A Finnish website is reporting that “Mika” - a 28 year old who claims to be a former member of both the Finnish Army and the French Foreign Legion - has volunteered to fight in Burma with the Karen National Liberation Army. The website’s only source is a Bangkok Post article that I cannot find online at the moment.
Of course, this report isn’t actually as bizarre as it might initially seem.
Mika would not be the first foreign fighter to actively support Karen, Shan or Mon military activities along the Thai-Burma border. Phil Thornton’s great book, Restless Souls: Rebels, Refugees, Medics And Misfits On The Thai-Burma Border, is peppered with these sorts of characters.
For anybody with a deeper interest, other accounts of the border - from sources as diverse as the Democratic Voice of Burma, the BBC and an old copy of Asian Survey – have something to tell us about the role of “mercenaries” in Burma’s festering conflicts. Interestingly, I have never seen a book or article written by a foreign fighter. Of course, I may be missing something.
If any New Mandala readers have suggestions, or more information on this topic, please feel free to share your references and wisdom.
220 responses so far ↓
1 patiwat // Jan 30, 2007 at 5:56 am
Don’t forget Rambo!
2 Tara // Jan 30, 2007 at 12:37 pm
I think there is a book written by a foreign soldier, actually. I can’t remember the name off the top of my head, but I remember reading a review of it. The author/soldier was a westerner who fought with the Karen. Perhaps someone else is familiar with it – I’ll try to look it up when I get the chance.
3 Diego // Feb 1, 2007 at 12:36 am
nic, perhaps you will be the first one…after or during your phd!
a
4 jeru // Feb 1, 2007 at 2:37 am
The Burmese people were once proud fierce warriors (history of wars with Thailand). How could they have taken so much abuse from General Newin and the military juntas that followed in never-ending succession.
5 New Mandala » Long-serving Karen General sacked // Feb 1, 2007 at 3:36 am
[...] It can be all too easy to foget that many people in Burma – including many Karen, Shan, Kachin and others – have fought for decades. Short-term mercenaries they are not! It is because of the life-long commitment of soldiers like Brig-Gen Htain Maung that the armed independence movements on Burma’s fringes now enjoy such long histories. [...]
6 Siam Sport // Feb 2, 2007 at 4:09 am
Myanmar don’t need more warriors…
Businessmen, doctors and teachers would be much more useful.
7 Charles F. // Jan 18, 2008 at 4:53 pm
An American who fought in Burma alongside the KNLA is Thomas James Bleming.
He wrote a book about his experiences, “War in Karen Country”, available on Amazon.com.
Yes, The KNLA does accept foreign volunteers. Just don’t be a Sylvester Stallone wannabe
8 chut // Jan 19, 2008 at 7:14 am
I used to hear about David when I helped on landmines issue. It would came out naturally like “Have you seen ampulation VDO from, David? ” and we know what David they refered to. Anyone has an idea or heard of him?
9 Thomas Bleming // Jan 23, 2008 at 8:08 am
I have just came upon your website where some individual made mention of a book that has come out recently about the Karen National Liberation Army, written by an American who joined their fight. that individual is me, Thomas Bleming and I am the author of”War in Karen Country” as well as “Panama -Echoes from a Revolution”. Both books can be seen on Amazon.com or by going to “Bleming Books” on the Google and /or Yahoo search to see the many hundreds of web sites on these.
Those of you who wish to look on the web for information using my name can do so as well.
I hope that those interested in the Karen national Liberation Army and their fight will purchase my book and they will have inside knowledge of their fight for freedom.
10 Berthold // Jan 25, 2008 at 5:09 am
Some French people had fought with the KLNA since the early eighties. Most of them were former professional soldiers and/or right wing activist.
Some were killed in action, as Jean-Phillipe COURREGES (1985), Guillaume OILLIC (9/11/1990), Olivier THIRIAT (1989).
Gaston BESSON, who fought on the croatian side in Yugoslovia war, claims he was with the Karen guerilla in his book “Une vie en ligne de mire”.
11 Karen National Union -USA // Jan 28, 2008 at 7:07 am
As of last Spring (2007), the Karen National Union representing the Republic of Kawthoolei has opened an information office in the United States. The Republic of Kawthoolei Information Office is located in Lusk, Wyoming and offers a wide range of services to those enquiring about the Karen National Liberation Army, republic of Kawthoolei, investing in and traveling to the Karen state, etc. Those interested in contacting the KNU information office can do so by using the web and typing in kawthooleiusa@yahoo.com , or you can phone (307)334-2507.
