Burma needs no Border Guard Force; KIA chief-of-staff
The Kachin Post / June 14, 2009

The chief-of-staff of Kachin Independence Army Maj-Gen. Gunhtang Gam Shawng said Burma does not need Border Guard Force in Kachin State to defend foreign enemies, according to the exclusive interview with The Kachin Post.

“There is no job for military, expect the police along the border with China or India,” said Maj-Gen. Gunhtang Gam Shawng. “There would be no war with neighboring countries because we live and interrelate friendly with Chinese and neighbors.” The Kachin State is situated in northern Burma, bordering with India in the West, and China in the East.

“It’s clearly saying that [Burma Army] just want to disarm [all ethnic armies] overnight,” said KIA chief-of-staff Maj-Gen. Gunhtang Gam Shawng. Burma Army introduced Border Guard Force plan 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.

Meanwhile some leaders of Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), a political wing of KIA, have been discussing with Burmese junta representatives regarding the issue of Border Guard Force. There would be no better future for the Kachin revolution against successive Burmese regime, if the KIO accepts the Border Guard Force plan, said Maj-Gen. Gunhtang Gam Shawng. BGF plan has no political solution for Kachins.

Burmese junta are trying to veil the truth of real situation in the country to international community by pointing out ethnic revolutionary groups as the arms groups which do not have political aims, said Maj-Gen. Gam Shawng. Burma army is insulting and disdaining the KIA by introducing the BGF plan.

Gam Shawng said KIA stands for the interest of the Kachins and Kachinland. “We’ll never surrender,” according to the fifth code of conduct of Kachin Independence Army.