December 2004

December 28 — Kachin in Chiang Mai, Thailand are to celebrate an inaugural ceremony of new Wunpawng Christian Church on December 31. The church was constructed with the donation of Kachin in Thailand and Bawmwang La Raw, a Kachin tycoon who live in England.

December 27 — Leader of a Kachin ceasefire group New Democratic Army-Kachin, NDA-K, has been summoned to Burma’s capital Rangoon for security reason, said a Kachin Independence Organization officer.

Maj Sumlut Gun Maw, deputy secretary of KIO, said NDA-K leader Zahkung Ting Ying was summoned by the Gen Thura Shwe Mahn of Burma Army in last week. Ting Ying was escaped from bomb explosion in early of December. NDA-K accused that KIO is responsible for plotting the bomb at 12 miles east of Kachin State capital Myitkyina.

December 22 — New Democratic Army-Kachin, NDA-K, has denied a proposal form Kachin Independence Organization, KIO, to jointly investigate on December 10 th bomb explosion, which is believed to have been assassinated to NDA-K leader Zahkung Ting Ying.

“NDA-K didn’t accept jointly investigation by two groups [KIO and NDA-K],” said in the KIO statement released on December 17. Ting Ying had narrowly escaped from bomb explosion near Washawng Village, 12 miles (19 kilometer) east of Kachin State capital Myitkyina.

December 10 — Leader of a Kachin ceasefire group, New Democratic Army-Kachin, Zahkung Ting Ying’s vehicle was under attacked this morning, according to NDA-K and Kachin Independence Army, KIA.

Zahkung Ting Ying was narrowly escaped from bomb explosion while he was traveling to Myitkyina from its headquarter Pang Wa. His Toyota Land Crusier car was hit by the bomb and his driver was reportedly injured at a bridge near Washawng village, 12 miles (19 kilometer) east of Kachin State capital Myitkyina, said a KIA officer. Zahkung Ting Ying was escaped from explosion because he was shrewdly traveling in the next car.

December 07 — Meeting between Kachin Independence Organization, KIO, and its splinter groups has been pending after holding an hour discussion yesterday, according to KIO.

Dr. Tu Ja, KIO vice chairman II, said KIO is urging Col. Lasang Awng Wa to come and will send an invitation letter to him. “I would like Lasang Awng Wa to come,” said Dr. Tu Ja. “We don’t see any satisfactory solution would reach without Lasang Awng Wa.”

December 07 — Mahtu Naw, leader of a ceasefire group Kachin Defense Army based in northern Shan State, said his organization will cooperate with the government in the political drive initiated by State, when he met with junta’s secretary I Lt-Gen Thein Sein in Lashio on December 5.

December 06 — Col Lasang Awng Wa, leader of Kachin Independence Organization’s splinter group, has cancelled his trip to attend a meeting in Laiza today, giving a reason that he is in serious health condition, said a KIO officer.

Only 9 members, including Lt-Col Padip Gam Awng, of Lasang Awng Wa group present today’s meeting where almost all of KIO central committee members are ready to finalize the split within KIO. Previously, today meeting would be the last meeting to patch up KIO split by welcoming splinter members and giving them to appropriate positions.

December 03 — Kachin Baptist Convention plans to hold 75th anniversary of founding Kachin Theological College in 2007, earmarking the budget of 120 million kyat (US $127,000) to build a Jubilee hall and 30 million kyat (US $31,000) for ceremony.

December 01 — Kachin Independence Organization, KIO, plans to hold a meeting on next Monday to discuss for detailed procedure of welcoming the splinter group led by Col Lasang Awng Wa. The meeting will also focus on proposed policy and strategy of Lasang Awng Wa group.