BANGKOK, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- A rift appears to have developed within the armed ranks of the Karen National Union over peace talks with Myanmar's military junta.
The Bangkok Post reported earlier this week that the KNU's 7th Brigade leader, Maj. Gen. Htay Muang, held peace talks with the government on Jan. 3 without permission or coordination with the KNU's central committee. As a result of discussions, Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) military leaders agreed to withdraw forces from non-strategic areas in the Karen region, but would keep forces in other areas.
"... The 7th Brigade delegation acted purely on its own accord and did not represent the KNU's central committee, a KNU officer was quoted as saying. "It appears that the Burmese are plotting to divide and rule us. I don't believe they would really pull out."
The KNU central committee has since formally condemned the meeting and accord as contrary to its interests.
The KNU has waged a separatist war against the government in Rangoon for more than 40 years.
In 2004 KNU leader Gen. Bo Mya opened a dialogue with then Myanmar Prime Minister Gen. Khin Nyunt, Nyunt, however, is now in prison on corruption charges. And Gen. Bo Mya died in December.
The KNU accused those Karens taking part in the unauthorized talks as attempting to enhance their privatge business interests along the border with neighboring Thailand, where smuggling goods is big business.
The KNU is one of the last ethnic-based military groups fighting the central government, the report said.
