Monday, 08 August 2011 11:52 Ko Wild
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – A coalition of ethnic groups, the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), on Friday called Aung San Suu Kyi a “public leader” and welcomed her recent open letter urging government troops and ethnic armed groups to stop fighting and hold a political dialogue.
The statement highlighted the ethnic groups’ call for a genuine federal Union that guarantees national equality and regional autonomy.
“Problems regarding ethnic affairs, which began more than 60 years ago, have been approached by militarily means, not by political dialogue. So, despite its enormous resources, the nation has lagged behind in development and all races have encountered a wide range of problems,” the statement said.
The Union of Burma is comprised of territories owned by previous generations of racial groups including Burmese and all ethnic groups fought against the British to achieve independence, the statement said.
“Civil war has adversely affected the nation and the people and military means cannot solve the crisis,” the statement said.
The UNFC, formed in February 2011, includes the Kachin Independence Organization, the Karen National Union, the Karenni National Progressive Party, the Chin National Front, the New Mon State Party, the Shan State Progressive Party, the PaO National Liberation Organization, the Palaung State Liberation Front, the Arakan National Council, the Lahu Democratic Union, the Wa National Organization and the Kachin National Organization.
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – A coalition of ethnic groups, the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), on Friday called Aung San Suu Kyi a “public leader” and welcomed her recent open letter urging government troops and ethnic armed groups to stop fighting and hold a political dialogue.
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| Kachin Independence Organization troops on the front lines. The KIO is the largest armed member of the United Nationalities Federal Council, a coalition of ethnic groups. Photo: jinghpawkasa |
“Problems regarding ethnic affairs, which began more than 60 years ago, have been approached by militarily means, not by political dialogue. So, despite its enormous resources, the nation has lagged behind in development and all races have encountered a wide range of problems,” the statement said.
The Union of Burma is comprised of territories owned by previous generations of racial groups including Burmese and all ethnic groups fought against the British to achieve independence, the statement said.
“Civil war has adversely affected the nation and the people and military means cannot solve the crisis,” the statement said.
The UNFC, formed in February 2011, includes the Kachin Independence Organization, the Karen National Union, the Karenni National Progressive Party, the Chin National Front, the New Mon State Party, the Shan State Progressive Party, the PaO National Liberation Organization, the Palaung State Liberation Front, the Arakan National Council, the Lahu Democratic Union, the Wa National Organization and the Kachin National Organization.
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