The KNU central committee members and candidate central committee members attended, in full strength, the Central Committee emergency meeting held from December 29 to 30, 2003.

In the in-depth analysis of the internal and external situation of the country, the meeting finds that Burma is facing serious political and economic problems, as a result of the failure to resolve the existing political problems justly.

Currently, what is urgently needed for the country is to begin meaningful dialogues, resolve the political problems justly and undertake political reforms in accordance with aspirations of the ethnic nationalities and the entire people.

The KNU has always called for resolution of fundamental political problems by political means through dialogue. Accordingly, the KNU has welcomed the overture for dialogue made by the SPDC military regime and the KNU will make effort for the emergence of dialogue, in the near future, between the KNU and the SPDC military regime.

In closing, we, the KNU, affirm our determination to resolutely stand and endeavor for the basic interests of the Karen people, for freedom, justice, unity and peace for all our fellow ethnic nationalities and the entire people.

KNU Supreme Headquarters

December 31, 2003