Few people are aware that there are 14 ethnic and other armed resistance groups in Burma of various sizes, with over 18,000 members operating along or close to the 2012-kilometer border with Thailand.
MAXMILIAN WECHSLER was recently able to gain access to ranking officers and leaders of six of these groups to find out their reactions and opinions on the general elections, the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, the armed struggle, their aims and future plans.
Ko Than Khe: Keep up the pressure
Ko Than Khe, Chairperson of the All Burma Student’s Democratic Front (ABSDF) outlined the strategy of his group by saying: “To achieve the federal democratic union in Burma, we need to change the current military rule through [nonviolent] pressures including the people power movement, in combination with the armed struggle. This does not mean that the ABSDF is against the so-called national reconciliation. National reconciliation has been urged for two decades by the opposition and the international community, including the UN. But it has not worked and it is not likely to come to the surface in Burma as long as the SPDC [State Peace and Development Council] clings to the 7-Step Road Map.”
ABSDF
Touching on the subject of the general election, he said: “It is a part of the Road Map to glorify the military rule through this sham election and form a military dominated parliament based on the 2008 constitution. So, it is just to show legitimacy inside and outside the country. It defies the 1990 election result and the role of the political parties, including the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung San Suu Kyi.
“Her release, in my personal and political point of view, is a cause for hope, and she has called for unity, and for all to work for the country. But she already confessed that the national reconciliation cannot come about by her efforts and those of the NLD alone. Everyone needs to participate and work to achieve the goal.
“Do I expect changes in Burma after her release? Obviously, it is a very significant and strident motivation for all, especially the Burmese people, to see her release. Meanwhile, nearly all political factions, including ethnic leaders and some political parties participating in the 2010 election, are ready to support her works.
“We don’t have any contact with her or the NLD. There is no need to have direct contact in the 21st century IT era. But we can expect that mutual understanding on our different positions already exist, as we have all been struggling for more than two decades for the common objectives of liberating the people of Burma from this tyrannical military dictatorship, restoring democracy and human rights, resuming internal peace in the country and establishing a federal system in the future.’’
When asked if the ABSDF will continue the armed struggle, Ko Than Khe replied: “Yes, we will. Dialogue is a means to solve the political problems on the table, but as long as the military leaders continue to hold to this 7-Step Road Map, we cannot expect to get a dialogue. Hence, we need pressure, pressure, including an armed resistance movement.
“In this regard, first, we need to be clear about the realities, what the country is facing. Everyone except the military leaders is suffering under this system. Beyond the politics, we have to talk about many issues, such as the economy, social programs, education, health, etc. Even though Aung San Suu Kyi has been released, her freedom is very limited, as everybody knows.
“We have not seen any positive sign from the military leaders that they are willing to talk about political issues such as the 1990 election result, the legality of the NLD, the more than 2000 political prisoners, on-going armed conflicts and tensions mounting among the ethnic ceasefire groups.’’
As for cooperation with other groups along the border and inside Burma, Ko Than Khe said: “If we look back on the ABSDF’s political history, we were born amidst the 8888 [Aug 8, 1988] democratic uprisings and have grown up in the ethnic areas. Hence, the ABSDF has already established mutual relationships and cooperation with major armed resistance groups. For 20 years already in these liberated areas, we have sacrificed our lives — more than a thousand ABSDF members. One day, the ABSDF will contribute to national reconciliation and the establishment of federalism in the country.
“We all have different political backgrounds. We have all been struggling to achieve this liberation and we need to recognize everyone’s efforts. And we still believe that without political solutions, ceasefires alone cannot work out or handle the grievances of the armed resistance movements.”
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