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Mizzima: The new KIO leaders may re
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The new KIO leaders may reconsider the ceasefire agreement
Shweli (Burma-China border), February 27, 2001
Mizzima News Group (www.mizzima.com)
The new leadership of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) may
reconsider the cease-fire deal it entered with the ruling Burmese junta
in 1994, sources close to the KIO said. The KIO, one of Burma?s
strongest armed ethnic groups, had seen a change of leadership last week
when a group of discontented junior officers took over power. The
bloodless coup or change of leadership, whatever one may term, occurred
on 21st February at Pajau, the Kachin headquarters on the Burma-China
border.
Brig-General Tu Jai, who is believed to enjoy strong support from the
rank and file of the organization, replaced Gen. Zaw Mai as the chairman
of the KIO.
The growing discontents among the lower ranks over the current condition
of the ceasefire and the widening gap between the top leaders and common
soldiers are said to be the main reasons behind the change. ?While there
is not much rice in the godowns in Pajau, the (former) Central Committee
members have accumulated much wealth,? said the source.
The Kachin Independence Organization signed a cease-fire agreement with
the ruling Burmese military government in Myitkyina, Kachin State seven
years ago.
?Till now, the coup team is handling the situation with much caution. As
the coup is led by those who are not satisfied with the current
situation of the cease-fire deal, it is much likely that it would
re-consider the (ceasefire) agreement,? continued the source.
However, the KIO spokesman Jen Lomethong in Thailand told yesterday, in
an interview with the Nation newspaper, that the change in the
leadership would not affect the group?s truce with Rangoon. Some Kachin
activists outside the country have the same view. ?We welcome the change
of leadership. But the new leaders might not actually break the
cease-fire agreement,? said an activist at the Indo-Burma border.
It is believed that former leaders of the KIO, including the chairman
Gen. Zau Mai, are now in the custody at the KIO headquarters.
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<center><b><u><font face="Arial Black"><font color="#000099"><font size=+1>The
new KIO leaders may reconsider the ceasefire agreement</font></font></font></u></b></center>
<p><font size=+1>Shweli (Burma-China border), February 27, 2001</font>
<br><font size=+1>Mizzima News Group <a href="http://www.mizzima.com";>(www.mizzima.com)</a></font>
<p><font color="#660000"><font size=+1>The new leadership of the Kachin
Independence Organization (KIO) may reconsider the cease-fire deal it entered
with the ruling Burmese junta in 1994, sources close to the KIO said. The
KIO, one of Burma?s strongest armed ethnic groups, had seen a change of
leadership last week when a group of discontented junior officers took
over power. The bloodless coup or change of leadership, whatever one may
term, occurred on 21st February at Pajau, the Kachin headquarters on the
Burma-China border.</font></font>
<p><font color="#660000"><font size=+1>Brig-General Tu Jai, who is believed
to enjoy strong support from the rank and file of the organization, replaced
Gen. Zaw Mai as the chairman of the KIO.</font></font>
<p><font color="#660000"><font size=+1>The growing discontents among the
lower ranks over the current condition of the ceasefire and the widening
gap between the top leaders and common soldiers are said to be the main
reasons behind the change. ?While there is not much rice in the godowns
in Pajau, the (former) Central Committee members have accumulated much
wealth,? said the source.</font></font>
<p><font color="#660000"><font size=+1>The Kachin Independence Organization
signed a cease-fire agreement with the ruling Burmese military government
in Myitkyina, Kachin State seven years ago.</font></font>
<p><font color="#660000"><font size=+1>?Till now, the coup team is handling
the situation with much caution. As the coup is led by those who are not
satisfied with the current situation of the cease-fire deal, it is much
likely that it would re-consider the (ceasefire) agreement,? continued
the source.</font></font>
<p><font color="#660000"><font size=+1>However, the KIO spokesman Jen Lomethong
in Thailand told yesterday, in an interview with the Nation newspaper,
that the change in the leadership would not affect the group?s truce with
Rangoon. Some Kachin activists outside the country have the same view.
?We welcome the change of leadership. But the new leaders might not actually
break the cease-fire agreement,? said an activist at the Indo-Burma border.</font></font>
<p><font color="#660000"><font size=+1>It is believed that former leaders
of the KIO, including the chairman Gen. Zau Mai, are now in the custody
at the KIO headquarters.</font></font>
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