KNU Leader Warns Fellow Karen of ‘Dangers’ of Political Negotiations
KNU Leader Warns Fellow Karen of ‘Dangers’ of Political Negotiations
The Irrawaddy, 31 Jan 2018
URL: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/knu-leader-warns-fellow-karen-dangers-political-negotiations.html
CHIANG MAI, Thailand – Karen National Union (KNU) chairman General Saw Mutu Say Poe warned his ethnic compatriots to be careful when participating in political negotiations, saying dialogue was not only more effective but also more dangerous than armed conflict.
The Karen leader made the comments in a written statement distributed to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the Karen National Revolutionary Resistance.
He reminded his community that the resistance movement emerged in 1949 after the Karen people and their political activities “were oppressed and violated by force of arms” under the AFPFL (Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League). He recalled that the Karen leaders’ efforts at peaceful political struggle were not recognized and destroyed by repressive means. Thus, he said, the resistance had been necessary in order for the Karen people “to thrive as a nationality like the others, with equality and freedom and equal development.”
“All the Karen people indeed must remember, respect and honor the anniversary of the Karen National Revolutionary Resistance like this always in the annals of history of the Karen people,” the KNU chairman’s statement reads.
The KNU remains committed to the resolution of political problems by political means, and negotiating under the NCA “is the most appropriate way” to reach the goal of building a democratic federal union, Padoh Saw Tadoh Moo told The Irrawaddy.
Public consultations prior to the next session of the 21st-Century Panglong conference have yet to be officially conducted in Karen areas, however, after the Tatmadaw blocked similar consultations prior to the Shan national dialogue.
The Karen leader made the comments in a written statement distributed to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the Karen National Revolutionary Resistance.
He reminded his community that the resistance movement emerged in 1949 after the Karen people and their political activities “were oppressed and violated by force of arms” under the AFPFL (Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League). He recalled that the Karen leaders’ efforts at peaceful political struggle were not recognized and destroyed by repressive means. Thus, he said, the resistance had been necessary in order for the Karen people “to thrive as a nationality like the others, with equality and freedom and equal development.”
“All the Karen people indeed must remember, respect and honor the anniversary of the Karen National Revolutionary Resistance like this always in the annals of history of the Karen people,” the KNU chairman’s statement reads.
The KNU remains committed to the resolution of political problems by political means, and negotiating under the NCA “is the most appropriate way” to reach the goal of building a democratic federal union, Padoh Saw Tadoh Moo told The Irrawaddy.
Public consultations prior to the next session of the 21st-Century Panglong conference have yet to be officially conducted in Karen areas, however, after the Tatmadaw blocked similar consultations prior to the Shan national dialogue.