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Mizzima: Burma rebels call for trip



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                Burma rebels call for tripartite dialogue

Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)

Mae Sot (Thailand), Oct. 19: A Burma rebel group has urged the ruling
Burmese military regime, namely State Peace and Development Council
(SPDC) to enter into a ?tripartite dialogue? to solve the country?s
longstanding problems. In a statement issued on 17 October, the Karenni
National Progressive Party (KNPP) urged the SPDC to accept and implement
a tripartite dialogue, as proposed by the United Nations, in order for
Burma?s current political situation to be solved by political means.

The statement issued by the central committee of the organization is
based on discussions on 16 October between Thai Defense Minister General
Chavalit Youngchaiyudh and British Ambassador to Bangkok Lloyd Smith on
a national reconciliation programme for Burma.

KNPP warmly welcomed the discussions held in Bangkok but stated that
final agreement on national reconciliation could not be reached on the
basis of discussions solely between the SPDC and three ethnic
nationalities armed opposition groups, the KNPP, the Karen National
Union (KNU) and the Shan State Army (SSA), arguing that the
reconciliation process must include talks between all the ethnic
nationalities and democratic forces once cease-fire agreements have been
reached between the SPDC and the armed ethnic groups.

A cease-fire agreement between the KNPP and the Burmese regime reached
on 21 March 21 1995 in Loikaw town in Kayah State only lasted for nearly
3 months, and fighting recommenced on 30 June 1995.  Fighting between
KNPP and SPDC troops is especially intense in Kayah State. However, the
Burmese junta used to talk that the KNPP is one of the 17 cease-fire
groups with them.

KNPP, KNU (Karen National Union), SSA (Shan State Army), ALP (Arakan
Liberation Party) and CNF (Chin National Front) operate jointly on the
military level since 31 July 2000 in their fight against the Burmese
troops. The military regime many times sent a so-called ?messenger for
peace? to Mae Hongson, close to KNPP?s central camp in northern Thailand
despite KNPP?s refusal to surrender to the SPDC.

Mizzima has learnt that in 1996, over 20,000 villagers were forcibly
displaced by SPDC authorities from Loikaw, Demawso, Shadaw and Phuso
Township in Kayah State.  Facing trouble at relocation sites, the
displaced Karenni villagers fled to border refugee camps in Thailand

The Karenni National Progressive Party has remained unwilling to join
the Federal Union of Future Burma, its final goal being the
establishment of a free Karenni Nation.



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<center><b><font color="#000099"><font size=+1>Burma rebels call for tripartite
dialogue</font></font></b></center>

<p><font color="#FF0000">Mizzima News <a href="http://www.mizzima.com";>(www.mizzima.com)</a></font>
<p><b><i>Mae Sot (Thailand), Oct. 19:</i></b> A Burma rebel group has urged
the ruling Burmese military regime, namely State Peace and Development
Council (SPDC) to enter into a ?tripartite dialogue? to solve the country?s
longstanding problems. In a statement issued on 17 October, the Karenni
National Progressive Party (KNPP) urged the SPDC to accept and implement
a tripartite dialogue, as proposed by the United Nations, in order for
Burma?s current political situation to be solved by political means.
<p>The statement issued by the central committee of the organization is
based on discussions on 16 October between Thai Defense Minister General
Chavalit Youngchaiyudh and British Ambassador to Bangkok Lloyd Smith on
a national reconciliation programme for Burma.
<p>KNPP warmly welcomed the discussions held in Bangkok but stated that
final agreement on national reconciliation could not be reached on the
basis of discussions solely between the SPDC and three ethnic nationalities
armed opposition groups, the KNPP, the Karen National Union (KNU) and the
Shan State Army (SSA), arguing that the reconciliation process must include
talks between all the ethnic nationalities and democratic forces once cease-fire
agreements have been reached between the SPDC and the armed ethnic groups.
<p>A cease-fire agreement between the KNPP and the Burmese regime reached
on 21 March 21 1995 in Loikaw town in Kayah State only lasted for nearly
3 months, and fighting recommenced on 30 June 1995.&nbsp; Fighting between
KNPP and SPDC troops is especially intense in Kayah State. However, the
Burmese junta used to talk that the KNPP is one of the 17 cease-fire groups
with them.
<p>KNPP, KNU (Karen National Union), SSA (Shan State Army), ALP (Arakan
Liberation Party) and CNF (Chin National Front) operate jointly on the
military level since 31 July 2000 in their fight against the Burmese troops.
The military regime many times sent a so-called ?messenger for peace? to
Mae Hongson, close to KNPP?s central camp in northern Thailand despite
KNPP?s refusal to surrender to the SPDC.
<p>Mizzima has learnt that in 1996, over 20,000 villagers were forcibly
displaced by SPDC authorities from Loikaw, Demawso, Shadaw and Phuso Township
in Kayah State.&nbsp; Facing trouble at relocation sites, the displaced
Karenni villagers fled to border refugee camps in Thailand
<p>The Karenni National Progressive Party has remained unwilling to join
the Federal Union of Future Burma, its final goal being the establishment
of a free Karenni Nation.
<p>&nbsp;</html>

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