The Karen National Union (KNU) met with Tanintharyi region government delegates in Dawei recently for discussions on reconstruction of Karen villages destroyed during 1997 military operations in Myeit-Tavoy district, among other things.
Saw Hsar Be Tu, KNU liaison in charge for Myeit-Tavoy district, said they presented four points concerning land confiscation cases, introducing Karen literature in village schools and the positioning and policies of military troops in the area. They also requested for development issues affecting Karen populations in the Myeit-Tavoy district to be addressed, and for a KNU communications office to be opened. Aside from the main points, they discussed pressing health concerns such as access to clean water for villagers.
Tanintharyi region’s Chief Minister U Myat Ko assured the KNU representatives Karen literature could be taught in district schools so as long as it did not interfere with the government's current curriculum. The other points, however, would be negotiated on a step by step basis, he said.
According to KNU’s Myeit-Tavoy district chief, Karen literature would not be immediately introduced in all the district’s 130 villages, but first be introduced in the more easily accessible areas.
The KNU signed a ceasefire agreement with the government in January 2012. Since then, they have opened liaison offices in Taung Ngu; Kyauk Kyi; Hpa-an; Myawaddy; Phaya Thone Zu in Three Pagodas Pass and Tavoy.
