For many decades, the Burmese military junta has been in numerous ways trying to pressure ceasefire groups to surrender their arms. Now with the referendum and elections approaching, the regime is adopting a new tactic and using a softer approach and persuading the groups to form political parties.
"This is another strategy adopted by the junta to make ceasefire groups surrender by saying that 'we won't force you to disarm, it is your own choice'. But, I think after forming political parties, the junta will then say that 'it is against the law to have armed political parties'. And it will then put them in a difficult situation", said Khu Rihmond Htoo, the General Secretary of Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) in a recent interview conducted by S.H.A.N.
The junta recently announced that it will hold a referendum in May for the new constitution and a general election in 2010. It is also urging the ceasefire groups around China and Thailand borders to form political parties, according to other sources.
"They won't force cease fire groups to surrender yet but they will try to use indirect ways in order to disarm them. Now the international community is waiting and hoping to see the junta change but actually I think, it is the junta that wants to change the international community's view," he added.
"The one country, one armed forces principle is included in the 104 basic principles in the draft constitution of the junta, so they will try to make cease fire groups surrender arms anyway. If we are not united and take one wrong step, they will take advantage and destroy us," said the General Secretary of PaO National Libration Organization (PNLO) Khun Thurain. PNLO is a splinter group of Shan State Nationalities Peoples' Liberation Organization (SSNPLO) in 2007.
"To divide the groups and make them surrender is their (SPDC's) policy. We fought with some of the ceasefire groups in the past, but we have learnt that it is of no benefit for either side. So now we have reached a mutual understanding," said Col. Yawd Serk, Chairman of the Restoration Council for Shan State (RCSS). "We always welcome open political discussions with the SPDC but we haven't got any reply from them".
Several media groups reported that, since early this month, the Military Affairs Security (MAS) chief, Major_General Ye Myint was meeting cease fires groups in Nothern Shan State which included Kachin Defence Army (KDA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), National Democratic Alliance Army- Eastern Shan State (NDAA-ESS), Shan State Army- (SSA-North), and United Wa State Army (UWSA) .
And in Kachin State, the Minister of Cultural Affairs, Major-General Khin Aung Myint was reportedly meeting Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and New Democratic Army-Kachin (NDA-K).
"This is another strategy adopted by the junta to make ceasefire groups surrender by saying that 'we won't force you to disarm, it is your own choice'. But, I think after forming political parties, the junta will then say that 'it is against the law to have armed political parties'. And it will then put them in a difficult situation", said Khu Rihmond Htoo, the General Secretary of Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) in a recent interview conducted by S.H.A.N.
The junta recently announced that it will hold a referendum in May for the new constitution and a general election in 2010. It is also urging the ceasefire groups around China and Thailand borders to form political parties, according to other sources.
"They won't force cease fire groups to surrender yet but they will try to use indirect ways in order to disarm them. Now the international community is waiting and hoping to see the junta change but actually I think, it is the junta that wants to change the international community's view," he added.
"The one country, one armed forces principle is included in the 104 basic principles in the draft constitution of the junta, so they will try to make cease fire groups surrender arms anyway. If we are not united and take one wrong step, they will take advantage and destroy us," said the General Secretary of PaO National Libration Organization (PNLO) Khun Thurain. PNLO is a splinter group of Shan State Nationalities Peoples' Liberation Organization (SSNPLO) in 2007.
"To divide the groups and make them surrender is their (SPDC's) policy. We fought with some of the ceasefire groups in the past, but we have learnt that it is of no benefit for either side. So now we have reached a mutual understanding," said Col. Yawd Serk, Chairman of the Restoration Council for Shan State (RCSS). "We always welcome open political discussions with the SPDC but we haven't got any reply from them".
Several media groups reported that, since early this month, the Military Affairs Security (MAS) chief, Major_General Ye Myint was meeting cease fires groups in Nothern Shan State which included Kachin Defence Army (KDA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), National Democratic Alliance Army- Eastern Shan State (NDAA-ESS), Shan State Army- (SSA-North), and United Wa State Army (UWSA) .
And in Kachin State, the Minister of Cultural Affairs, Major-General Khin Aung Myint was reportedly meeting Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and New Democratic Army-Kachin (NDA-K).
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