KNU/KNLAPC to be given DKBA Trading Gate

Sources close to the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army have reported that Brigadier General Htain Maung's Karen beakaway faction, the KNU/KNLAPC, is to be given one of the trading gates currently operated by the DKBA's 907 Battalion.

There had been some speculation how the new breakway faction would be able to maintain itself after giving up the extremely lucrative area on the Thai-burma border which had seen a number of conflicts erupt between the KNLA's 7th Battalion and the DKBA's 999 Special Battalion primarily due to the logging trade.

The group's new location at Taw Koe Kho offers very little in the way of resources and how the two to three hundred people who have joined the new organisation were to maintain themselves was unclear. While the SPDC had given some support, including farming equipment, it was thought that some other incentive had had to be given for the veteren commander to split.

How the 907 Battalion commander, Moe Tho, feels about the new arrangement has yet to be reported however there have been rumoured clashes between DKBA 907 Battalion forces and SPDC troops in the area over the last few days.

KHCPS
26/02/07

Opposition holds strategic meeting

As opposition politicians and activists gather on the Thai-Burma border to revise their strategy in a three-day meeting that begins today, a number of Burma-watchers in Thailand have expressed their desire to see a unified opposition with a "realistic" program.
 
All veteran security officials agree that the opposition "doesn't have a Chinaman's chance" of presenting itself as a better alternative to the ruling military dictatorship, unless they resolve their differences and come up with a practical agenda for the regional community including China. "Nobody likes the (Burmese) junta much," said one. "But the opposition leaves us with no choice."

The main contention among the opposition appears to be between two groupings: National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB) and Ethnic Nationalities Council (ENC), led by Gen Tamalabaw and Padoh Ba Thin respectively. Both are from the Karen National Union (KNU).
 
The problem, according to one observer, is that while both are against the ruling military council and are for a democratic federated Burma, the NCUB is following a hard line: regime change or none, with the ENC pursuing a softer line: tripartite dialogue between the military, National League for Democracy (NLD) and the ethnic nationalities.

Other differences, they say, include:

The NCUB is calling for increased sanctions against military Burma and campaigning against China, Russia and all nations that befriend the military rulers. The ENC meanwhile has welcomed international humanitarian assistance and adopting a 'constructive engagement policy' towards the said countries.
 
"The longer the struggle is against each other," one elder official warns, "the longer the people of Burma suffer. I hope they won't forget that." 

The NUCB, whose members include NLD members, was formed in 1996, while the ENC, claiming to speak for all seven ethnic states, came into being in 2001. The former is backed by Maung Maung of Federation of Trade Unions of Burma (FTUB) and the latter by Harn Yawnghwe (left) of Euro Burma Office (EBO).

SHAN
25/02/07

More Karens join ‘Peace Council’ splinter group

More Karens have joined the new Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army Peace Council that recently “joined hands” with the Burmese regime.

The small group, led by Maj Yin Nu, the former quartermaster of the 7th Brigade and a close colleague of Maj Gen Htain Maung, numbers about 20 people, including three soldiers, according to an officer with the Karen National Liberation Army, who spoke to The Irrawaddy on Thursday. He said Maj Yin Nu was an early supporter of Htain Maung.
However, sources on the Thai-Burmese border, said Yin Nu’s group numbers about 70 people, including about 30 soldiers. The group has reportedly joined the KNU/KNLA Peace Council contingent that has made its headquarters at Toh Kaw Koe Village in Kawkareik Township, Karen State. Sources say there are others in the KNU who also support the peace council group.
According to a senior KNU officer, Htain Maung still lives in his home at KNU 7th Brigade headquarters near the Thai-Burmese border in Paan District.
Htain Maung was dismissed as commander of the KNU 7th Brigade after his splinter group reached a peace agreement on January 16 without KNU Central Committee approval. He and his supporters formed the KNU/KNLA Peace Council on January 31 and “joined hands” with Burmese military officers on February 11 during a ceremony in Toh Kaw Koe Village.

Shah Paung
Irrawaddy
22//02/69

Top Karen commanders pledge loyalty to leadership

Apparently to dispel all existing doubts about its internal unity, following a recent separate agreement between its 7th Brigade commander and the Burma Army, the Karen National Union has released a 3-page document signed by its top commanders in support of their political leadership last August and September.

The document, signed by 19 officers, "reiterate our full confidence in our current leadership, the EC (Executive Committee) and CC (Central Committee)"

Among the signatories were Saw Mutu, General Officer Commanding; all brigade commanders minus Saw Htein Maung, Commander of the 7th Brigade, who in January concluded a solitary deal with the Burma Army; and all 5 battalion commanders from the 7th Brigade.

