Kachin, Junta Deadlock in Guard Force Talks

Talks between the Burmese junta and the Kachin Impendence Organization (KIO), an ethnic cease-fire group, are in a standoff, according to Kachin sources.

The Burmese junta’s northern regional commander, Maj-Gen Soe Win, and a KIO delegation held a one-day meeting in Myintkyina, the capital of Kachin State, on Wednesday.

Lapai Naw Din, the editor of the Thailand-based Kachin News Group, said the junta pressed the KIO delegation to agree to transform its army into a border guard force, and both side failed to arrive at a compromise.

“They [The Kachin] are aware that they can’t persuade the junta to agree to their proposals. But, they still want to talk about their wishes,” said Lapai Naw Din.

He said that a member of delegation told him the junta officials stuck to their demand to become part of a border guard force under command of the military government.

The KIO has proposed that it form a Kachin Regional Border Guard Force instead of becoming a government border guard force under command of junta officers.

Sources said the KIO delegation included different KIO department representatives at the meeting.

Awng Wa, a Kachin youth leader, said the KIO leaders realize their proposal has little chance of being accepted, but they want to negotiate as long as possible.

KIO leaders have said that if the junta tries to force them to comply, they will fight.

Kachin Independence Army (KIA) officers have told their troops to repel any junta troops that enter its area.

The KIA vice chief of staff, Col Sumlut Gun Maw, has said that political differences between the Kachin and the government require the Kachin to maintain an independent army, according to Naw Din.

Lahkyen La Ja, the KIO general-secretary, told The Irrawaddy in June that the army would only become a border guard force if there is a political change that brings true democracy to Burma.

Another ethnic armed ceasefire group in northern Shan State, the United Wa State Army, also continues to be pressured by the junta.

Mai Aik Phone, a Wa observer, said the UWSA held meetings on Sept. 15-16 at its headquarter in Phangsang and agreed to repeat its offer to become a border guard force if the junta allows the Wa to establish an autonomous state.

Meanwhile, the Wa, who have a 20,000-man army, are preparing for armed conflict with junta troops. Sources say Wa officials have offered weapons to civilians to fight along side of professional soldiers.

irrawaddy