KNU groups discuss peace process

The Karen National Union and the Pa’an Town-based Karen Peace Committee met on the Thai Burma border in early December to discuss recent ceasefire discussions held between the KNU and government officials.

KNU representatives, led by general secretary Naw Zipporah Sein, met with three KPC members for more than three hours.

KNU Forestry Minister, Padoh Saw Ah Toe said the KNU explained to the KPC details of their recent ‘Peace Talks’ with the Burma government representatives. Padoh Saw Ah Toe said that in return, the KPC offered to help as a mediator in any future ‘Peace Talks’.

“We explained to the KPC step-by step about the peace and ceasefire development talks we had with the Burma government officials. We need to gauge their position on any peace talks.”

The KNU have held preliminary ‘Peace Talks’ with the Burma government representatives in the border town of Mae Sai, Chiang Rai Province in northern Thailand in November. Karen observers say the talks produced some common grounds and agreements such as establishing liaison officers from both sides, agreements about the carrying of weapons on territory controlled by the respective sides, and to set up a venue to hold major peace talks with members of the ethnic alliance.

The KNU gave a message to the KPC to take back to civilians inside Karen State that the KNU will only accept a lasting peace that benefits all of Karen society and is built around real political dialogue and solutions.

Padoh Saw Ah Toe said.
“We do plan to meet with the Burma government, but not before we meet our KNU members to make a specific agenda – then we will reply to the Burma government for further talks.”

According to KNU sources, both the KNU and the KPC both feel that their initial meeting went well. The KNU also held similar talks with the Yangon-based Karen Development Committee lead by Dr. Sai Montha.