The KNU-KNLA Karen Peace Council (KPC) is gearing up to defend itself if the Burmese Army launches an offensive against it, a high ranking KPC official said today.

The KPC has officially rejected transformation to the Border Guard Force (BGF) till now. The KPC is based in Hto Kaw Koo village in Kawkareik Township, Karen State.

Brigadier Gen. Dr. Saw Ti Mathay, in-charge of the foreign affairs department of KPC, said that "the junta told us that if we don't transform to BGF by the end of this month, they will attack. Our troops are prepared to resist. If a gun is fired in one place, gun battles will occur all around as a consequence. We have an understanding with the DKBA and KNU."

The Burmese Army has deployed troops in KPC controlled areas. KPC consequently has mobilized troops for defence, he said.

A KPC delegation and high ranking junta officials met in Mawlamyaing, Mon State on August 24. At the meeting, the junta warned that if the KPC did not transform to BGF within a week, the Burmese Army will take military action. Following which tension is palpable between the Burmese Army and KPC.

"There is a deadlock. We are awaiting orders from above," a KPC officer in Kyar Inn Seik Gyi township said.

KPC rejected the BGF proposal in October last year and again rejected transformation into a People's Militia group on 7 April this year after KPC leaders met junta leaders at the headquarters of the southeast military command in Mawlamyaing city.  

"If they really attack the enemy (Burmese Army), we can help them. The important thing is we all need to attack the enemy," Naw Zipporrah Sein, general secretary of KNU, said.

Dr. Saw Ti Mathay, a religious leader said that if gun battles break out in Hto Kaw Koo area between the Burmese Army and the KPC, over 5,000 villagers from 20 villages are likely to become war refugees.

Former KNU Brigade 7 commander, Gen. Htin Maung led KNU-KNLA Karen Peace Council split from the KNU on 11 February 2007 and signed a ceasefire agreement with the junta.

According to Brigadier Gen. Dr. Saw Ti Mathay, KPC has over 2,000 troops actively serving in Pa-an, Kawkareik and Kyar Inn Seik Gyi township in Karen State.

Since 1989, there are 17 armed ethnic groups which signed ceasefire agreements with the military regime. The regime has been pressurizing the ceasefire armed groups to transform into BGF since April 2009 but only five armed groups have accepted.