Aside from being a seasoned war veteran, Robert Zan also happens to be the son of former KNU chairperson Mahn Ba Zan. Karen News interviewed Robert Zan while he was attending the 10th “Karen Unity Seminar” held from May 28-31 at Law Khee Lar in KNU’s Hpa-an District in Karen State.

Speaking to Karen News, Robert Zan said: “The ceasefire process has been going on for over two years now, but we have yet to achieve a concrete agreement. Therefore, the ceasefire negotiations need to set a timeframe. For Burma’s government, they have gained advantages with lots of profits within the two year period [of the ceasefire].”

Robert Zan described some of the advantages that Thein Sein’s government has gained from signing ceasefires with armed ethnic groups since 2011.

“[President] U Thein Sein has become the chair of ASEAN, the World Bank wrote-off Burma’s debts, and the international community has lifted restrictions and sanctions. There are more investments going into the country providing [investors with] millions in profit. But there is little opportunity for our Karen people as they [the government] blocked us with the 2008 Constitution.”

Robert Zan said that although Burma’s government was previously disregarded by the international community Burma is now widely recognized, and its image has been on the rise since it began peace talks with armed ethnic groups—including the KNU—and after Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was elected to parliament.

Yet Robert Zan also warned that the slow progress of peace talks could be a sign that the government is only changing at a surface level in order to further its own political and economic goals.

In an interview with Karen News, Padoh Saw David Thakabaw, director of the KNU’s Ethnic Alliance Affair Department, responded to Mahn Robert Zan’s insistence on setting a ceasefire timeframe as soon as possible.

David Thakabaw told Karen News that “We need to look into our situation when setting the timeframe. From the government side, they wanted to sign the nationwide ceasefire as soon as possible. From our ethnic side, we still have issues that need further discussion. The nationwide ceasefire should be implemented by the government and [should be] followed by political dialogue. But the government is now also trying to approach individual ethnic groups to sign ceasefire agreements. We will try to push it [the ceasefire agreement] before 2015.”

On the bright side, Mahn Robert Zan expressed optimism with regard to Karen unity, observing that over 200 representatives and leaders from various Karen political and community-based organizations attended the 10th annual “Karen Unity Seminar.”

Mahn Robert Zan previously served in the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) for over 30 years, including stints as company commander; captain; column commander; deputy battalion commander; and tactical commander. In 2000, he was resettled with his family in the United States.