Karen Faction Sign Peace Deal with Burma Govt

Karen Faction Sign Peace Deal with Burma Govt
SAW YAN NAING , THE IRRAWADDY, Tuesday, December 13, 2011

An ethnic Karen rebel faction group headed by Brig-Gen Saw Lah Pwe, who formerly led the renegade Brigade 5 of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), has signed a six-point peace agreement with the Burmese government, state-run media reported on Monday.

The agreement was signed after preliminary coordination talks were held at a central level on Sunday in Pa-an, the capital of Karen State, attended by a government delegation led by Aung Thaung, and representatives of the Kaloh Htoo Baw, which was founded by Brig-Gen Saw Lah Pwe in Sept. 2011.

The Karen delegation agreed to several main points, namely: that the ethnic militia will cooperate with the government in projects of regional development; that members of the Kaloh Htoo Baw and their families will be entitled to rehabilitation; and that both parties will work together to improve the socio-economic status of people in the town of Sukali.

As part of the agreement, the Karen rebels are to open a temporary office in Sone Seen Myaing region in Myawaddy Township.

The Kaloh Htoo Baw also agreed to cooperate with the government in fighting against narcotics and psychotropic substances, and to continue dialogue aimed at establishing an eternal peace.

The Kaloh Htoo Baw has also agreed not to support the secession of Karen State from the union, and to uphold the constitutional policy of “non-disintegration of the nation, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty forever.”

The Karen militia, previously DKBA's Brigade 5, has an estimated 1,500 troops, and split from the DKBA last year. Soon after, it waged an intense armed conflict against government forces following an attempt by Naypyidaw to persuade the DKBA to join its Border Guard Force (BGF).

On Nov. 7, Brigade 5 temporarily took control of several government buildings in the town of Myawaddy on the Thai border. The ensuing fighting forced more than 20,000 people to flee to Thailand.

The renewed hostilities between Brigade 5 and government troops broke a 15-year-old ceasefire agreement between the DKBA and Burma’s previous military regime.

The DKBA, with the exception of Brigade 5, previously agreed to join the BGF. However, despite agreeing a ceasefire, Brigade 5 has no longer been invited to join ranks with government forces.

Karen Faction Sign Peace Deal with Burma Govt