Military

DATE=02/23/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT (L)

NUMBER=2-313371

TITLE=BURMA/KAREN TALKS

BYLINE=RON CORBEN

DATELINE=BANGKOK

CONTENT=

INTRO: Representatives of Burma's largest ethnic minority, the Karen, have started a second round of talks with the military government on reaching a formal ceasefire. But as Ron Corben reports from Bangkok, analysts expect the Karen to remain cautious despite the government's hope of including them in a national constitutional convention later this year.

TEXT: The talks between the Karen leaders and the military government began Monday in the southern Burmese town of Moulmein.

This is the first meeting since leaders from the Karen National Union - K-N-U - and the government reached what they call a "gentlemen's agreement" last December on a ceasefire. Despite that agreement, military skirmishes have continued in recent months.

K-N-U leaders say they want to cement the December agreement into a written ceasefire, to formally end government military operations in Karen areas. The Karen live mainly along the eastern border with Thailand.

Thailand has also been pressing for an agreement between Rangoon and the K-N-U, to return as many as 140 thousand Karen in Thai refugee camps to Burma.

Aung Zaw is the editor of a Burmese newspaper, The Irrawaddy, published in Thailand. He says a quick agreement is unlikely, especially on issues of territorial control.

/// AUNG ZAW ACT ///

I think it will take time. I don't think a lot of K-N-U leaders, they don't want to rush into making a hasty decision. I think they will take time.

/// END ACT ///

Burma's government is encouraging the K-N-U and other groups to participate in the national convention, as part of a seven-point road map to democracy the government put forward last year. The convention is to draft a new constitution as a precursor to general elections.

It is not clear all the Karen support the ceasefire effort.

Aung Zaw says he believes the government is willing to accept K-N-U representatives, even if there are still internal disagreements in the group.

/// AUNG ZAW ACT 2 ///

Even if (the) K-N-U is split and separated because of the disagreement over ceasefire I think Rangoon is willing to accommodate and entertain any faction that will be divided from the mainstream K-N-U.

/// END ACT ///

The K-N-U is the last of the major ethnic minority guerilla groups in Burma still fighting the government. The conflict to establish a separate Karen state has run for more than 50 years.

/// REST OPT ///

But the K-N-U suffered major setbacks in 1995 and again in 1997 when Burma's military overran its headquarters following divisions within the K-N-U ranks. The government has reached ceasefire agreements with 17 other armed groups since 1989. (SIGNED)

NEB/HK/RC/KA/KPD