Myanmar develops regions

Myanmar develops regions

Regarding The Jakarta Post's Jan. 28, 1995 report on Yangon Army seizes rebel base I would like to give the following clarification.

In a sincere spirit of National reconciliation and peace the Myanmar government announced a unilateral cessation of all offensive military operations against the various insurgent groups in April 1992. Thirteen groups, out of 15, are now peacefully working together with the government in developing their backward regions.

The number of Karen National Union (KNU) rank and file (mainly Buddhists) which broke away from their hard-line, extremist leadership was over 3,000 armed personnel, and not 400 as reported by the media. Fed up with the futile life of hardship and sacrifice, deeply wishing for peace and reconciliation, and not trusting their leadership, they actually established the Democratic Karen Buddhist Organization (DKBO) in April 1994.

Learning of KNU Bo Mya's plans to exterminate them, the DKBO recently launched a blitz attack and took over Manerpalaw. It is obvious that only those within that defense perimeter would be able to launch such a rapid and successful attack. No government troops were involved in that attack. Only logistic support was given to the DKBO. Bo Mya and his small desperate group are now in a Thai village three kilometers east of the border. None of them are in a position to remain in Myanmar.

The so-called remaining KNU base at Kawmoora is one-square mile of jungle area. The Moei river there loops around it in an "Omega" shape so that it borders Thai territory on the North, South and East, with a frontage of 150 yards on the Myanmar side.

If not for the insidious support they have been receiving from some well-financed non-governmental groups, the KNU would have vanished from the Myanmar scene a long time ago: because even 99 percent of the Karens do not support them.

SOE LYNN HAN

Press Officer

Myanmar Embassy, Jakarta