Ethnic armed groups are disappointed with the current visit of Ibrahim Gambari, the United Nations special envoy to Burma. They said their expectations from the envoy had diminished because there has been no progress following his visit this time.
"We cannot expect much from Gambari this time because we can see that he has had little chance to meet top leaders of the Burmese military regime compared to earlier visits," said David Taw, spokesperson for the Karen National Union (KNU).
Gambari's visit to Burma is to call for a "Tripartite Dialogue" between the Burmese military junta, the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and ethnic nationalities. We hope that Gambari will try to do his job even though he stands a small chance, he added.
The Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) has also said Gambari's visit to Burma is not much different from before.
"We don't know how Gambari can negotiate with the leaders of the military regime to cooperate with ethnic minorities," said Khu Oo Re, spokesperson of the KNPP.
However, if Gambari can make some progress this time, it will benefit not only the ethnic minorities but also all Burmans in Burma, Khu Oo Re added.
The KNPP, based along the Thai-Burma border, was founded in 1955 to secure independence from the Burmese state.
Meanwhile, human rights abuses continue in Karen and Kayah states by the Burmese Army, according to KNU and KNPP.
"The Burmese Army is using civilians as forced labourers, porters and is confiscating land of the people as part of military operations in Kayah state," said Khu Oo Re.
The Shan State Army-South (SSA-S) also said human rights abuses continue in Shan State.
In the SSA-S's opinion Gambari's visit to Burma this time has seen no progress but SSA-S hopes that his visit can benefit in other ways, said Sai Hseng Merng, spokesperson for the Shan State Army- South (SSA-S).
David Taw of the KNU welcomed any dialogue with the Burmese military regime. But to protect its people and its army, they would continue to keep arms.
