Junta summon KIO leaders
The Kachin Post / June 13, 2009

Top leaders of Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) were summoned by Burmese military junta for a meeting in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State, said sources closed to KIO.

KIO Chairman Lanyaw Zawng Hkra and vice president-1 Gauri Zau Seng left for Myitkyina yesterday from their headquarters, Laiza. The meeting with junta representatives is supposedly held on today, said KIO source.

The newly-appointed Kachin Independence Army vice-chief-of-staff Brig-Gen Sumlut Gun Maw and a former Kachin peace broker Rev. Saboi Jum also join for the meeting.

The meeting would mainly be discussed for the issue of transforming KIA into Border Guard Force under Burma Army, said the source. The chief-of-staff of KIA Maj-Gen Gunhtang Gam Shawng has cancelled to attend the meeting, even though Burmese junta cordially invited him to join the meeting.

Most of the KIO leaders have reportedly expressed that the transformation of KIA into Border Guard Force under Burma Army should be implemented after the formation of the new government through election. However, KIO intends to maintain dialogue with Burmese junta.

Early of June 2009, KIO formed a seven-member delegation committee. The committee comprises Lt-Gen. Gauri Zau Seng (vice chairman of KIO), Dr. La Ja (central committee member), Brig-Gen Gun Maw (vice chief of staff of KIA), Maj. Gawlu La Awng,  Lt-Col. Lahpai La Awng, Lt-Col. Lazing Ji Naw and Kumhtat Hting Nan.

KIO already met junta representatives twice in Myitkyina on April 28 and May 21, 2009.

The Border Guard Force plan was proposed by Burmese Junta to all ethnic cease-fire groups since May 2009. The plan intends to transform all ethnic armies to Border Guard Force before end of 2009.