(14 Aug 1998) Burmese/Eng/Nat
Karen National Union (K-N-U) rebels held a ceremony on the Thai-Myanmar border to mark the 49th anniversary of the death of their former leader Sawba Auu Kyi.
This year also marks the 50th year of the Karen's conflict with the Myanmar government for an independent state of their own.
The present leader of the Karen National Union has said that the armed resistance would continue if the government does not negotiate with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The Karen National Union (K-N-U) marking the death anniversary, on the Thai-Myanmar border, of their former leader, Sawba Auu Kyi.
He was assassinated 49 years ago.
The K-N-U has been fighting for an autonomous state in Myanmar, formally known as Burma, since 1948 and has always blamed the ruling military (junta) for their leaders death.
The K-N-U stage much of their operation from just inside Myanmar's border or from the Thai side.
Thailand currently hosts over 100-thousand Karen refugees, who have fled due to forced labour, discrimination or military operations in Myanmar.
The Karen movement has lost ground recently due to less Thai help and a stronger government offensive.
They hope that the democracy movement, supported by the international community, could bring what years of fighting could not.
The leader of the K-N-U is also concerned for the safety of pro-democracy leader and winner of the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize, Aung San Suu Kyi.
She was blocked by Myanmar's ruling military junta on Wednesday in her fourth attempt in two months to travel outside the capital, to meet members of her political party, the National League for Democracy.
The junta claimed her journey was "unsafe."
But Bo Mia said the junta's action is unacceptable.
SOUNDBITE: (Burmese)
"The State Peace and Development Council (S-P-D-C) has not been fair to Aung San Suu Kyi. She is good for the country. If the S-P-D-C does not meet her demands and continues their practices then we will keep fighting them."
SUPER CAPTION: Bo Mia, Leader, Karen National Union
The State Peace and Development Council replaced the State Law and Order Restoration council in November 1997.
The restructuring was an attempt by Myanmar's top generals to reinforce their position at the centre of the country's military government.
But the hope for change in the State Peace and Development Council (S-P-D-C) seems slim.
So the K-N-U says it will keep training young villagers to continue the battle.
Rebel leaders and their followers say they will cling to the dream that one day there will be an independent Karen state moulded from Myanmar soil.
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