"It was an initiative by some GHQ (General Headquarters) officers to effectively counter rumors circulating in the media about the impending split between the movement's political and military wings," explained Brig-Gen Saw Hsar Gay (left), who heads the Special Warfare Section. "The GOC himself put down his signature at a later stage in order not to try to influence his subordinate officers."

The Karen National Union (KNU) has steadfastly insisted that the junta deal with it directly and not with its individual units. Despite a gentleman's agreement reached in late 2003, the group has been facing a continued military offensive since last February.

Shan-EU
Sun Feb 11, 2007 1:29 pm (PST)

Htain Maung Faction Joins Legal Fold

Brigadier General Htain Maung's breakaway faction, the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army Peace Council, entered into an agreement with the Burmese Government yesterday (Karen National Day) at Hto Kaw Kho, Village, Kawkareik. The ceremony, held at the village symbolically associated with the death of the Karen martyr Saw Ba U Gyi, was also attended by the Head of the South Eastern military command.

The group, said to comprise between two hundred and three hundred followers, is comprised of, according to KNU sources, a number of the former KNLA commanders troops, family, members of the DKBA, and also villagers who have since joined the aging commander.

Although details regarding the agreement are sketchy it is believed the group are allowed to keeps their weapons and will be given defacto control over the area for development purposes, although what form these are likely to take is unclear.

Editor
Karen Heritage
12/02/07

Image: Brigadier General Htain Maung at 2004 Peace talks, Rangoon - KHCPS Archive

Breakaway Group Leaves KNU-controlled Area

The former commander of the breakaway 7th Brigade of the Karen National Union abandoned a KNU-controlled area along the Thai-Burmese border on Friday, according to reliable sources.
Maj-Gen Htain Maung, who formed a breakaway group called the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army Peace Council on January 31, returned with his family and followers to Toh Kaw Koe village, Kawkareik Township, Karen State.
The source could not give the number of people who accompanied Htain Maung.
Col Myat Htun Oo of Military Affairs Security in the Burmese military government welcomed Htain Maung and his group in Myawaddy, opposite Mae Sot in northern Thailand.
The group was then transported to the village in a motorcade of 14 cars, sources said, and the village will probably become the group's headquarters. It was not clear if more of Htain Maung's followers would arrive at a later date.
The general-secretary of the KNU, Mahn Sha, confirmed the return to Burma of the breakaway group.
Other sources said Burmese authorities may hold a formal celebration to welcome the group to Toh Kaw Koe village during the weekend.
On January 30, Htain Maung was dismissed as head of 7th Brigade by the KNU after organizing negotiations with the military government without approval of the KNU central committee.

Irrawaddy
09/02/07

Break-away Karen Soldiers Return to KNU Fold

A group of more than 60 soldiers from the Karen National Liberation Army’s 7th Brigade who joined a break-away faction of the Karen National Union led by Maj-Gen Htain Maung have returned to the fold, according to KNU General Secretary Mahn Sha. 
The general secretary said the group comprised largely low-ranking military commanders but also included Maj Yin Nu of 7th Brigade, a close colleague of Htain Maung and an early member of the splinter group.
Htain Maung was dismissed from the KNU’s central committee and as head of 7th Brigade in January 30 after organizing negotiations with Burma’s ruling State Peace and Development Council without permission of the central committee. In response, he formed a break-away faction known as the KNU/KNLA Peace Council.
The more than 60 soldiers—the exact numbers are not confirmed—have left Htain Maung and returned to the KNLA’s 7th Brigade, currently under the joint temporary command of Col Johnny and Lt-Col Tun Kyaing.
An official at KNLA headquarters told The Irrawaddy on Thursday that an additional group of soldiers loyal to Htain Maung—estimated at about 60—have gone to Toh Kaw Koe village in Kawkareik Township, Karen State, to establish headquarters for the splinter group.
Toh Kaw Koe has significant historical connections to ethnic Karen opposition forces as the site where Ba U Gyi, the father of the Karen resistance, was killed by Burmese troops on August 12, 1950.
The area is deep in SPDC-controlled territory in Karen State, and additional soldiers wanting to return to the KNU would find it difficult to do so, according to the KNLA official. Despite the risks, five soldiers are known to have returned from Toh Kaw Koe, and more are expected in the future.
Col Ner Dah Mya, son of the late Gen Bo Mya, is said to be the secretary-1 of Htain Maung’s Peace Council, but this has been disputed by his family.
Lar Poe, Ner Dah Mya’s mother, has denied any connection to the splinter group. “The fact that my name is listed as the vice chairperson [of the splinter group], and my children are included as members of this organization is an evil setup. I absolutely do not accept it.”
Ner Dah Mya has yet to publicly deny his involvement with Htain Maung and still retains his position as a tactical commander within the KNLA headquarters and commander of Battalion 201.
Mahn Sha confirmed that Ner Dah Mya has not been dismissed from the KNU but that he is under suspicion. “Because of his father’s influence, people [KNU leaders] sympathize with him,” Mahn Sha said. “But if he is involved with the growing conflict, nobody will accept him.”
According to sources along the Thai-Burmese border, security around the Mae La refugee camp, located opposite 7th Brigade across the border, has been tightened because of concerns that Htain Maung and the soldiers with him might join Burmese military units and attack the KNU.
The KNU break-away faction Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, formed in 1995, attacked Mae La camp in 1996 with support from the Burmese army.

