Karen civil war, which has gone on for more than six decades, has
been one of the bitterest rebellions in the country’s history, causing
generations of Karen to flee to the jungle in fear of the lives. More than
100,000 Karen now live in refugee camps on the Thai-Burmese border, and tens of
thousands have moved to third countries through the help of international
resettlement programs.
During the cease-fire talks, KNU delegation member Brigadier General
Johnny told AFP, “This time they didn't ask us to give up our arms, and they
said they just want to work for equal rights for ethnic groups.”
But he added: “We have been fighting for 60 years and one meeting alone
will not end it.” The KNU has signed six cease-fire agreements in the past with
the government, all of which have been broken.
One of results of the cease-fire and peace talks is an easing of
tension in an area controlled by the KNU bordering on the Dawei deep-sea port
special industrial zone project in southern Burma. The KNU had blocked
construction on a road in the area that would link the mega-project to
Thailand, which will receive oil and gas from the project, which is estimated
to cost $50 billion when it is completed. The project will link the Andaman Sea
to Southeast Asia, greatly reducing the cost of energy shipments.
The cease-fire agreement may eventually lead to meeting the
humanitarian needs of Karen refugees, which has been a point of concern by
international governments who want to be given unfettered access to the area.
A cease-fire agreement has already been reached with the Shan State
Army (South) in eastern Burma, but peace talks with the Kachin Independence
Army (KIA) have proven to be one of the most difficult, despite an order last
month by President Thein Sein for the military to end all offensive operations.
Clashes are still taking place, according to the KIA.
Ko Pauk
mizzima.com
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