For Immediate Release

12 May 2009

Our voice and our rejection to SPDC’s intention of transforming Kachin ceasefire forces to border guards

All Kachins across the globe are united in taking a firm stance of absolute rejection to the SPDC’s claim of transitioning Kachin revolutionary forces into national border guards.  We urge all Kachin armed groups to join hands with the general public to revolt against SPDC’s instruction.

The sole purpose of cease-fire agreement is to obtain political resolution by holding meaningful dialogs and developing political negotiations.  Therefore, Kachin armed groups attended SPDC national convention in 2004 and 2007.  Though Kachin cease-fire groups submitted proposal for our basic rights at both occasions, SPDC blatantly excluded their requests in draft constitution. Yet forcing all to submit to a ‘Yes’ vote to the constitution in May 2008 nationwide referendum.

Kachin political groups actively participated in prolonged political talks without any reservations for the well-beings of our people and our peaceful future. Giving many years a chance to rebuild national reconciliation, Burmese military junta misused its chances and build its military capability to oppress our people.  Moreover, the military junta not only failed to take us closer to a more ‘genuine’ Union, it is now forcibly converting cease-fire groups to border forces, and exterminating Kachin nationals off of Burma’s demography.

As a result, Kachins living all over the world are demanding the following:

1. Kachin groups should continue to live by the principle that negotiations in regards to bearing arms will be only be held when we achieve genuine democracy.  Until then, we must object SPDC’s proposal of force conversion to border guards.

2. All Kachin cease-fire groups should hold discussion amongst themselves to collude, collaborate, or work together and make decisions ‘for’ the people.

3. Since transitioning of Kachin forces to border patrol guards is tremendously detrimental to the survival of our race, executive council members should find common grounds to obtain resolution to current crisis.

4. All Kachin cease-fire groups should meet and discuss with other ethnic cease-fire groups to create one voice in our condemnation against SPDC’s proposal.

5. We demand Kachin ceasefire groups to refrain from participating in 2010 regime’s election.

6. In future, dissidents should be invited in discussion of matter of our national interests.

For our struggle is just and our cause is right, we must not falter but fight courageously for freedom of our people.

For further information or to arrange interviews please contact;

AKSYU            : Mr. Naw Kham N’Paw             Mobile: +66 84 6133 702

KNO                : Mr.Goon Tawng Lashi             Mobile: +44 759 5763340

KTG                 : Mr. Ba Aung                            Mobile: +1 4156720770

KNCD-LA        : Mr. Hkunsa Mahkaw                Mobile: +66 833234716

PKCS              : Mr. Zau Aung Marip                 Mobile: +1 347 425 3421

1.      All Kachin Students and Youth Union (AKSYU)

2.      Kachin Today Group (KTG-U.S.A)

3.      Kachin National Organization (KNO)

4.      Kachin State National Congress for Democracy (KNCD-LA)

5.      Progressive Kachin Christian Solidarity (PKCS)