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The Karen National Union (KNU) are to ask the Burma Government to clarify the role of business groups involved as advisors in the ‘peace talk’ negotiations. The KNU has questioned the motives of the business advisors involvement in the ceasefire talks after concerned Karen people raised questions about the potential of a conflict of interest. Karen observers said some of…

Humanitarian groups say displaced refugees living in temporary camps in Kachin State are in desperate need for better shelter as the monsoon season nears. Fighting between the Burma Army and the Kachin Independent Army continues forcing more villagers into camps and increasing demands on the limited resources available. Moon Nay Li, a coordinator with the Kachin Women’s Association explained that…

The Karen National Union says human rights violations and military related issues will be discussed with the Burma government in the next round of ‘peace talks’ planned for later this month. It was statement by some of the KNU’s Peace Negotiation Team members who were held a discussion and press conference with some NGOs and media at Bangkok about update…

The Italian-Thai Development Company told Karen National Union leaders in a meeting on Saturday that, despite rumors to the contrary, ITD are not withdrawing from its plans to construct the Dawei deep-sea port and Dawei (Tavoy) Special Economic Zone. Padoh Saw Thu Yeh, an executive member of the KNU’s Mergui-Tavoy District, explained to Karen News that he had met ITD…

Villagers in the Three Pagoda Pass area say government immigration officials issuing identity cards to residents from villages from around the Karen State border town in record time. Residents say township immigration officials are providing ID cards and household registrations to all civilians, both urban and rural, who apply for the documentation. Individuals and families are turning up in droves…

Democratic Karen Buddhist Army leader, held a press conference for Thai and Burmese journalists on May 1 to hit back at accusations made by Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister, Chalerm Yubumrung, that he is a major drug dealer. The Thai deputy prime minister made the claims on Thai television on April 20. An annoyed Brigadier General Saw Ler Pwe claims he…

Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy elected Members of Parliament took their seats in parliament following a week’s delay due to dispute over the parliamentary admission oath in the constitution. U Nyan Win spoke person for NLD said that their turnaround decision to take the oath and join the parliament is based on two reasons. Speaking…

Nai Yekkha and Nai Myo Twe from New Mon State Party who were serving life sentences in Burma’s notorious jails were released on April 30. Burma government representatives, Union Minister for Electric Power, U Zaw Min, and the Mon State Prime Minister handed the two prominent political prisoners to Nai Htaw Mon, the chairman of the NMSP in Moulmein Town.…

The Burma government has ordered checkpoints staffed by soldiers from the Burma Army and rogue elements from the Karen National Liberation Army to be closed down. Villagers in the area told Karen News that the checkpoints at Bawti, Iwai, Wartaw and Sin Phyu Tai were extorting ‘taxes’ from travelers in Myitta Sub Township, Tavoy, in the Tenasserim Division Sin Phyu…

Political reforms under President Thein Sein’s military-backed government threaten to be overshadowed by a major conflict in the country’s northernmost state. Post Views: 625