KIO to abstain from referendum

April 9,Mizzima News hta lawm wa ai KIO Du Kaba Gun Maw hte Mizzima ni a sanhtai hpe post galaw dat ai.

Interview with Major Gun Maw (KIO)

Solomon
Mizzima News
April 9, 2008

The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), one of Burma's longest running insurgent groups and currently party to a ceasefire pact with the ruling junta, said it will abstain from the upcoming referendum.

Major Gun Maw, a spokesperson for the KIO, said their group has patiently joined the ruling junta in its long and winding National Convention process and have put forward their demands, which clearly state the aspirations of the Kachin people and its armed group.

Yet the junta has so far failed to respond to the KIO's proposals and with the junta planning to conduct a referendum on a draft constitution this May, it has become clear that the junta wishes to sideline the KIO's requests.

However, in an exclusive interview, Gun Maw said the KIO will continue to seek dialogue over its proposals.

Mizzima: What is the Kachin Independent Organization's stand on the upcoming referendum in May?

Maj. Gun Maw: We have submitted all our demands, including a 19-point proposal, at the National Convention and also outside of meetings. But the new constitution, formulated from the National Convention, has not included our demands. So we have nothing to say in support or opposition to this upcoming referendum. Another thing is that the referendum is only for the public but not for the armed groups who are fighting for their own independence and rights.

However, whether the KIO supports the referendum or not, the military junta is determined to continue with its plans to conduct the referendum. We will need to continue discussions with the junta or with the new government, even if the constitution has been finalized.

So, all KIO members and their families should keep quiet on the upcoming referendum. But for the public I think it is better to vote because it is their duty to express what they want.

Mizzima: What are the main objectives of the KIO?

Maj. Gun Maw: Since the KIO was formed, our main objectives are to fight for the rights and freedom of our people as well as independence. We stand by our objectives to this day.

Mizzima: What will be the KIO's response if the junta pressures it to abandon its armed struggle?

Maj. Gun Maw: This is all very much uncertain, and people predicting this are basing such predictions on guess work. So it is very difficult to say that something like that will happen. What we care about is that the junta has agreed with us not to do anything by force at this stage. And we are sure that we will always retain our arms. It is impossible to surrender our arms.

Mizzima: Do you think the KIO still represents the Kachin people?

Maj. Gun Maw: We have never thought like this. I don't want to say we represent the people, but it is just something like that. People who are acting for others and not for themselves can say they represent others, and the KIO is in such a position. Whether we represent our Kachin people or not, we are demanding from the junta what the Kachin people want.

Mizzima: What do you think the results are of the KIO ceasefire agreement with the Burmese junta?

Maj. Gun Maw: Personally, I think a lot of positive things happened after the ceasefire agreement with the junta. Before the ceasefire, when we were engaging in battles until 1994, we saw a lot of negative things in our people and places, not to mention the many deaths. But after the ceasefire we could do a lot of good things for our people, except in politics.

On the other hand, within ten years of the ceasefire we have only wasted our time discussing with the junta some agreements and the building of trust between the junta and us. We rebuilt our places and established trust between both sides over those years. Only after ten years could we move and rethink politics. But in the meantime, we also have to see to the growth of our organization because if we are not strong how can we achieve our objectives? But our primary objectives remain unchanged, that is that the Kachin people enjoy their rights and freedom, which is the foundation on which the KIO started its revolution.

Mizzima: What does the KIO plan to do with the 19-point demand that it had put forward during the last session of the National Convention?

Maj. Gun Maw: We will be discussing our demands with the military junta or with whoever comprises the new government. The junta's draft constitution has failed to address our proposals. We have submitted the 19-point proposal to the National Convention for future discussion.

Mizzima: What kind of response did you get from the government on the KIO's 19-point proposal?

Maj. Gun Maw: As yet there hasn't been any response from the government on our 19-point proposal. The only clear message we have received from their silence is that they have not accepted the proposals. That is why I said this needs further discussion later with whosoever comprises the ruling government.

Mizzima: What kind of plans has the KIO in mind for the future?

Maj. Gun Maw: We cannot clearly predict what we will be doing in the future as we have to act according to the prevailing situation. But since our former leader (deceased) Brang Seng's time, we have principally agreed to join the National Convention, even before the Burmese government announced any plans to hold a National Convention. And we have decided to attend until the end. But that should not necessarily be translated as our supporting whatever the junta does in the convention.

From the KIO's side, we believe that we should observe the entire process because we are fighting for our independence. If we stayed on the outside there may be a lot of speculation and it could be confusing for people to judge the KIO's objectives through our activities.

Mizzima: There have been rumors that the KIO will not vote in the upcoming referendum. What about its members and other Kachin people?

Maj. Gun Maw: We have told people who are not members of the KIO and their family members to think carefully and cast their votes. It means giving them a guideline on what they should vote for since some people have asked us to give advice on what they should do. But the KIO, its members and their family members will not take part in the event.

Mizzima: How will the KIO respond if the junta increases pressure on the group because of its abstention in the upcoming referendum?

Maj. Gun Maw: We need to carefully see how the government will pressure us. For example if they will start arresting our family members then we need to protect them. We cannot allow them to use us. We have already formed an observation team to monitor and observe the referendum and its process. But I don't think the government will use any pressure on us for not voting, because voting is not compulsory. They will want to count the results based on the number of votes, and would not consider abstentions If four out of five voters support the constitution they would simply claim that they had won. The government does not care about who is casting a vote or not.

Mizzima: There have been rumors that the KIO is planning to transform itself in order to contest the 2010 general election. Can you comment on this?

Maj. Gun Maw: The rumors are not true. It is completely wrong information. So far we have never thought about it. But one day, if it is required for our people according to the political situation, then the KIO might support the formation of a new political party or a political group. But KIO members will not be involved in it. If KIO members want to participate in political parties, they should first quit the group. It is free for everyone to participate in political parties but not while being a member of the KIO.

Mizzima: Can you tell us more about the rumor that spread last year that the KIO is thinking of altering its name?

Maj. Gun Maw: Yes, we had discussions on that topic last year, but we all agreed not to change the name from KIO. We held the discussions because we feel we should be flexible depending on the political situation. But it does not mean that we will abandon our policies. There were a lot rumors and speculation that we might surrender if we altered our name.