NEWS!- Karennis Say Surrender on 23

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Subject: NEWS!- Karennis Say Surrender on 23 July a Staged One

Karennis Say Surrender on 23 July a Staged One

The Karenni resistance said on Friday that the surrender in Loikaw on 23
July as publicized by the military junta was a
political ploy.

The statement issued by the Karenni National Progressive Party accused
the State Peace and Development Council of
"trying to make a bag out of a pinch".

The New Light of Myanmar reported on 24 July of "a ceremony to mark
exchange of arms for peace" held in Loikow,
the capital of "Kayah State", and presided by General Khin Nyunt in his
capacity as Chairman of Work Committee or
Development of Border Areas and National Races. A total 113 members of
"Kayinni National Development Party of
Hoya Region" led by "Commander U Goeri" was reported to have" returned
to the legal fold".

The Karenni statement held that the said members were mostly civilians
who fled into Thailand years ago. They wanted
to return to their home villages and persuaded some of the fighters from
the Karenni Army to escort them, and to be safe
from the junta's prosecution, they decided to masquerade themselves as
members of the resistance and negotiated for
surrender, according to the statement.

Saw Doh Say, Deputy-Director of the Karenni Foreign Office, told
S.H.A.N. only two of the fighters went along with
the people who returned home.

The Karenni have been fighting for independence since 1948, the year the
British left Burma.

S.H.A.N.



NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: PEACE BECOMES MORE RADIANT IN KAYAH STAT

24 July, 1999

Secretary-1 sounds-warning of dangers to peace
NLD still pursuing confrontation for utter devastation
Attempting to divide Tatmadaw to get power by short cut
Trying to divide national race organizations to break national
solidarity
State shall always strive for everlasting national solidarity

YANGON, 23 July - A ceremony to mark exchange of arms for peace by the
members led by Commander U Goeri of Kayinni National Development Party
of
Hoya Region was held at City Hall in Loikaw, Kayah [Karenni] State, this
morning, with an address by Chairman of Work Committee for Development
of
Border Areas and National Races Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

At 7.15 am, Hoya Region Commander of Kayinni National Development Party
took positions in Kandara-wady sports ground in Loikaw for attending the
ceremony to exchange arms for peace.

Then, Hoya Region Commander U Goeri and members of Kayinni National
Development Party marched from the sports ground to the City Hall of
Loikaw. They were accorded a rousing welcome by service personnel,
nurses,
teachers and students, USDA members, Red Cross and Fire Brigade members,
MCWA members, members of Kayah State Committee for Women's Affairs,
members
of traditional cultural troupe and local people along the route.

Hoya Region Commander U Goeri and members of Kayinni National
Development
Party took the places in the City Hall at 8 am. The Secretary-1
delivered
an address.

In his concluding address, the Secretary-1 heartily welcomed the Kayaw
national race group led by U Goeri which returned to the legal fold,
saying
the State will discharge the duty of ensuring firm and secure life for
them
and will enable them to live peacefully in the warm embrace of the
government. He urged the people to render assistance for the remaining
armed groups in Kayah State to return to the legal fold. He thanked the
peace negotiators and urged all to strive for Myanmar to become modern
and
developed soonest. Commander Brig-Gen Myint Thein then gave a speech.
Brig-Gen Myint Thein said he warmly welcomed the 113 members of Kayinni
National Development Party led by U Goeri who had exchanged arms for
peace
inviting the remnants of the armed group to follow suit if they have
real
wish to serve the well-being of the regional people.

U Goeri made a speech. He gave a vote of thanks. He said that they had
been
engaged in the armed insurrection for development of their national race
group and that though time passed, they had not done much for their own
people except serving the interest of just a small group of people.

Though they had made peace, they became deviated from the course due to
various intra-party problems, he said and added that they heard that
other
groups, after having made peace, now carry out development project for
their regions.

He said that due to the results of peace in other regions and
encouragement
by local people and peace negotiators, they decided to return to the
legal
fold.

Fully trusting the State leaders, they have exchanged arms for peace
leaving their family members in danger, he said and made an ardent
request
for resettlement of their families and implementation of projects for
development of their region.

He stated that due to difficult access and lack of preparations, there
were
only 113 members and expressed belief that there would be more coming in
future.

He expressed hope that as their region would develop the rest would
follow
their example, and expressed thanks to the state leaders for giving them
a
hearty warm welcome and made a solemn promise that they would strive
their
utmost joining hands with the government for regional development and
security.

U Goeri presented arms and his men to Brig-Gen Myint Thein. Brig-Gen
Myint
Thein presented gifts to U Goeri. Secretary-l, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt
cordially
met with U Goeri and peace negotiators.