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| KIA soldiers gather around the body of a comrade killed in fighting with Burmese government troops. (Photo: KIA) |
The KIA's vice chief-of-staff, Brig-Gen Sumlut Gun Maw, told The Irrawaddy on Thursday: “Kachin troops under KIA Brigade 4 in northern Shan State captured six [government] soldiers, including one officer, during today's skirmish.”
“Regarding the letter to Beijing, I want to say that we attempted to achieve peace with the government bilaterally. However, it achieved no solid result, even after a 16-year ceasefire, so this time we want [Beijing] to be involved in the peace process as a mediator. That's why we sent the letter two days ago,” he said.
The KIA official said that conflicts in Kachin State could create greater instability in northern Burma unless the regime in Naypyidaw commits itself to finding a peaceful resolution. He added that unity among ethnic armed groups along the Sino-Burmese border has strengthened since government troops attacked last week.
“Since June 9, fighting between the KIA and [government troops] has been ongoing. We have talked with other ethnic groups and have an agreement,” said Sumlut Gun Maw. “We don’t want the war to become bigger, but if we have no alternative, we will do what we have to to defend ourselves.”
“We will defend our land using guerrilla warfare tactics until the very end,” he added.
He said that since the government army’s “strategic attack” against Kachin troops near Ta Ping Hydropower sites in Momauk, Bhamo District, the KIA has discussed military cooperation with five other ethnic armed groups allied with them. However, he declined to provide further details about the alliance agreement during the ongoing conflict.
Commenting on the government army’s operation plan against the KIA on June 9, he said the area is in a strategic location militarily and geographically, since it is just 30 miles from the Chinese border.
“Their plan is to carry out a big offensive against the KIA under the pretext of providing 'dam security'. Their plan is to totally destroy our troops,” said Sumlut Gun Maw.
According to the Kachin commander, the conflict could escalate, as there are estimated to be at least six government army battalions around the conflict area near the hydropower site and more reinforcements from other light infantry divisions are reported to be on their way.
“We have good relations with the Chinese authorities and Chinese companies. Why do they need to call for further security?” asked Sumlut Gun Maw.
Asked if Kachin and Chinese officials have discussed the recent conflict, Sumlut Gun Maw said that there have been no official talks yet, although KIA leaders have reported the situation to their Chinese counterparts.
Concerning reports that the Burmese air force has sent combat planes to Myitkyina, the Kachin State capital, and rumors that the defense forces of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) have been ordered to shoot down any aircraft that crosses into Chinese air space, Sumlut Gun Maw said: “Some local PLA commanders might say something like that, but I'm not sure about the commander in Beijing.”
Another likely concern of Beijing is the safety of Chinese nationals living in Kachin State. There are believed to be several hundred thousand Chinese businessmen, workers and technicians in the state, which has attracted growing numbers of investors from China in recent years.
“Regarding the security of Chinese citizens, if instability occurs, it could affect everyone. But I have ordered KIA troops to be concerned about the safety of Chinese citizens,” said Sumlut Gun Maw.
On Thursday, Chinese authorities made their first public statement on the Kachin conflict.
“We are paying attention to the situation in Myanmar [Burma] near the border area. We urge the two parties to exercise restraint and prevent the escalation of the situation, and resolve the relevant disputes through peaceful negotiations,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a news conference in Beijing.
Hong said China was giving humanitarian help to residents from Burma who had fled, but he gave no details on their number or condition.
So far, it appears that most civilians fleeing the conflict have remained inside Burma, although that could change, according to the KIO's joint-secretary, La Nan.
“Our statistics show that more than 10,000 refugees have come here to flee the fighting.
Some could cross into China,” he said, speaking to The Irrawaddy from the KIO's headquarters in Laiza on Thursday.
Residents of Myitkyina have also been uneasy, amid rumors that fighting could spread to the town.
“People here are worried that there could be fighting here,” said Soe, a student in her early 20s who lives in Myitkyina. “I hope the situation will be resolved peacefully.”
As of Thursday, Burmese state-run media have been silent on the conflict. Journalists for privately owned publications based in Rangoon have also not begun to report on the situation in Kachin State.
Source:http://irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=21505
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