Kachin representatives in Rangoon to meet SPDC leader

DVB ( 17 November 2003 )

The top leaders of KIO (Kachin Independence Organisation) which signed the ceasefire agreement with the SPDC have arrived in Rangoon to have discussions with General Khin Nyunt on his road map plan.

In a meeting held recently at Myikyina – the capital of Kachin State, the Kachin National Consultative Committee (KNCC) decided to send some representatives to the SPDC sponsored ‘National Convention’ as part of the regime’s road map plan.

The chairman of KIO, U Lamon Tu Jai, the vice-chairmen U Zawng Khra and General Zaw Seng and the secretary Dr. Tu Ja came down to Rangoon to arrange things with the SPDC’s Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt before the convention, according to someone close to KIO.

KIO signed ceasefire agreements with the regime in 1993 and it didn’t attend the previous convention held in the same year.

The organisation had been insisting up until recently that it wouldn’t be attending the convention unless it is genuinely democratic.

The main opposition groups such as NLD which won the 1990 election and the UNA (United Nationalities Alliance) oppose the regime’s road map plan including the convention because of its lack vision and democracy.

The regime is desperately trying to legitimise its role and propagate military dictatorship with the so-called ‘National Convention’.