Shah Paung
Irrawaddy
08/02/07

KNU promises not to harm defectors

Senior leaders of the Karen National Union said yesterday they would not physically attack members of a newly formed splinter group, despite speculation some members were planning to join forces with the Burmese military.
KNU general secretary Padoh Mahn Shar told DVB yesterday the organisation’s armed wing, the Karen National Liberation Army, had already been ordered not to harm former seventh brigade leader Saw Htay Maung or his followers.
Saw Htay Maung released a statement under the name Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army Peace Council on January 31, formally rejecting the KNU’s central working committee and announcing the formation of a new splinter group.
“He’s still in our territory but as he has worked for our revolution for some time, we’d still give him a free chance to join with the military. We won’t harm him,” Padoh Mahn Shar said.
The news of Saw Htay Maung’s decision to break away from the KNU came just days after he was sacked by the group over his trip to Rangoon for peace talks with the Burmese military without the permission of the KNU’s central committee.
“Karen people are disgusted by such an act—bowing before the enemy. He has some people with him now. But those are our people and we don't know when he's going to leave them,” Padoh Mahn Shar said.
Saw Htay Maung’s January 31 statement also listed 18 people designated take over the existing KNU central committee, including Saw Htay Maung, the wife of the late KNU leader general Bo Mya, Naw Mu Lar Poe, and two of his sons.
But Naw Mu Lar Poe, who is also head of the Karen Women’s Organization said yesterday she wanted nothing to do with the splinter group.
“Appointing me as a vice-chairperson in the mentioned organisation, and the listing of my children's name as well, is an act of injustice and set up,” Naw Mu Lar Poe said in a statement.
Six other people originally listed as new KNU leaders by Saw Htay Maung have denied involvement with the former fighter, according to a new statement released by the splinter group.

DVB
06/02/07
Image: Padoh Mahn Sha-KHCPS Archive

Karen Journalists Face Threats, Intimidation over KNU Crisis Reports

Media groups based along the Thai-Burmese border claim that threats against them have hindered their ability to cover news about conflicts among leaders of the Karen National Union.
Reporters with the Mae Sot-based Karen Information Center and an international broadcaster with the BBC Burmese Service say they have received threats after publishing news reports on the growing strife within the ethnic political opposition group.
One international BBC broadcaster who requested anonymity said that Pastor Timothy, the leader of a break-away faction of the KNU conducting talks with the Burmese junta, threatened his life over the telephone after a news report in June 2005. The BBC has since filed its coverage of the Burmese border from London instead of from local staffers.
A reporter with the KIC, who wished to remain unnamed for security reasons, said that the group’s office in Mae Sot received threatening letters following its coverage of the KNU in recent months.
According to the reporter, the group has received two threats since August of last year after the KIC published a letter that criticized KNU leaders such as Col Ner Dah Mya, the son of the late Gen Bo Mya, Pastor Timothy and others.
The threats were conveyed first through a letter left at a shop near the KIC office and later in person by an unknown individual. The reporter declined to provide details of the person’s identity.
The KIC was accused by anonymous individuals of encouraging disunity within the KNU and threatened that, as they were soldiers, they could easily shoot the reporters.
“We know that we always have to be careful about our reporting of the news (about the KNU conflicts) and have to be careful when we go out, as we don’t know when or where we could face problems,” the reporter said.
Who is responsible for the threats and the extent of intimidation of local journalists remains unconfirmed, but some speculate that the threats may have come from within KNU, its military wing, the Karen National Liberation Army, or a new break-away faction called the KNU/KNLA Peace Council.
Sources in Bangkok and Mae Sot say that reporters in the area are now handling recent news about the KNU cautiously. They cite the absence of stories on the BBC and the Democratic Voice of Burma about Bo Mya’s wife denying the KNU vice chairperson a role on the newly created break-away Peace Council as an indication of how the threats have led to self-censorship among border-based media groups.

