Burmese Language
Karen rebels, govt agree ceasefire
Following intensive negotiations in the Karen state capital of Hpa-an yesterday, the opposition Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and the Burmese government have agreed to a ceasefire that will see both sides lay down arms on the eve of the anniversary of their conflict.
The head of the DKBA, Na Kham Mwe, told DVB last night that the truce would be rolled out among forces across Karen state on 6 November, but that fighting would cease in some areas beginning 5 November.
The government will reportedly begin to withdraw troops from DKBA territory tomorrow. Na Kham Mwe said some had already been pulled out of the Kawkareit region.
Prior negotiations between the government and the DKBA had failed to end in agreement. Few details of yesterday’s talk have not been revealed, nor the conditions attached to the ceasefire.
The DKBA’s Major San Aung said only that the two sides had agreed to set up a liaison office in the border town of Myawaddy, and “to pass through one another’s territory whilst carrying arms, providing there is prior permission”.
The two sides have been embroiled in a bitter conflict since DKBA troops attacked government positions in Myawaddy on 7 November last year, the day of Burma’s first elections in 20 years.
Na Kham Mwe’s troops defected from the pro-government faction of the DKBA in August last year after he refused to transform into a Naypyidaw-controlled Border Guard Force. Similar refusals among other ethnic armies in Burma have sparked widespread fighting this year.
The government held talks with the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) last month, but they quickly broke down. Shortly after its defection, DKBA troops began fighting alongside the KNLA, whose 60-year war with the Burmese government is thought to be the world’s longest-running.
The DKBA was formed in the mid-1990s after a faction split off from the KNLA and sided with the government. The remaining DKBA troops who did not defect with Na Kham Mwe last year are now part of the Naypyidaw-controlled Border Guard Force.
Tags: burma, democratic karen buddhist army, Karen, myanmar
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When are we Karens going to learn? These bamar are trying to divide you all. Look at history.
Never trust a bamar.
I don’t agree this casefire because this is not too long they have aggrieved even those I yhink they should not easy forget it.If they doing like that they should do negotiation with KNU or Karen peoples in oversea or inside Karen people because this problem not only dkba so this struggle is belong for all Karen peoples and this is the dkba sinfulness because they are no significative for believing for the future.I want to tell they ever the life the enemies never sincerity on for Karen people also never on dkba.I’m Karen people I know well that If you don’t believe me you can waiting and one day dkba must w’ll be the same in 2010 so daba w’ll remember return to monther lind in to KNU again but I don’t like doing cease fire to enemy I want to they trying complied for Karen people the same with KNU. Never believe it even it is enemy not friends your friends is Ethnic.
I am not bamar but the way you are saying is wrong, saw winston. You should’ve said burmese government not “bamar”. You are rather narrow minded fool i must say.
Listen to what Saw Hla Bwal of DKBA said on his video message. He needs to justify his decision to make ceasefire this time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OBoBl9iHjE
DKBA made the ceasefire with Burmese troops are not for their own benefit. Since last year Nov 8 2010, DKBA agiant the Burma Election, fighting along DKBA area ( some area in Karen State) never stop. Because of the fight, villagers, women and children are civil war’s victim.The ceasefire has been request from the victim. SLB has justify his decision what he made. KNU/KNLA has made ceasefire with SPDC and do the business with their father Burmese troops along the border. KNU has lied to our Karen people for protecting and helping our Karen people. They keep their own power and teritory for their own benefit. They use the Karen innocent army in the frontline just to protect their business with Burmese troops. Not to fight for a real Karen freedom. If KNU really work for our Karen people. Have they ever officially welcome the breakaway groups? Have they try to make peace amoung Karen people inside Burma, along the Thai Border and worldwide? Have they take the opinion from the civilian? Have they real make democracy election to elect the new leader of KNU? Have they accept analysis and criticizing what they have done? No curroption, no prejudice, equal and fare judgment on civilian, clear leadership role and clear goal for Karen to trust and follow? I want all Karen poeple to ask their own self, what is the role of KNU leadership for our Karen poeple? What they can do our Karen people? Wake up Karen people, if we all want your won freedom, we better think globle and act local. Stop bliming each other and think about the reality for our Karen people have to face now.
The DKBA have reached a ceasefire now so will DKBA ask Thein Sein government the following steps:
1). Thein Sein government to announce NATIONWIDE CEASEFIRE for a permanent peace in Burma.
2). Stop offensive, operations and gradual withdrawal of troops from the front lines in the ethnic States.
3). Amend 2008 constitution and include a joint proposal submitted by the ceasefire groups.
4). Allow to open liaison offices and ease restrictions in Thein Sein government controlled areas.
4). Reform/restructure Burmar race dominate Tatmadaw to Federal Union Tatmadaw structure, composed of Burmar, Karen, Kachin, Chin, Mon, Shan and other ethnic battalions. The Defence Chief of Staff position must be in rotation by the ethnic generals every 3-4 years term.
5). Legislate equal rights (regardless of your ethnic origin, race, cultural, religion) policy base laws.
Saw winston!!! Before u make any comment about the Burmese, do the kayin people like eachother? Let’s say, kayin buddhist and kayin christian. Next time if you want to say something, you should not forget to add “burmese government” not bamar.
@ ty
“Burmese government” and “bamar” are synonymous. And how many bamar people like each other anyway.You should look closely before you say we karens do not like each other and jump to conclusions.