Peace army groups oppose the government’s ultimatum

• Tuesday, 07 May 2013 06:36

• Written by Phyu Phyu Ko
In a press conference with reporter's yesterday, the Karen Peace Army group said “if government troops plan a military operation on Karen army groups who have already signed a ceasefire agreement, the Karen Army Groups will not hesitate in defending themselves.”

The meeting was held at the Office of Strategic Headquarters for the Karen Peace Council in Myawaddy; in attendance were the DKBA and the Karen Peace Council. The May 6 was heavily focused on the government issued ultimatum for the removal of DKBA forces.

Coinciding with this event, was a meeting led by the peace delegation (under Maj. Mg Lay), to resolve issues between the DKBA and government (with U Aung Min the minister of the government security acting as the representative).

 “The government troops ordered the DKBA to move out of the area by 12 pm on May 4the DKBA refuses to withdraw. Therefore, if the government troops launch a military offensive attack, we have to retaliate,” the DKBA’s Kaloathoopaw strategic Colonel Saw San Aung said during the press conference.

The DKBA fought with the government’s Border Guard Forces (BGF) on April 27 days. As a result, the government troops demanded the group's withdrawal from Mae pa in Myaing Kyi Ngu; they claimed the request was related to the cleaning and maintenance of the HutKyiDam area. “The problem began when one of the BGF soldiers showed aggression towards a DKBA soldier that had been cleared; gun fire broke out. Both sides were shooting each other and the battle broke out for three days. That's why the ultimatum to withdraw by May 4 given,” Colonel San Aung said.

A DKBA official has commented on the matter and said “If we [DKBA] move from those areas, we will be near that Thai border. We have no previously made arrangements with the Thai government.” Also, the official mentioned that the locals have business and agriculture that they have built in the areas, which is why they are unwilling to move.

Colonel Saw eh Kaw Htoo (Tiger) of the Karen Peace Council said “...if the government army launches a military offense to remove the DKBA, we will not be quiet.”

Government troops have approached the DKBA army camps to plan a military operation because the DKBA has not yet withdrawn; however efforts have been made by both sides to quell the violence. Recently, DKBA members spoke with military officials and have come to an apparent understanding.

The purpose of the DKBA and the Karen Peace Council conducting a meeting with reporters was to inform government officials and Myanmar Peace Center representatives (including President U Thein Sein) of the progress of the peace process with the ethnic groups.