KAREN RESISTANCE DAY HELD DESPITE ARMY OFFENSIVE ( Kao-Wao ) January 31, 2003

KAREN RESISTANCE DAY HELD DESPITE ARMY OFFENSIVE

(Kao-Wao, January 31, 2003)

Amid heavy fighting between the Burmese Army and the ethnic armed forces, the Karen celebrated their resistance day at the liberated area near Thailand's border.

The President of the Karen National Union, Saw Ba Thin Sein addressed the Karen repeatedly affirming a policy of finding a solution through political negotiation for the institution of a State of the Karen People. But the Burmese regime has invariably followed the policy of total annihilation through military means he said to the crowd during the celebration.

Saw Ba Thin urged the Karen public to pledge loyalty to those who have sacrificed their lives for freedom of the Karen people and to strive on, with unity, until freedom is achieved.

The NCGUB, Burmese government in exile also sent a message in commemorating the Karen’s struggle. The celebration included lively Karen dancing, colorful, musical performances and a military parade.

The Resistance day commemorates the beginning of the Karen armed struggle against the Burmese government on January 31, 1949. The Karen began its armed struggle for an autonomous state in 1949, but suffered a major setback in 1994 when a group of disaffected Buddhist Karen left the KNU and formed the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA). In early 1995, the Burmese Army captured Manerplaw, the KNU's largest base but the struggle continues and remains closely allied with other democratic forces.