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Karennis Say Surrender on 23 July a



Subject: Karennis Say Surrender on 23 July a Staged One: 

7 August 1999 

Karennis Say Surrender on 23 July a Staged One

The Karenni resistance said on Friday that the surrender in Loikaw on 23 July
as publicized by the military junta was a political ploy. 

The statement issued by the Karenni National Progressive Party accused the
State Peace and Development Council of "trying to make a bag out of a pinch". 

The New Light of Myanmar reported on 24 July of "a ceremony to mark
exchange of
arms for peace" held in Loikow, the capital of "Kayah State", and presided by
General Khin Nyunt in his capacity as Chairman of Work Committee or
Development
of Border Areas and National Races. A total 113 members of "Kayinni National
Development Party of Hoya Region" led by "Commander U Goeri" was reported to
have" returned to the legal fold". 

The Karenni statement held that the said members were mostly civilians who
fled
into Thailand years ago. They wanted to return to their home villages and
persuaded some of the fighters from the Karenni Army to escort them, and to be
safe from the junta's prosecution, they decided to masquerade themselves as
members of the resistance and negotiated for surrender, according to the
statement. 

Saw Doh Say, Deputy-Director of the Karenni Foreign Office, told S.H.A.N. only
two of the fighters went along with the people who returned home. 

The Karenni have been fighting for independence since 1948, the year the
British left Burma. 

S.H.A.N.


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NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: PEACE BECOMES MORE RADIANT IN KAYAH STAT

24 July, 1999 

Secretary-1 sounds-warning of dangers to peace 
NLD still pursuing confrontation for utter devastation 
Attempting to divide Tatmadaw to get power by short cut 
Trying to divide national race organizations to break national solidarity 
State shall always strive for everlasting national solidarity

YANGON, 23 July - A ceremony to mark exchange of arms for peace by the 
members led by Commander U Goeri of Kayinni National Development Party of 
Hoya Region was held at City Hall in Loikaw, Kayah [Karenni] State, this 
morning, with an address by Chairman of Work Committee for Development of 
Border Areas and National Races Secretary-1 of the State Peace and 
Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

At 7.15 am, Hoya Region Commander of Kayinni National Development Party 
took positions in Kandara-wady sports ground in Loikaw for attending the 
ceremony to exchange arms for peace.

Then, Hoya Region Commander U Goeri and members of Kayinni National 
Development Party marched from the sports ground to the City Hall of 
Loikaw. They were accorded a rousing welcome by service personnel, nurses, 
teachers and students, USDA members, Red Cross and Fire Brigade members, 
MCWA members, members of Kayah State Committee for Women's Affairs, members 
of traditional cultural troupe and local people along the route.

Hoya Region Commander U Goeri and members of Kayinni National Development 
Party took the places in the City Hall at 8 am. The Secretary-1 delivered 
an address.

In his concluding address, the Secretary-1 heartily welcomed the Kayaw 
national race group led by U Goeri which returned to the legal fold, saying 
the State will discharge the duty of ensuring firm and secure life for them 
and will enable them to live peacefully in the warm embrace of the 
government. He urged the people to render assistance for the remaining 
armed groups in Kayah State to return to the legal fold. He thanked the 
peace negotiators and urged all to strive for Myanmar to become modern and 
developed soonest. Commander Brig-Gen Myint Thein then gave a speech.
Brig-Gen Myint Thein said he warmly welcomed the 113 members of Kayinni 
National Development Party led by U Goeri who had exchanged arms for peace 
inviting the remnants of the armed group to follow suit if they have real 
wish to serve the well-being of the regional people.

U Goeri made a speech. He gave a vote of thanks. He said that they had been 
engaged in the armed insurrection for development of their national race 
group and that though time passed, they had not done much for their own 
people except serving the interest of just a small group of people.

Though they had made peace, they became deviated from the course due to 
various intra-party problems, he said and added that they heard that other 
groups, after having made peace, now carry out development project for 
their regions.

He said that due to the results of peace in other regions and encouragement 
by local people and peace negotiators, they decided to return to the legal 
fold.

Fully trusting the State leaders, they have exchanged arms for peace 
leaving their family members in danger, he said and made an ardent request 
for resettlement of their families and implementation of projects for 
development of their region.

He stated that due to difficult access and lack of preparations, there were 
only 113 members and expressed belief that there would be more coming in 
future.

He expressed hope that as their region would develop the rest would follow 
their example, and expressed thanks to the state leaders for giving them a 
hearty warm welcome and made a solemn promise that they would strive their 
utmost joining hands with the government for regional development and 
security.

U Goeri presented arms and his men to Brig-Gen Myint Thein. Brig-Gen Myint 
Thein presented gifts to U Goeri. Secretary-l, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt cordially 
met with U Goeri and peace negotiators.

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