The Karen National Union (KNU) told Mizzima on August 25 that they will not entrust the future of Karens into the hands of the government, even though they believe in the President’s peace plan.
Mann Nyein Maung, Central Committee member of the KNU Peace Process said, “We have revolutionary and political experience, and we are always alert politically.”
The KNU had a peace talk with The President, the Vice President, Dr. Sai Mauk Khan, Minister U Aung Min and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in the beginning of the year. Peace discussion have reached the Union level. Political dialogues are also being planned in order to reach an agreement on permanent peace.
The government has been able to reach cease-fire agreements with ethnic armed groups, but they have not reached the political discussion stage yet.
“It is impossible to dream about Democracy and national reconciliation at the moment,” commented Mann Nyein Maung.
He added, “All ethnic nationalities believe that resources in their regions belonged to them. However, The 2008 Constitution states that the government owns all natural resources in the country. If the government is serious about their intention to reconcile, they should rethink this issue.”
