Top KIO leader dislikes overseas Kachin petition

The vice chairman No. 1 of Kachin Independence organization (KIO) reveals an aversion to a petition campaign initiated by a group of Kachin in overseas, questioning the action as the possible act of helping the enemy Burmese junta, according to KIO overseas representatives.

Lt-Gen Gauri Zau Seng, the vice chairman No. 1 of KIO, recently releases an e-mail statement, saying that attacking and accusing Kachins each other shows Kachin are not mature yet and it's going to be a long way to success. "On the other side, is it [the petition] trying to help the enemy SPDC?," the statement asked.

"It would be better [the petitioners] can really help us attacking into Yangon, Mandalay and Naypyidaw .We'd like [the petitioners] to help discuss with SPDC as U.N. does [dealing with Burmese junta]," Gauri Zau Seng said in the statement. He also mentions that he heard about some overseas Kachins raising war funds and beating up the war drum.

The statement originally destined to the organization's Representative Office of Kachin Affairs in Thailand and India (ROKA-T and ROKA-I). Gen Gauri Zau Seng is believed to be the head of KIO's ROKA in Thailand and India. The ROKA offices are located in Chiang Mai, Thailand and New Delhi, India.

In the early of July 2009, a group of Kachin who called themselves as a group who against the Kachin leaders who deceive Kachins and work for their own interests, initiated an online petition campaign against Lt-Gen Gauri Zau Seng, vice chairman No. 1 Lt-Gen Gauri Zau Seng and vice chairman No. 2 Dr. Manam Tu Ja to resign from their position from KIO's central committee and retired. The petition urged Kachins to sign due to the above mention KIO leaders' intention of being friendly with Burmese junta and working for their own interests.

The statement also mentioned that it's appropriate to transform KIO's arms wing Kachin Independence Army (KIA) into Kachin Regional Guard Force (KRGF) instead of Burmese junta proposed Border Guard Force (BGF). KIO proposed KRGF plan to Burmese junta representative during the July 8 and 11 meeting with Burma Army northern commander Brig-Gen Soe Win in Myitkyina.

Meanwhile, both KIO and SPDC are discussing on the issue of transforming KIA and to proceed discussing further tactical plans when both parties reach on compromise, the statement said. It also said that KIO strives to maintain discussion channel with Burmese junta through Kachin peace mediator Rev. Lahtaw Saboi Jum and his brother Lahtaw Hkun Myat, who allegedly closed to Burma army chief Snr-Gen Than Shwe.

Within KIO, Lt-Gen Gauri Zau Seng and Dr. Manam Tu Ja are believed to be the key players and policy makers of the organization. Lt-Gen Gauri Zau Seng has close-relation with Kachin peace mediator Rev. Saboi Jum brother and he is the only KIO leader who met with Burma Army chief Snr-Gen Than Shwe in Naypyidaw, the headquartered of Burma Army.