12 Whelton // Jan 31, 2008 at 7:55 am
If you were interested in maby going over there and working who would you contact , i know some guys who went to south America and a guy just hired them sitting in a park bench any ideas or sites would be great help.
13 Karen National Union (USA) // Feb 1, 2008 at 4:59 am
Dear Welton,
In reply to your question . We cannot nor do we recruit anyone within the United States to go to the Republic of Kawthoolei to fight.
Under the laws (U.S. Neutrality Act), this is illegal, however if you and your friends want to get an insight into the struggle of our people (which as of this day marks its 59th year), then may we suggest that you and your friends purchase “War in Karen Country”,
which was written by Thomas James Bleming and which is selling
world wide(see “Bleming books”, “Thomas Bleming books” on both the Google/Yahoo search modes), and within this book it contains all the answers to your questions as well as a way to contact the Karen National Liberation Army .
If you would contact us (use our e-mail) , we would be more then happy to discuss your plans, however we remind you and everyone else that we do NOT recruit within the United States .
The purpose of the Karen National Union Information Office is to answer questions about the Republic of Kawthoolei, offer information as to tourism/travel within the Karen state as well as information dealing with investing in Kawthoolei, the sale of Karen War Bonds (which give a 100 percent return to those investors), etc.
As for Mr. Bleming, he has promised to give 90 percent of the royalities from “War in Karen Country” to the Karen cause for freedom and has promised an additional one million dollars to purchase our country’s war bonds.
Mr. Thomas Bleming is the only American citizen within the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army at the moment. He is the personal representative of Colonel Nerdah Mya, the Republic of Kawthoolei’s provisional head of state. Mr. Bleming serves as Consul General in the Karen National Union’s diplomatic section.
14 Karen National Union (USA) // Feb 1, 2008 at 11:35 am
The Karen National Union (USA) wishes the men and women of the Republic of Kawthloolei”s armed forces , the Karen National Liberation Army and all of the inhabitants of the republic ,its best wishes on this 59th year of the founding of the Karen state, the Republic of Kawthoolei.
Let us remind ourselves on this day of revolution to redouble our efforts towards bringing an end to the hostilities, which can only come by victory on the battlefield against our enemy.
Those of you in Kawthoolei, especially those of you on the front lines should know that your fight and sacrifices are not forgotten, nor are they to be in vain.
With a new year we hope that this will be the year when our Karen forces will vanquish the invader and then and only then will the Karen people be free to determine their own destiny.
Long live the Karen Republic of Kawthoolei!
Long live the Karen National Liberation Army!
Long live the Karen People!
Signed,
Thomas James Bleming
Consul General
Republic of Kawthoolei
Karen National Union (USA)
Lusk, Wyoming 82225
15 Whelton // Feb 4, 2008 at 7:04 am
I can understand , but do you accept canadian military personell.
16 Thomas Bleming // Feb 5, 2008 at 7:53 am
The Karen National Liberation Army will accept individuals from any country. I suggest you read “War in Karen Country” (available in Canada from Amazon.com in Canada by the way and it is selling quite well in your country by the way!!), for all questions you may have then make your decision.
17 Karen History and Culture Preservation Society // Feb 6, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Thomas I was under the impression that the current head of the Karen National Union is Saw Ba Thin Sein and he has been since 2000. The current US Representative for the KNU is Naw Louisa Benson and that Colonel Nerdah Mya is 201 and Headquarters’ Battalion commander and as such as no political office within the organisation – anything you could do to further clarify your position would be welcome.
18 Nicholas Farrelly // Feb 7, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Further to this thread of comments, New Mandala readers hoping to learn more about Thomas Bleming and his exploits along the Thai-Burma border may find this article useful.
And I expect a number of other New Mandala readers are also waiting on clarification about Mr Bleming’s relationship to the KNU.
Best wishes to all.
19 Karen National Union (USA) // Feb 8, 2008 at 7:35 am
I am replying to the Karen History and Culture Preservation Society and the questions that they have asked.
First of all I am not in dispute of what they have stated (ref.Naw Louisa Benson being the US representative of the KNU in the United States) on this issue.
