Ordinary Burmese may not care much about US President Barack Obama’s visit to their country next week, but China is certainly paying attention.
A Burmese government peace delegation will meet with ethnic armed groups in Thailand on Friday, but has postponed a planned trip to the UK.
Ethnic Arakanese increasingly see aid workers and reporters as unwelcome outsiders who ignore their needs and their side of the story.
The Thailand Burma Border Consortium says the number of displaced people in southeastern Burma is much lower than previous years.
Aung Min’s delegation was somewhat displeased the KIO sent low-ranking representatives to their meeting in Ruili, but nevertheless promised political dialogue with the Kachins.
Following an emergency meeting, the KNU says it has bridged a rift in its ranks by offering two dismissed leaders a return to their positions.
Arrested drugs suspect Thai Police Snr-Sgt-Maj Manas Seupho tells investigating officers in Bangkok that his smuggling network is run by Burmese narcotics kingpin Yi Say.
The ethnic bloc has agreed to a first round of talks with a Burmese government delegation.
Recently dismissed KNU military chief Gen. Mutu Say Poe will be reappointed and could be elected the group’s next president, say KNU sources.
The death of Karen National Union leader David Htaw comes at a crucial turning point in Burma’s ongoing efforts to end decades of ethnic conflict.
David Taw, a top leader of the Karen National Union, passes away in Rangoon on Sunday after several months of illness, according to family members.
After nearly three decades on a Burmese government blacklist, veteran Burma watcher Bertil Lintner is allowed back into the country.
The internal conflict within the KNU leadership is unsettling for ordinary Karens, for the KNLA, for international observers—even for the Burmese government.
Many observers see the latest split in Karen ranks as a military division along north-south lines.
The sacking of Gen. Mutu Say Poe raises fears that the rebel army is about to fracture into two rival factions.
MPs agree that the Constitution must be amended to allow citizens with foreign family members to run if Suu Kyi were to contest the presidency.
The Karen National Union threatens legal action against the head of its armed wing for traveling to Pa-an to open a liaison office.
Thailand plans a new bridge over the Salween River from Mae Hong Son to Burma’s Dakwin region to boost trade providing the Karen ceasefire holds.
Refugees from Burma say they want to return to their homeland, but fear they could be pushed backed before conditions there have really improved.
KIO Must Be a Role Model
By SAW YAN NAING / THE IRRAWADDYThe Kachin Independence Organization has great experience negotiating with central government and should act as a pioneer for other ethnic groups to achieve permanent peace.