Slorc a doubtful peacemaker
The Nation, Saturday, January 15, 1994

Aung Zaw reports on development towards peace in Burma involving the Kachin, based in the far north of the troubled country.

Many people are wondering about the objectives of the peace talks between the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and the Burmese regime, the State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc).

It seems that while the former is serious about solving Burma’s long standing civil war with sincerity, the latter is ready to take advantage of an important development for international recognition and legitimacy.

“Even though the Kachins are talking alone with the Rangoon regime, their real aims are not only for Kachin state but for all (ethnic groups) in Burma,” a source close to the Kachin insurgents recently said.

Since 1989, one year after the Burmese military eliminated nationwide democracy uprising, the KIO has been talking with the pariah Burmese regime. For Kachins, it is not the first time.

Since 1963, the KIO has held talks with one Burmese government or another as it believes the political issues can only be solved on the table not on the battlefield. But all negotiations collapsed because the military regime always insisted that the Kachins surrender their arms first.

Moreover, during Gen Ne Win’s era, he and his Cabinet were unwilling to consider the Kachins’ rights to autonomy in their land.

Regarding current talks, though the KIO kept saying they had reached no political deal with Slorc, many believe that there has been some agreements and understanding between the Burmese regime and the KIO.

The Kachins issued a statement on 12 October stating that “to date, no political or formal military agreements have been reached.” They have held several meetings since 1989 but the breakthrough came only in late 1992.

In January 1993, both sides agreed to resume talks without pre-condition. The KIO itself admitted that there are some developments between the KIO and Slorc. But the Kachins seem to have very careful considerations and plans to talk with Slorc.

A Kachin official said: “While we are trying to establish national reconciliation, we don’t want to create any misunderstanding to affect our talks. Instead of accusing and blaming each other, we will need to find a valuable way for our people who are suffering.”

The Kachins have been trying hard to bring the regime to solve the matter on the table, Slorc has bitterly refused to talk with ethnic armed groups since it came into power and did not recognize the ethnic issue and civil war.

No matter what the KIO’s belief on peace is, the painful effect for Kachins is that they have lost friends. The KIO has faced sharp criticisms from its allies, the Democratic Alliance of Burma (DAB). Since 16 October, 1993, DAB has decided on a temporary suspension of the KIO as a member.

Indeed, there is much confusion surrounding the Kachin-Slorc talks­some claim that “while others are condemning the regime, the KIO has offered to shake hands with illegal Slorc. It is giving credibility to the illegal regime.”

Some observers believed that the Chinese are putting pressure on the Kachins to talk. An analyst said: “The Chinese involvement is obvious. The Chinese officials arranged for the meeting between KIO and Burmese military officials.”

But no doubt China has influence not only with the Kachins but also with the Burmese regime. The regime has bought tons of military hard-ware from China since 1989. China has become a major backer of the Slorc.

Many wondering precisely what kind of agreement has been reached so far between the KIO and Slorc. Lacking publicity, the Kachins’ move confuses the people and friends. A source close to the KIO said: “The Kachins are not going to explain anything to you as they can’t even predict what will happen in the process. It is just beginning.”

According to a KIO official, the Kachins have been fighting for decades so it cannot solve all problems in just one or two days. He also said: “We cannot explain at the moment because we ourselves are also trying to find the best way to achieve peace in Burma. It is not an easy matter.”

An analyst close to KIO said: “The Kachins are very careful with how to approach Slorc. They cannot demand the release of Aung San Suu Kyi or a handover of power because Slorc will not talk to them if the Kachins did so. So they have to go gently.”

But one observer who has been following the peace talks very closely said that “there is a shift going on in Burma. The peace talk does not give any promise to Burmese for peace but of course it is a ping-pong game. People should realize that there are many things remaining to be solved. In order to solve these problems, all Burmese must participate, including well-respected leaders of Burma, so that the process will go faster.”

Indeed things are still uncertain. No one can predict what will be the result in the end. Meanwhile, many are asking if the illegal regime is sincere in solving the long-standing ethnic problems. It not, there is no meaning for one of three Slorc’s national causes­“non-disintegration of national solidarity”.

Ironically, while officials of Slorc are talking with surrendered ethnic groups, including the KIO, at the army guest houses in Burma, the Karens and some remaining groups who have refused to surrender or agree to talk separately are facing offensive threats by the Burmese army.

According to a reliable source, in December and early January, about 400 villagers in southern Burma and Karen state were forcefully taken by soldiers to front-line in order to attack Karen and other insurgents.

One can feel that, by hook or crook, Slorc is forcing the insurgents to make peace for its international image. Without serious sincerity, how can Burma achieve genuine peace? Still it is early to say what the end will be but opportunists are already taking full advantage. Will the four-decade long ethnic fighting end soon with peaceful solution? The answer is ‘No’.

Even if the leaders of military and ethnic minorities could establish peace, the question is how long will it last? How much can the ethnic leaders inside and on the border trust the current military leadership and their sincerity?

Of course the ethnic minorities themselves have witnessed how the military have treated the Burmans, not to mention the Karens, Mons and Kachins etc. Indeed, this is still a long way to go for peace.

In order to gain genuine peace and national reconciliation Burma will need real leaders who are well-respected and can be given full cooperation by their people, not just players.

This article appeared in The Nation newspaper, Saturday, January 15, 1994.