January 2004

January 30 — Kachin Independence Organization, or KIO, reiterates that its policy to attend the junta’s National Convention does not change, according to the organization’s statement released after routine meeting held from January 19 to 28. KIO is the first organization which gave support to the implementation of seven-step road map announced by Burmese Prime Minister Gen Khin Nyunt.

January 28 — Kachin Independence Organization, or KIO, reshuffled some of the key positions within the organization yesterday, marking the first time of reorganizing the group’s leading post after January coup attempt. Two accused coup leaders Brig-Gen Hpau Yam Tsam Yan, Vice President of Kachin Independence Council, or KIC, and Col Lasang Awng Wa, intelligence chief, were purged.

Maj-Gen Gauri Zau Seng becomes Vice President of KIC, Dr. Tu Ja becomes KIO’s Vice Chairman II, Col Gunhtang Gam Shawng becomes Gen-Sec of KIO, Maj Sumlut Gun Maw becomes Acting General Secretary of KIO and Dr. La Ja becomes head of KIO’s Foreign Affairs and Alliance Department.

January 25 — Kachin youth leaders, who attended the meeting at Kachin Indepence Organization’s headquarters in early of January, have been under surveillance by KIO. Youth leaders might have been faced action from KIO soon.

January 23 — Leader of Kachin Defense Army, or KDA, Mahtu Naw met with Burmese Prime Minister Gen Khin Nyunt yesterday in Rangoon, discussing to give support to junta’s National Convention and seven-step road map.

January 22 — Kachin State National Congress for Democracy, or KNCD, based in Myitkyina urges Kachin Independence Organization to lead its people with good examples and practice a political trend which is supported by its people.

January 17 — Kachin Independence Organization, or KIO, accused that the grand strategy of Kachin National Organization, or KNO, based in US is trying to overthrow the whole KIO. The leader of KNO Bawmwang La Raw, who lives in United Kingdom, is accused of being a mastermind of the coup attempt at headquarters in early of January.

January 15 — Kachin Independence Organization, or KIO, yesterday purged Brig-Gen Hpau Yam Tsam Yan, Vice President of Kachin Independence Council, or KIC, and Col Lasang Awng Wa, KIO’s intelligence chief, and his aide Lt-Col Padip Gam Awng. All were accused of plotting the coup attempt in January.

January 15 — Kachin Independence Organization’s Gen-Sec Dr. Tu Ja denied the report that he asked Col Lasang Awng Wa to leave from headquarters, saying Lasang Awng Wa fled to China by his own decision. Col Lasang Awng Wa fled to China shortly before Kachin Independence Army chief of staff N’ban La and his army arrived at headquarters on January 7.

January 12 — Col Lasang Awng Wa, who fled to China after the coup attempt, said he would accept the KIO’s decision, according to his open letter sent to KIO leaders yesterday. He will come back to KIO headquarters only when the KIO’s announces an official clearance on him.

January 11 — Kachin Independence Army chief of staff Gen N’ban La, who took control the KIO headquarters, says that the situation is cooling off. KIO issued a warrant to Col Lasang Awng Wa, who fled to China, to come back within three days.

January 9 — An alleged coup attempt took place at the headquarters of Kachin Independence Organization, or KIO, on January 7, at the end of the meeting between some of KIO central committee members and about 30 Kachin elders and youth leaders. The meeting was guarded by the soldiers loyal to KIO intelligence chief Col Lasang Awng Wa, who later fled to China before Kachin Independence Army chief of staff Gen N’ban La and vice chief of staff Col Lazing Bawk arrived at the headquarters. Col Lasang Awng Wa fled to China to avoid infightings.

January 9 — Kachin Independence Organization by itself has no authority to decide the future of Kachin said in the statement “People’s Voice” released on December 28 last year. The statement is signed by Kachin elders, youths, University students, teachers and students from Kachin Theological College and Kachin politicians.

January 7 — An elected member of parliament from Kachin State National Congress for Democracy, or KNCD, party Duwa Lahpai Zau Ing decease today at Myitkyina General Hospital. Duwa Lahpai Zau Ing, 67, was elected as a member of parliament in Sumpra Bum Township in Kachin State. KNCD won three seats in 1990 Multi-Party General Election.

January 5 — Burma Army in Kachin State confiscated 70 of more than 100 logging trucks owned by Kachin Independence Organization’s Buga Co., and Jade Land Myanmar Co., Ltd. All logging trucks were arrested on last Christmas night. Burma Army’s northern commander Maj-Gen Maung Maung Swe said he will return the trucks only when he get the permission from Prime Minister Gen Khin Nyunt.