Peacetalk

The Karen National Union’s (KNU) delegation, led by its general secretary, Naw Zipporah Sein, leaves today from the Burma border town of Myawaddy for its second round of ‘peace talks’ with the Burma government. This is the second meeting between the KNU and President, U Thein Sein’s government after both sides reached a preliminary cease-fire agreement on January 12 talk…

In what many international observers say is a first, Karen politicians belonging to Burma’s mainstream political parties held a meeting to discuss the Karen National Union’s and the government’s ongoing peace talks. Members of the Kayin People’s Party, Karen State Democracy and Development Party, Plone-Swor Democratic Party, Kayin Democratic Party met with Karen party members from the National League for…

The Karen National Union leader, Padoh Mahn Nyein Maung, who was sentenced to life plus three years on March 13th, has arrived back to his organization, the Karen National Union. Padoh Mahn Nyein Maung was released under an amnesty issued by Burma’s president, U Thein Sein, on March 19th. Padoh Mahn Nyein Maung arrived in the Thai border town of…

The Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) agreed with the Burma government to open a liaison office for on-going peace talks after recently signing a state level ceasefire agreement. U Aung San Myint, the KNPP secretary 2, told Karen News. “We signed an agreement with the government for a ceasefire and to open a liaison office.” Ku Oo Rei, the KNPP…

The Karen National Union and the Burma government have agreed to meet in early April to formalize and finalize their preliminary ceasefire arrangement that was reached in a meeting on 12th January in the Karen State town of Pa-an. The KNU general secretary, Naw Zipporah Sein, told Karen News. “Both sides agreed to meet in early April to continue to…

Karen ethnic organizations, from both inside Burma and overseas, attended a conference organized by the Karen Worldwide alliance. The conference ran for four days, from 27th February to 1st March, and was held inside Karen State. Karen Worldwide say the conference was called in response to the current political situation in Burma. A media statement released by Karen Worldwide estimates…

Ms K’nyaw Paw an executive member of the Karen Women’s Organization and Presidium Board Member of Women’s League of Burma told Karen News that is crucial that women are an integral part of the on-going peace negotiations with the Burma government and the Karen National Union. “It is important that women are represented during the peace talks and that are…

The Karen National Union said they are unsure if they will be able to meet the 45-day time frame agreed to with the Burma government during the last ceasefire meeting. Naw Zipporah Sein, general secretary of the KNU spoke to Karen News. “We are not sure if we can meet with Burma government this [February] month. At the moment, we…

A Karen leader warns that the Burma government’s offers of ‘business opportunities’ to the various Karen and other ethnic armed factions in territory controlled by the Karen National Union will create conflict and fuel tension. A government newspaper, *Kyaymon*, reported that a breakaway group known as the KNU/KNLA Peace Council signed an initial seven-point agreement on 6thFebruary in the country’s…

The Karen National Union (KNU) chairman General Saw Tamlabaw used his Karen National Day speech to warn Karen people to be both cautious and united during the ‘peace talk’ that could resolve the 63-years civil war. “This is an important time for our Karen people. The government has said it is time want for building a lasting peace, but on…