Shah Paung
Irrawaddy
06/02/07

 KNU splinter group delegation to identify peace area

The splinter group of the Karen National Union led by Brig-Gen Htain Maung which was negotiating a ceasefire agreement with the Burmese military junta has sent a delegation to identify a new area of peace to implement developmental plans.  

The newly formed KNU splinter group called Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army Peace Council on February 1 sent a delegation led by tactical commander Maj. Tatmadaw to earmark a 'peace area' which is Hto Kaw Koe village tract where the former KNU leader Saw Bo Mya died. The study trip is to initiate development plans in the area, according to KNU sources.

"It's true that a delegation of 32 representatives were sent to Hto Kaw Koe area in Kaw Ka Reik Township four or five days ago. They'll make this area their base," said Padoh Mahn Sha, general secretary of KNU.

Brig-Gen Htain Maung, former commander of Brigade 7 of the KNU, and his group are currently in their headquarters in Tug Moy Nee near Thaung Yin River.

Regiment Commander Maj Dar Toe of Regiment 21 of the 7th Brigade, which remains under the control of the KNU, confirmed that Brig-Gen Htain Maung sent the delegation to the area for pursuing development plans.

The Burmese junta and some members of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army went along with the delegation led by Maj Tatmadaw to study the 'peace area', said Maj Dar Toe.

Padoh Mahn Sha said the KUN splinter group is being recognized by the Burmese junta as an 'exchange arms for peace' group during the observation trip.

"We've heard that the group [Htain Maung's group] was recognized by the junta as a disarmed group. We've been informed that they are still armed, but are being called the 'exchange arms for peace' group," said Mahn Sha.

Mahn Sha added that the development projects Htain Maung and the junta will carry out will not benefit the people but themselves.

Htain Maung was dismissed from his post as commander of Brigade 7 on January 30 by the KNU Central Committee after he initiated talks for a ceasefire agreement with the Burmese military junta without the consent of the central committee on January 3.

Htain Maung and his group on January 31 formed KNU/KNLAPC with 18 members. He was named the chairman of the new group.

Naw Lar Poe, wife of late Gen Bo Mya, was named vice chairperson while her younger son Col Ner Dah Mya is secretary-1 of the group. Her older son Col Saw Nay Kaw Mya, regiment commander of Regiment 202, was also listed as a member of the group.

However, Lar Poe who is the chairperson of Karen Women's Organization rejected her role in the KNU/KNLAPC and pointed out that the enlistment of her and her sons' names was only an attempt to divide her family and the KNU which is her mother organization.

NMG
05/02/07

Image: Brig. Gen. Htain Maung - KHCPS Archive

 Bo Mya’s wife rejects role in Karen splinter group

The wife of the late Karen leader, Gen Bo Mya, has rejected a role in a new KNU splinter group led by Maj-Gen Htain Maung, commander of the 7th Brigade.

The new splinter group released a list of 18 members appointed to the Karen National Union/ Karen National Libration Army Peace Council on January 31. Htain Maung was named chairman of the new splinter group.
Lar Poe, the general’s wife, was named group vice chairperson. The general’s son, Col Ner Dah Mya, was named secretary-1, while another son, Col Nay Kaw Mya, was named a member of the group.
Lar Poe said she was unaware of the KNU/KNLA Peace Council group.
“The fact that my name is put in the position of vice chairperson, and my children are included as members of this organization is an evil set up.” Lar Poe said. “I absolutely do not accept it.”
“I would like to declare that I will steadfastly follow the policies laid down by the 13th Congress of the KNU,” she said.
Lar Poe said she will continue to perform her KNU Central Committee duties, in addition to serving as president of the Karen Women’s Organization. She said the KNU is the “mother organization” of the Karen People, and she cannot accept acts that divide it or are tantamount to “surrender” to the enemy [the Burmese junta].
Ner Dah Mya and Nay Kaw Mya could not be reached for comment.
The KNU headquarters dismissed Htain Maung on January 30, charging him with negligence and failure to follow KNU policies. Htain Maung earlier this year concluded a separate “peace” with the Burmese government, after breaking away from KNU control.
Meanwhile, celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the Karen revolution concluded on the Thai-Burma border on Monday.
In a statement, KNU chairman, Ba Thin Sein, said, “In the 60 years of life of the KNU, we have seen many traitors to the nation and the revolution. At the same time, there have been many thousands of revolutionary heroes.”
The new splinter group was also “condemned” by 67 representatives from 24 Karen organizations that attended a four-day Karen Unity Seminar that ended Sunday. It was held in a KNU control area.

Shah Paung
Irrawaddy
05/02/07