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KNU Statement,3/MAR.-Regarding the Case of Gen. Maung Aye and
Group Stepping Underfoot the Karan National Flag
At the surrender ceremony of the 16th Bn. Commander of the KNU,
Thumu Heh, in Kuaikdon, the SLORC Gen. Maung Aye:
1. Made Thumu Heh to knee in front of SLORC leaders and apologise for his
past mistakes,
2. Step underfoot the Karen national flag laid down on the ground.
It is not something unusual for Thumu Heh, who had surrendered to the
fascist military dictatorship of the SLORC, to perform the humiliating
rite. We are certain that he will be further humiliated by the SLORC in the
future.
However, the stepping underfoot of the Karen national which is held
as a sacred symbol by the entire Karen people, by SLORC Gen. Maung Aye and
his entourage, in public, demonstrates the vileness and the true nature of
the SLORC. This incident also proves beyond all doubt that the SLORC;
(1) Regards the entire Karen people as its enemy;
(2) Regards all the oppressed nationalities as its enemy, as it does
towards the Karen people,
(3) Has no intention to resolve the political problems of the country by
peaceful means and that it is politically bankrupt.
Dear Karen Resistance Fighters and the Entire Karen People,
We, the KNU, have held four rounds of talks with the SLORC, with the
intention of resolving political problems by peaceful means and bearing in
mind the basic and just interest of the Karen people as well as the
interest of the entire people of the country. In the talks, the KNU had
proposed for a cease-fire and resolution of political problems, that had
been the underlying causes of the civil war and instability through
dialogue. However the SLORC just heinously demanded the KNU to return to
the legal fold or, in other words, to submit to its fascist domination.
Without formally replying the KNU's request for the 5th round of talks,
the SLORC unilaterally abrogated the dialogue process and wickedly
launched a large-scale military offensive against the KNU and the karen
people. As usual, the SLORC troops perpetrate, daily, atrocities against
Karen civilians, such as arbitrary arrest, torture, execution, rape of
women, forced labour, burning down villages and etc.., at a higher rate,
in the offensive. Now, to crown their wanton acts, the SLORC leaders
publicly step underfoot the Karen national flag which is held in high
respect by the entire Karen people. Therefore, we, the KNU call upon the
entire Karen people:
(1) To resolutely oppose and fight until the annihilation of the SLORC
military dictatorship, bearing in mind the exhortation "for the
Karen people, surrender is out of the question, "made by our heroic
leader Saw Ba U Gyi;
(2) To unite absolutely, without discrimination as to dialects, religious
creeds, regions or ideological differences;
(3) To continue the struggle for freedom and democracy by joining hands
with all the anti-SLORC forces.
* Domination of the fascist SLORC must fall!
* The Just Resistance of the Karen People Shall triumph!
−Central Executive Committee.
Human Rights Violations Update,12/MAR.-Paan District. The
SLORC troops in the area issued and order that all the villages at the
foot of Dawna Mountain must be relocated to a designated place. If the
villagers were still seen in the villages or seen hiding in the jungle
after the dead line of 6th March, they would be shot to death. There is
not sufficient water for the villagers at the designated place let alone
food. Now these villagers are living under the trees exposed to the
elements. Their cattle, pigs and poultry are all appropriated by the SLORC
soldiers. The young girls are violated and then killed. These villagers
are in great fear and misery. Their situation is totally veiled from the
outside world.
When some KNU soldiers met a group of elderly women fleeing from the
SLORC soldiers, they wailed and related their sad experiences, "Isn't there
anyone to deliver us from our miserable life? It would be better for us to
die than go on living this kind of existence."The KNU soldiers could
accomplish very little for the security of these villagers because they are
greatly outnumbered.
Refugees at Kanchanaburi and Rattchaburi province,19/MAR.
-Kanchanburi Province. The situation of the refugees at Pu Muang is
still uncertain, fighting has broken out between SLORC forces and the KNLA
at the border, directly behind the camp. The distance is estimated to be
3-5 kms. Shelling can be heard from the camp.
The noise of shelling was heard by the delegation from the British
Embassy visiting the camp on Monday 17th.
There remains no further news regarding the fate of the adult males
in the camp who were reportedly told they could no longer stay in the camp
after Sunday 16th. A letter signed by all males (approximately 50) in the
camp has been circulated to concerned parties at the border.
-Ratchaburi Province, The fighting mentioned above makes the position
of the refugees encamped at the Htaw Ma Pyo Hto site increasingly untenable.
Border sources say that the refugees may well now be within range of SLORC
heavy weapons and mortars.
By late yesterday night the KNU administration had agreed to let the
refugees move closer to the borderline and prepare to enter Thailand. It
is believed that, as of this morning, a small number (600-700) have, in
fact, crossed over without incident. A member of the Dutch Embassy was
said to have been assured, within the last two days, by the 9th Division
in Kanchanaburi that the refugees at Htaw Ma Pyo Hta site could pass over
into Thailand if, and when, the fighting directly affected the camp area.
As of the time of this release it is not clear whether or not the 9th
Division have agreed to let all the refugees at this place enter Thailand.
An appeal has been made to the relief groups and the international
community to recognize the situation of these refugees and offer any
assistance possible.
KR-News,INDEX