Gen Saw Bo Mya comments on cease-fire talks

DVB ( December 11 )

The SPDC (State Peace and Development Council) representative Col San Pwint met again on 9 December with KNU (Karen National Union) leader Gen Saw Bo Mya. Meanwhile, the KNU delegation that visited Rangoon has returned to Bangkok on 8 December.

In order to learn more about the prospect of peace negotiations between the KNU and the SPDC, DVB correspondent Maung Too contacted KNU Leader Gen Saw Bo Mya and filed this report.

DVB : The five-member low-level KNU delegation returned yesterday. Could you explain about the talks they had with the SPDC?

Gen Saw Bo Mya : Well, nothing is definite as yet but the general situation is good. The visit was aimed at building confidence and we have attained that.

DVB : What would you do after building confidence?

Gen Saw Bo Mya : We would proceed with the cease-fire talks.

DVB : We have learned that the junta is planning to make a cease-fire deal with the KNLA (Karen National Liberation Army), the armed wing, but not with the entire KNU. Is it true that the junta plans to make an army to army cease-fire?

Gen Saw Bo Mya : I think it would eventually expand. The KNU has been engaged in the revolution and fighting a civil war for decades and the SPDC wants to make a cease-fire deal. In order to reach an agreement, I feel it is better to begin with the army to army deal.

DVB : If the KNU reaches a cease-fire agreement with the SPDC then what about border-based opposition alliance groups such as the NCUB (National Council of the Union of Burma), where you yourself is the president, what would be your opinion of the opposition at the border?

Gen Saw Bo Mya : We would do what is best. Even if we reach mutual understanding and sign a cease-fire agreement, we could not neglect the other organizations. While we are engaging in cease-fire talks we are neither neglecting the other groups nor opposing them. Well, all the people of Burma are our brothers.

(BBC Monitoring Service)