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Opinion of Kachin people needed for Border Security Force issue |
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by May Kyaw
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Thursday, 14 May 2009 19:15 |
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) has said that they need to seek public opinion of the Kachin people in transforming and integrating their army with the Burma Army as one army in the country.
Kachin State Transitional Period Executive Vice-Chairman (2) Dr. Tuja responded to the offer extended to them by the Burmese military regime on April 28. It has been learnt that the KIO CC meeting is being held and discussions on the 'Border Security Force' (BSF) matter is underway.
We present here an interview with Dr. Tuja by Mizzima reporter May Kyaw for further details of KIO's opinion on the issue.
Q: Are you preparing to transform KIO into BSF?
A: This is just what has been proposed by the junta. KIO needs to discuss it. We can decide only after a detailed discussion with KIO leaders, community leaders and others.
Q: When did the junta first talk about this proposal?
A: Northern Command Commander Brig. Gen. Soe Win invited our KIO Chairman on April 28 and informed him about it. They explained this matter to us. The regional command commander explained to us about their plan. KIO Chairman and his team could not give any comment on this proposal at that meeting. In this way, the meeting was concluded without producing any results. Only after that, KIO has planned to hold a Central Committee (CC) meeting to discuss how to handle this matter. Currently, the CC meeting is in progress.
Q: What is the main agenda of your CC meeting?
A: The main issue is transformation of our army into a Border Security Force.
Q: Will it be convenient for you if you accept this BSF offer?
A: They (the junta) haven't yet said anything on the limitation of our army’s strength. Even if this plan materializes, we must have a detailed discussion among us to proceed with this plan. KIO leaders are of the view that if we agree on the transformation issue, we will have to make more mutual coordination and negotiation between us on detailed technical matters.
Q: Are there any difficulties in resolving transformation of your army to BSF?
A: We can say we have reached a turning point in dealing with the government, which needs negotiation. It will take more time for practical and technical matters to be negotiated. We have the will to do this negotiation. KIO is an organization, which is devoted to and sacrificed for our people and our region. We do not see this issue as a trivial matter, but as an important issue, which needs to be implemented through negotiation. KIO leaders have accepted this proposal in principle. But for the practical and technical matters, we need to hold many more negotiations between us.
Q: As a BSF army, in which places will KIO deploy these units?
A: No details have been finalized yet. And also the government has not disclosed anything regarding this matter. However, in accordance with the international law, there are provisions about what distance from the border the BSF units can be deployed. There are many international laws and treaties governing this matter. We must comply with all these instruments.
Q: What is the current strength of KIO?
A: We cannot divulge that in detail as I do not know it in detail too. I have not been in touch with our army for a long time.
Q: Gen. Thein Sein recently visited Myitkyina. Did he discuss this matter during his trip?
A: We did not see him during his Kachin State trip. He came here for other purposes.
Q: Dr. Tuja, do you think this BSF plan will materialize? How do you view this plan?
A: At this juncture of our country, I think this is an important and crucial matter which should be considered seriously. We cannot afford to see this matter in a careless manner. We must enhance and consolidate peace. Regarding the transformation matter too, there must be mutual accommodation and give and take between us in building lasting peace. We must implement this plan in detail. Hence, according to the situation of our country, not only KIO, other ethnic armed forces must consider this plan.
The government's plan is to resolve all problems through transformation of our armies. So we need to find the best solution for this matter in a serious manner. It will be productive and beneficial if we can resolve this issue frankly and honestly between us through coordination but not in an unilateral manner.
Q: Can we believe there will be only one unified army when these ethnic armed forces are transformed into the Border Security Force?
A: As soon as our army is transformed into BSF, it will be under the same command and administration. We will be under the unified army. We will be a branch of this army. So it means there will be one and only one unified army in our country.
Q: On taking this decision of transforming your army into BSF, will KIO coordinate with other ethnic armed forces or will you take a decision by negotiating only with the junta?
A: It is better if we can coordinate with all the ethnic armed forces as we are in the same boat. But it will depend on the condition. Even if we cannot meet and negotiate with them according to the prevailing situation, I think, there will be no differences among us.
We can go forward only in accordance with the situation. We must mainly discuss within our own organization and then with our people and community elders and leaders through detailed deliberations.
Q: Will KIO take Kachin public comment and opinion in this transformation issue?
A: Yes, we certainly need it, because KIO is the organization devoted for the cause and welfare of the Kachin people. And as an organization, which represents the Kachin people, we must seek the will and desire of the Kachin people in taking a decision on this important issue. There will not be long lasting peace, if KIO Central takes a decision on its own.
Q: Can you believe in the (junta's) army?
A: We must go through negotiation and coordination in every matter. I'm optimistic on everything. So should be the method in implementation too. The result can be produced only after implementing issues practically. We warmly welcome (this proposal), as it is for the sake and benefit of our people.
Q: In negotiation with the junta, whom will you meet from the government's side?
A: We have no restrictions in this matter. We will discuss with any responsible person concerned. We have no limitation on whom we will meet, with which rank etc.
Q: How do you plan to collect public opinion?
A: It will be done within our reach only.
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