The Karen National Union Chairperson, General Saw Mutu Say Poe marked the 71st Karen National Revolution Day (January 31st), by announcing that the KNU remains in a defensive situation.

According to an official statement, “the KNU is working to fulfill the hopes of the Karen people and their political objectives. However, further efforts are needed to cooperate with ethnic revolutionary organizations and political parties that are in line with their [KNU] political goals.”

The KNU Chairperson added, the Karen revolution is relevant to each and every one of the Karen people.

He called upon, all Karen people to take part in the Karen revolution and to strive together in making the [future] history of the Karen people.

The KNU has been a party to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) and related political dialogues for more than four years, however, it has not yet been able to strengthen the implementation of the agreement.

The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) Brigade No. 5 Deputy Commander-In-Chief Lt-Gen Saw Baw Kyaw Heh, indicated his reasoning for this shortcoming, during his speech at the opening ceremony of the 71st Karen Revolution Day.

He noted, the Karen revolution has not yet been achieved, because pursuing the peace process through the current 2008 Constitution is not the right path.

The KNU-led armed revolution began on January 31, 1949, but the KNU believes they have not achieved equal rights and autonomy from the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League also known as the Hpa Hsa Pa La.