Burmese gov’t still exercising an ethnic ‘divide and rule’ strategy-Ethnic Armed Groups Reject Individual Peace Talks, Prefer Tripartite Dialogue

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The Burmese government is holding fast to its policy of only engaging in cease-fire talks with ethnic armed groups individually.

The government is avoiding a discussion with the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), a broad-based ethnic coalition that is seeking to negotiate a countrywide cease-fire to be followed by talks on national reconciliation and peace.

Karen National Union Vice Chairman Pado David Tharkapaw.

Karen National Union Vice Chairman Pado David Tharkapaw told Mizzima on Thursday that the government’s recent order instructing cease-fire groups to negotiate individually with state or regional governments is simply its ongoing “divide and rule” tactic.

“We want to talk with them as an alliance group. Talking individually is the policy of the past government. But they are following this same path. It is also a tactic for buying time and to break up our unity,” he said.

WAR: Seven Burmese soldiers were killed Thursday morning during fighting with the Kachin Independence Army KIA)

Seven Burmese soldiers were killed Thursday morning during fighting with the Kachin Independence Army KIA) at Wawang Kumbang, in Manmaw (Bhamo) District, in Kachin State, Northern Burma, witnesses said.

Two guns from Burmese soldiers were captured by KIA fighters, according to KIA officials from the headquarters in Laiza, eastern Kachin State.

All the dead soldiers were from Infantry Battalion No. 47, based in Manmaw, said sources close to government troops.

A KIA  Corporal received injuries to his leg, KIA officials said.

The battle zone is in N’Mawk Township, on the Myitkyina-Manmaw Highway, which is in the controlled area of the KIA’s Battalion 15, under 3rd Brigade.

The fighting occurred after the new government held its first press conference on August 12, denouncing the KIA as insurgents and terrorists. kachin news

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Unconfirmed report says Lt-Col Zeya Aung, Commander of Infantry Battalion #22, was court-martialed and sentenced to imprisonment.

Unconfirmed report says Lt-Col Zeya Aung, Commander of Infantry Battalion #22, was court-martialed and sentenced to imprisonment after failing to send reinforcement to troops fighting against the Shan State Army (SSA) in July.
It also says Lt-Col Thein Zaw Moe, responsible for road security between Wanzing and Mongnawng, had been court-martialed following ambush of reinforcements led by Lt-Col Win Nyunt late July.
According to business sources close to the Burma Army, the campaign against the SSA has not been well-coordinated among the three regional armies: Eastern, Northeastern and Middle East. (SHAN)-19.August 2011