Kachin Leaders Will Attend National Convention

By Naw Seng/ The Irrawaddy

November17, 2003—Leaders from the two ceasefire groups in Kachin State have decided to attend the National Convention, and say it will be held early next year.

The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and the New Democratic Army-Kachin (NDA-K), which both signed ceasefire agreements with the military government, chose their delegates for the National Convention last week. Five delegates, including the top leaders, each from both groups are ready to attend.

The National Convention, which is given a mandate to draft Burma’s new constitution, was convened in 1993. It was adjourned in early 1996 after delegates from the National League for Democracy (NLD) party walked out.

Reconvening the National Convention is the first step in the junta’s road map for a democratic Burma, which Prime Minister Gen Khin Nyunt announced at the end of August. Leaders from both Kachin groups stated that the military government told them the convention would begin its work in early 2004 but did not offer an exact date.

Both Kachin groups demanded that Gen Khin Nyunt order the Burma Army to cease operations against armed ethnic groups during the National Convention period.

"We want the groups which are not ceasefire groups to participate in the National Convention," said Mukyin Dau Hawng, an NDA-K liaison officer in Myitkyina.

Zahkung Ting Ying, leader of the NDA-K, said he wants the military government to implement the National Convention that so that all groups in Burma can be participated in it.

Aung San Suu Kyi and her NLD party have an important role to play in the National Convention, said Mukyin Dau Hawng.

The convention will happen with or without the NLD, said Zahkung Ting Ying, "because the military has power."

The groups also demanded a general amnesty for all political prisoners.
Leaders from the NDA-K said they hope the ten delegates from both groups will represent all Kachin people at the convention.

The NDA-K signed a ceasefire with the ruling junta in 1989. The KIO ceased hostilities in 1994.