US embassy cable - 05RANGOON908

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000908 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV; PACOM FOR FPA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, PREL, PINS, BM, Ethnics 
SUBJECT: KNU LETTER TO SPDC APPEALS FOR PEACE 
 
REF: RANGOON 768 
 
Classified By: CDA, a.i. Karl E. Stoltz for Reasons 1.4 (b,d) 
 
1. (U) SUMMARY: The President of the Karen National Union 
(KNU) recently wrote a letter to SPDC Senior General Than 
Shwe proposing peace talks and a political, vice military, 
solution to their conflict.  The KNU views the 2004 
"gentlemen's agreement" cease-fire, brokered by KNU General 
Bo Mya and former PM Khin Nyunt, as an accord between the KNU 
and the SPDC, not between two individuals.  The letter 
disavows any KNU involvement in a recent robbery and the 
triple bombings in Rangoon in May.  END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (C) A June 30 "open" letter from KNU President Saw Ba Thin 
Sein to Senior General Than Shwe was recently made available 
to Emboffs.  Likely a response to issues raised by a 
mediation team that met in mid-June with KNU leaders 
(reftel), the letter refers to talks between former PM Khin 
Nyunt and KNU's General Bo Mya in January 2004 that concluded 
with a "gentlemen's" cease-fire agreement.  The KNU, 
according to the letter, considers that this agreement was 
between the SPDC and the KNU, not just between the two 
individuals, and urges the SPDC honor the arrangement. 
 
3. (U) The KNU letter refers to GOB allegations that the KNU 
was behind the armed robbery of a convoy near Ye in April and 
the May triple bombings in Rangoon, and states that such 
false accusations tarnish the reputation of the KNU and only 
serve to undermine peace efforts.  The KNU categorically 
rejects any involvement in these incidents. 
 
4. (U) The letter concludes by stating that over 50 years of 
war proves that differences between the ethnic groups and the 
GOB cannot be solved by war and require political solutions. 
Saw Ba Thin Sein then appeals to Than Shwe to declare a 
nationwide cease-fire; release all political prisoners, 
including Aung San Suu Kyi; and commence a tripartite 
dialogue among the regime, the democratic opposition, and the 
ethnics--as called for by the U.N. 
 
5. (C) COMMENT: Sources close to the KNU report that the GOB 
has increased its military presence near KNU-controlled areas 
recently.  Some skirmishes have occurred resulting in several 
casualties.  Ethnic Karen sources have admitted that they 
lack sufficient ammunition for a protracted conflict. 
Therefore, the KNU seems eager to strike the best cease-fire 
deal they can with the GOB and end their decades-old 
conflict.  END COMMENT. 
Stoltz