‘We Do Not Have Any Plans to Fight’

Myanmar Deputy Information Minister U Ye Htut serves as spokesperson for President U Thein Sein. In an interview with The Irrawaddy’s reporter Nyein Nyein on Feb. 11 he explained the government’s position on the Kachin conflict, current ceasefire talks and the accusations of rights abuses by the Myanmar military.

What is the current status of the ceasefire talks, and what are the key issues?

As stated on the joint-statement between the KIO [Kachin Independence Organization] and the government, we will meet again before the end of February. And we are also having talks with UNFC [United Nationalities Federal Council, an alliance of ethnic groups]. ... The meetings will focus on the political dialogue, but the ceasefire talks will be included as these issues are all related.

The KIO demands political autonomy within a federal system and amending the Constitution so that it specifies ethnic groups’ rights. Will the government consider these demands?

We have said that these matters will be on our agenda when we hold political talks. Not only with the KIO, but we also have to discuss these issues with other ethnic armed groups. As the President [U Thein Sein] said, inclusive meetings will be held with the Parliament, the political parties and the civil society groups in the future. … The government and the Tatmadaw are ready to work together with all the groups to achieve genuine peace

The government said it would allow the UN to help all displaced Kachin civilians, including those staying in KIO-controlled areas.

When can they start distributing aid there?

They are now discussing which places to go, the ways to those areas and the security situation on the ground. I am just aware that they are still negotiating it, but not in detail.

The fighting has largely ceased near Laiza but the Myanmar military controls key positions around it. What will happen now to the town, will it remain under KIO administration?

Laiza is currently under the KIO administration and we do not have plans to take control of it. We do not have any plans to fight. Now the situation is stable there.

Will the government reveal how many casualties the military sustained during the Kachin conflict?

No. At the moment, we would rather publicize information related to the peace-building process than mention the number of causalities. We do not intend to cast blame for, or bring up past incidents.

What do you say to accusations that Tatmadaw soldiers have committed human rights abuses in Kachin State, such as raping Kachin women?

I am also a military man. There are sections in the [Military] Act to take effective and strong actions against those perpetrators in the Tatmadaw, who commit such abuses against women. Such abuses are not acceptable in our Tatmadaw and neither for the government. If the victim complains about a case we will investigate at all times, and if the cases are found to be genuine we will take action against them [soldiers]. So, it is wrong to state that such rape against women is used as a [military] policy. We do not have such policy.

Concerns have been raised about civilian casualties in the Kachin conflict, in some cases involving the Myanmar military. Is this something you are concerned about?

I think it is unfair to say this. We’re not targeting civilians. There have also been civilian casualties caused by bomb explosions. Many civilians, including engineers returning home from the hydropower plant on the Myitkyina-Sumprabum-Putao Road, and on the Hpakant Road, have died this way. Everybody knows that these attacks were carried out by the [Kachin Independence Army]. In another bomb blast, orphans were killed. But such news is not widely discussed. In the case of the casualties [of the Laiza shelling], we have said that we did not shell them. It’s not clear who did. There are also armed soldiers going around in Laiza. It needs to be confirmed whether this was caused by an accident, a bomb, or artillery. Without knowing this for sure, it’s not fair to rush to accuse us.

By SiMOn rOuGHnEEn