The Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) wants the international community to take action against the military junta instead of attempting dialogue. During the fighting with the KNPP's military arm, the Karenni Army (KA), Karenni leaders said the regime was committing genocide by deliberately killing civilians, bombing their homes and places of worship, and destroying their food while preventing food rations from reaching the displaced camps.

"The Burma Army has committed serious human rights violations in the country," says Aung San Myint, the KNPP's second secretary. ''The people of Burma want a federal democracy. The international community shouldn't call for a dialogue between the regime and the opposition groups based on the 2008 Constitution because it'll prevent this.''

The KNPP leader was responding to recent statements by the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) calling on the Burmese regime to initiate a dialogue with opposition groups based on a five-point consensus they agreed to during an earlier pact with the coalition of Asian countries.

ASEAN members Singapore and Indonesia criticised the junta for not adhering to this policy.

In response, the regime-appointed State Administrative Council invited armed groups that had signed the failed Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement and non-signatories to dialogue on 12 February, Union Day, but didn't extend the invitation to the interim National Unity Government, the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw or any of the People's Defence Forces.

"They're trying to divide us. They invite some groups and call others terrorists. We're all members of the National Unity Consultative Council," says Padoh Saw Taw Nee, who's in charge of foreign affairs at the Karen National Union. He says none of the members will join.

"It's been a year and it's clear that they can't control the country completely. Everything is falling apart and whatever they try, they'll not succeed."