Dear All,

As you are aware, the military junta in Burma is forcing ethnic ceasefire groups to transfer their troops under the control of it in the name of “Border Guard Forces” before it calls for the election in 2010. The junta is forcing them to participate in the election by forming political parties. However, almost all of ceasefire groups refuse to do so. They know that if they don’t have armed troops, they would be mistreated by the junta and their demands for ethnic rights and autonomy will never be realized.

Therefore, tension between the junta and these ceasefire groups are extremely high and military confrontation between them are appearing frequently. The junta is also sending thousands of troops in the region to strengthen its forces and preparation for war and at the same time, trying to create factions among the groups to weaken and topple ethnic leaders, who challenge their instruction.

Today, some members of MNDAA (Kokang group led by Phon Kyar Shin) tried to stage a coup at MNDAA Headquarters, but, the attempt of the defectors was not successful. Many defectors are arrested or fled. Kokang’s leadership called its alliance to reinforce its troops for possible attack while thousands of the junta’s troops are taking position in the region. Chinese government also sent thousands of troops to the border to increase security and prevent entering of refugees from Burma.

Meanwhile, the “Myanmar Peace and Democracy Front”, a military alliance of four ethnic ceasefire groups operating in Shan State and Kachin State, bordering with China, issued a statement, denouncing the junta for its military threat and pressure against ethnic minorities and calling it to solve the problems by means of dialogue.

Best regards,

Aung Din
Executive Director

U.S. Campaign for Burma
1444 N Street, NW, #A2
Washington 20005
Tel: (202) 234 8022
Fax: (202) 234 8044
Cell: (301) 602 0077
aungdin@uscampaignforburma.org
www.uscampaignforburma.org
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Unofficial Translation by Aung Din, U.S. Campaign for Burma

Announcement Regarding the August 8 Incident in Kokang Region

August 21, 2009

There was a military confrontation between the government’s troops and Kokang’s ceasefire group (Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army) in Kokang region on August 8, 2009, due to the military threat and instigation by the government with the reason of anti-narcotic action. That incident causes the entire region and border area shock and frustration. Kokang group (MNDAA) managed to control the situation by settling it with tolerance. As this incident effectively shadows and darkens the relations between ethnic minorities, ethnic ceasefire groups and the government, we, Myanmar Peace and Democracy Front (MPDF), issued an announcement as follows.

(1) MPDF supports the action and position taken by the MNDAA, who run the Special Region No 1, Shan State (North), about the (8.8) incident.

(2) MPDF supports the campaign to eradicate illicit drugs and related actions. However, we oppose any violent act and pressure against ethnic minorities and ceasefire groups, in the name of the anti-narcotic campaign.

(3) It is a legitimate and lawful action that ethnic ceasefire groups, who all are officially recognized by the government, have built and maintained a factory to repair our old weapons.

(4) Members of MPDF will never secede and announce independence and are committed to continue to move forward on the path of peaceful development. We all support the current government before a new government, elected by the people, is formed. When there is a government elected by the people, we will support the leadership of that government. We will continue to try for the lasting peace and stability of the country. The fruits of success yielded during the 20-year of peace are not the one we achieved easily. Anyone who wants to destroy these results and peace will be the “accused of the history”. Members of MPDF will consistently and strongly defend any action that will destroy peace.

(5) As members of MPDG are situated on China-Burma border, we will carry on doing our best to achieve development and stability of the border area.

(6) It is a normal issue that there are dispute and different opinions between us, ethnic minorities and the government, while trying to achieve peace and democracy in Burma. Base on equality and mutual respect, we have to solve the problems and disputes left by our history by means of dialogue. Therefore, we encourage (the government) to work together for the peaceful development in Burma by building a mutual trust and negotiating to reach common opinion.

Myanmar Peace and Democracy Front

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Note of the translator:

1. The government = The State Peace and Development Council, the ruling military junta
2. “Myanmar Peace and Development Front” is formed since March 2009, but officially announced in August 2009, after the Kokang (8.8) incident. Its members are (1) the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), based in Kachin State and Northern Shan State, (2) National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), also known as Mongla group based in Eastern Shan State, (3) Kokang group, known as Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) based in Kokang Region, Shan State, and (4) the United Wa State Party (UWSP), based in Eastern Shan State. These areas are on the Sino-Burma border.

3. The “Kokang (8.8)” incident is referred to the military regime’s attempt to raid the house of Kokang leader Phon Kyar Shin (Chairman of MNDAA) on August 8, 2009, with the reason to search illicit drugs. About 70 regime troops entered the Kokang area and marched towards the house of Phon Kyar Shin. Phon Kyar Shin ordered his troops, about 300, to block the road towards his house and other troops encircled the regime troops. Phon told the regime soldiers that they could enter and search his house, but they had to put down their weapons at the gate. After heated argument between both sides, the regime’s troops withdrew. But, since then, tension is extremely high between the ethnic ceasefire groups along the Sino-Burma border and the Burmese military junta. With anticipation of resurgence of war, tens of thousands of ethnic people have fled to the border.

4. The Myanmar Peace and Development Front is directly translated by the translator from its Burmese name. Their actual name in English may differ.

Aug 24, 2009