Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RANGOON816
2009-12-22 04:01:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rangoon
Cable title:
KNU DENIES RESPONSIBILITY FOR BOMBING IN KAREN
how-toVZCZCXRO2420 OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH RUEHTRO DE RUEHGO #0816 3560401 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 220401Z DEC 09 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY RANGOON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9687 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 2365 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 5859 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 9425 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 7044 RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI 2386 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2793 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000816
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, DRL, AND IO
PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/22/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: KNU DENIES RESPONSIBILITY FOR BOMBING IN KAREN
(KAYIN) STATE
Classified By: Political Officer Marc Shaw for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000816
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, DRL, AND IO
PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/22/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: KNU DENIES RESPONSIBILITY FOR BOMBING IN KAREN
(KAYIN) STATE
Classified By: Political Officer Marc Shaw for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
1. (SBU) Embassy Rangoon contacts in Karen state confirmed
press reports that a bomb exploded in Papun, Karen state on
December 16, killing at least seven individuals and injuring
11. The New Light of Myanmar (Burma's state-run daily) and
AFP reported that a time bomb detonated in the evening at a
temporary bazaar to celebrate Karen New Year. The GOB claims
the Karen National Union (KNU) is responsible for the
bombing. The KNU is a political organization representing
ethnic Karens that has been in an ongoing struggle with the
regime since the country's independence; its military wing is
the Karen National Union Liberation Army. The GOB describes
the KNU as a terrorist organization.
2. (SBU) In a statement released on December 18, however,
the KNU "categorically" denies responsibility. In direct
contradiction to Burma government accusations, the KNU stated
that it is not a terrorist organization, but rather an
organization that works toward achieving peace and
prosperity. The KNU argues that the Burma Army commits war
crimes and that the bombing was "instigated by the...
military regime." The KNU stated the government seeks to
discredit and "create conflict and misunderstanding" within
ethnic groups in advance of the 2010 elections.
DINGER
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, DRL, AND IO
PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/22/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: KNU DENIES RESPONSIBILITY FOR BOMBING IN KAREN
(KAYIN) STATE
Classified By: Political Officer Marc Shaw for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
1. (SBU) Embassy Rangoon contacts in Karen state confirmed
press reports that a bomb exploded in Papun, Karen state on
December 16, killing at least seven individuals and injuring
11. The New Light of Myanmar (Burma's state-run daily) and
AFP reported that a time bomb detonated in the evening at a
temporary bazaar to celebrate Karen New Year. The GOB claims
the Karen National Union (KNU) is responsible for the
bombing. The KNU is a political organization representing
ethnic Karens that has been in an ongoing struggle with the
regime since the country's independence; its military wing is
the Karen National Union Liberation Army. The GOB describes
the KNU as a terrorist organization.
2. (SBU) In a statement released on December 18, however,
the KNU "categorically" denies responsibility. In direct
contradiction to Burma government accusations, the KNU stated
that it is not a terrorist organization, but rather an
organization that works toward achieving peace and
prosperity. The KNU argues that the Burma Army commits war
crimes and that the bombing was "instigated by the...
military regime." The KNU stated the government seeks to
discredit and "create conflict and misunderstanding" within
ethnic groups in advance of the 2010 elections.
DINGER