[Myanmar] Su Kyi Offer Assistance To Kio

KIA Chief of Staff Lt. General Gum ShawngLaiza – Pro-democracy icon and newly elected MP for Kawhmu township, Aung San Suu Kyi appealed to the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) not to cause unrest during the parliamentary by-elections, according to an officer from the office of General Gun Maw on Friday.Khun Thar Myint said prior to the by-elections, Suu Kyi contacted KIO with an offer to mediate between KIO and the government in peace negotiations.  She also offered to bring support from US and European countries if KIO promised not to rely on China.  She hinted that should her party, The National League for Democracy (NLD) come into power, she would work towards a Federal Union according to the wishes of ethnic minorities.Although the KIO Chairman Lanyaw Zawng Hra and Vice Chief of Staff of Kachin Independence Army (KIA), General Gun Maw welcomed Su Kyi’s offers and overtures, KIA Chief of Staff, Lt. General Gam Shwang angrily rejected them.  During a meeting with officials from Chinese Intelligence Services in Munsi on 10th April, General Gam Shwang disclosed that the United States has been offering assistance, in the form of both civilian and military aid, to KIO through Su Kyi.KIA Vice Chief of Staff General Gun MawGeneral Gam Shwang, well known for his straight talking and no-nonsense attitude, ferociously accused Su Kyi of trying to assert her authority over Kachin people.  He claimed that Suu Kyi is using offers of American aids and dragging the peace agreement between KIO and government for political manoeuvring.   General Gam Shwang said there has been serious disagreement amongst KIO and KIA leadership regarding Su Kyi’s offers.  He said he has ordered KIA to step up military operations as the success  in military operations can only guarantee the leverage during political  negotiations with the government.During a meeting with Kachin community leaders in Munsi, General Gam Shwang said the Chinese government would not accept Su Kyi and the Americans meddling in Kachin issues. He admitted that while he admires Suu Kyi personally, he does not want her interference in issues concerning the Kachin people and although there have been serious setbacks in military operations; KIA shall continue to fight for its own destiny and survival.Suu Kyi recently met with a delegation of Karen National Union (KNU) leaders and made similar offers to them.  She offers assistance from US and European countries as well as both civilian and military aid to KNU and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), according to Naw Zipporah Sein, general secretary of the KNU.

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