MYANMAR NEWS RELEASE Vol.9 No.12 (r)

[OKKAR66127@xxxxxxx]

                            MYANMAR  NEWS  RELEASE

Vol .9                          June  18,  1997
                               No.12

THE  VIEW  FROM THE EMBASSY OF MYANMAR  IN  OTTAWA

	It is regrettable to learn that the KNU statement (Response from the KNU and
KNU News, Information and Research dated 10 June, 1997) is indicative of
their present leaders still nurturing and rekindling the old flames of
animosities among the national brethren of Myanmar.   Also it is simply
anachronistic and grossly outdated to continue to defend the divisive
legacies of colonialism in Asia.   They must realize that those who do this
may only do so at their own peril.   Because even the ten linguistically and
colonially divided countries of South East Asia have matured and developed
into a united regional organization, where the spirit of Amity and
Cooperation among each other is central to their philosophy.   The newly
reorganized ?ASEAN 10? may be viewed as the final victory over the divisive
and diverse legacies of the colonial past.   

	It is time for the only remaining insurgency of Myanmar to see the light in
the same context before it is too late.   Before long the last of the foot
soldiers that have been trickling back either in bands or as individuals to
exchange-arms-for-peace will finally leave the inflexible and grudge-bearing
KNU leadership in isolation as the band wagon of peace in South East Asia
rolls on.   As much as dwelling in the past may be unrealistic, remaining
oblivious of the present progress towards peaceful reunion is an equally
hazardous attitude to maintain.

	It is absolutely true that the former insurgencies such as the Kachin, the
Wa and  the Kokan insurgencies did not have to surrender.   But neither were
they simple ?cease-fires?.  The uniqueness of the present day peace-process
centers on good-will, trust, amity and cooperation which are the very
foundations of both the national and international policies of the Government
of the Union of Myanmar.    Hence its relevance to ASEAN as well.

	After all ?blood is thicker than water?.  Almost every Myanmar national
nowadays can proudly claim to have a drop or more of blood from one another
which strongly suggests how far they have come towards complete admixture and
assimilation among themselves.   To imagine oneself of being foreign in
origin and bearing allegiance to a far away past-colonial-master is a
dangerous delusion.   One should not forget that this was entirely a family
affair and should never look for solutions outside of the Union.

	Time is now to forgive and forget.
	Time is now to avoid confusion and despair.
	Time is now to reunite and rejoin the family.

	If the ten countries of ASEAN with different political ideologies and
religious beliefs can get together as ?the regional grouping? why can?t the
nationalities of the Union of Myanmar get back together as a Union?   After
all  Kayins are Myanmars too.

	Just as the ?ASEAN? was the dream of the original founders of the ASEAN
movement, the ?Union of Myanmar? was the dream of the country?s independence
fighters led by General Aung San.  We must not waver now but strive to
celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the hard-earned Independence together,  with
or without those self-interest groups abroad who may not view the ?Union? in
favourable light ? simply because it is not in their interest.

	Recently, It has been confirmed that on May 31, 1997, 150 men of the ?Beik
Mon army? led by battalion commander Aung Thaik Hin handed over 470 assorted
arms to the local government authorities in Beik (formerly Mergui) within
Myanmar territory in a gesture of ?Trading-Arms-For-Peace?.

	They also brought in with them 90 family members as well as the news that
the remaining 150 men-in-arms and 700 family members stationed across the
border are expected to follow suit in the near future

	The Beik Mon Army is a breakaway group from the main stream New Mon State
Party (NMSP) led by chairman U Naing Shwe Kyin, who returned to the legal
fold on June 29, 1995.

	This is another highly favourable development in an unstoppable series of
spontaneous gestures in response to the government?s offer of the ?olive
branch? to all insurgent groups fighting a succession of central governments
since the country?s? independence from Britain in 1948.

	The level of peace restored in the Union of Myanmar has been unprecedented
and above all have been achieved without the intervention or mediation of any
foreign party.   Although there are some small breakaway groups from a few
former movements, 15 mainstream insurgencies have returned to peacefully
settle down and help develop their states and regions.

	Now it a heartening sign that these breakaway groups have begun to return as
well.

	Paradoxically, in the case of the KNU (Karen National Union), while
breakaway groups have been tracking back in similar gestures, their
mainstream leadership still remains stubbornly belligerent. The overwhelming
patriotic Kayin majority within the Union will find it hard to understand
 why?

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