KNU COMING TO TOWN?

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000074

SIPDIS

STATE ALSO FOR EAP/BCLTV;
USPACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV BM
SUBJECT: KNU COMING TO TOWN?

Classified By: CDA, a.i. Ronald K. McMullen for Reasons 1.5 (B,D)


1. SUMMARY: After several days of confusion about who is
coming and when, local contacts reported today, Thursday Jan
15, that a 21-strong KNU delegation led by Gen. Bo Mya has
arrived from Bangkok. While here, the KNU will reportedly
only discuss a cease-fire and Karen autonomy, not the
national convention. Some observers think a cease-fire
agreement is possible. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) According to Prof. Saw Simon Tha, a leader of the
Karen community in Rangoon, Karen National Union (KNU) leader
General Bo Mya arrived in Rangoon today at the head of a
21-person delegation to discuss terms with Prime Minister
General Khin Nyunt for a KNU-SPDC cease-fire. The KNU
delegation is here because of Thai PM Thaksin's initiative to
resolve regional conflicts and push forward with regional
economic development, according to Professor Tha. Gen Bo Mya
is reportedly accompanied by six KNU Central Executive
Committee members.


3. (C) According to Professor Simon Tha, who led two
delegations of Karen to Mae Sot in late November and again in
late December to speak to the KNU leadership on behalf of the
Karens in Rangoon, Bo Mya may have the authority to sign a
cease fire with the SPDC while on this trip. Prof. Tha said
he was optimistic, and feels it likely a cease-fire will be
signed. However, Bo Mya will only discuss a cease-fire and
steps required for Karen autonomy within a federal union.
The KNU is seeking a deal from the SPDC similar to what the
Wa have where they keep their own arms, run their own police
and jails, and manage their own regional economic and
cultural development programs with Rangoon handling national
defense and foreign policy. Though PM Khin Nyunt has told
Prof. Tha that all ethnic groups, cease-fire or not, will be
able to come to the National Convention, the KNU will
reportedly not discuss joining the national convention on
this visit.


4. (C) COMMENT: According to other sources, the SPDC is now
planning January 16-18 for its three-day quarterly general
meeting with SPDC members, regional commanders, the cabinet,
and light infantry division commanders. This may indicate
the SPDC didn't hold the meeting in Dec 03 due to
expectations of KNU to reach a cease-fire agreement with the
KNU shortly before the New Year.
McMullen