I have been duly appointed by Colonel Nerdah Mya as the Consul General (diplomatic section), of the Karen National Union
in the United States and furthermore I am Colonel Nerdah’s personal representative in the United States.
May I suggest that those wanting a more clearer view of the Karen National Liberation Army as well as the Karen National Union, that they purchase my book as all that your readers want to know is within its pages (to include over 50 photos, maps, etc.), and furthermore with purchasing this book they will be giving back to the Karen National Liberation Army a donation of 90% of the royalities to assist them in taking care of their wounded soldiers and the families of these men and women who have been injured in fighting for Karen independence.
Within my book ( War in Karen Country) your readers will find the necessary links (through e-mail addresses), for Colonel Nerdah and the KNLA and I hope that my book will bring them the aid that they need to win over a ruthless enemy.
Sincerely,
Thomas James Bleming
Consul General
Republic of Kawthoolei
Karen National Union
Lusk,Wyoming 82225-0914 (USA)
20 Karen History and Culture Preservation Society // Feb 8, 2008 at 11:42 am
Thomas, thank you for your reply but I believe, and the General secretary of the Karen National Union has confirmed this, that Nerdah Mya is not able to make political appointments. there is no diplomatic section of the KNU rather a foreign affairs section the current head of which is Saw David Taw. Regardless of this I am sure everyone welcomes your contribution to the Karens’ cause.
21 Nicholas Farrelly // Feb 8, 2008 at 1:23 pm
New Mandala readers can also catch a video of Thomas Bleming talking with the Casper Star Tribune about his time as a “freedom fighter”. The video includes a couple of shots of Bleming posing with weapons in Karen State. I expect that many readers will find the video rewards a download.
Best wishes to all.
22 X // Feb 8, 2008 at 11:55 pm
The KNU has a bad habit of warmly welcoming just about any nut-job who manages to cross the border. No doubt some foreign volunteers prove useful, but many are just a waste of time and resources. Bleming, I believe, is sincere in his effort to help, but he is also equally enthusiastic about self-promotion and aggrandizement. Does the KNU really need to cater to every warrior wanna-be that this book might encourage? Bleming spent very little time on the border and his understanding of the dynamics within the KNU and the history of the conflict should be called into question. I suspect Nerdah Mya has indeed encouraged Bleming in his belief that he is the Consul General. The KNU has enough trouble without having a clear misfit claiming to be their spokesperson in the United States. Someone needs to have a word with Rocky and reign in this potential embarrassment.
23 whelton // Feb 9, 2008 at 12:52 pm
To ‘X’ i have great repect for your comment but liek you said there are some people (myself) and many others who have extensive military background and we go offering our services now in todays world espessialy this situation wich i have just recently become familiar and informed on looks like a oppurtunity to help no one i know is looking forward to being the next rambo well one guy was but that dream ended in a street in iraq again i have great respect for him but his ideas were just wrong , i apologize this comment isnt directly aimed at you what you said is very true , also does anyone have a ny footage or articles on the situation there it would be great help to me.
24 Nicholas Farrelly // Feb 9, 2008 at 2:00 pm
This thread now has a sizeable audience – lots of people seem to be interested in the issues under discussion. However, many readers may not be aware of another side to the mercenary, Rambo, KNLA story.
Pastor Derek Melton is a character who has, until now, been overlooked here on New Mandala. According to one report: “Derek Melton never imagined his first trip to Burma would be inspiration for a movie, especially a Sylvester Stallone film”. Another article, this one with a picture of Rambo and Melton, notes, “Derek Melton is a minister that has been to Burma to offer aide to resistance fighters. He wrote about his experiences for Soldier of Fortune magazine”.
In his time in Burma “Melton also delivered approximately $5,000 worth of military supplies to Col. Largo. The supplies were provided by Soldier of Fortune magazine”.
Pastor Melton has an extensive website. Right now that website carries the following announcement:
“With great sorrow and pain I regretfully announce to you that my dear friend General Thera Lermu has been killed (martyred) in Burma by a bomb that exploded underneath the bedroom of the hut where he was sleeping in the Jungle. The bomb was intentionally set by the Karen corrupt political faction called the KNU. Their hitmen rebels carried out the dastardly deed. General Lermu held a masters degree in Business and Economics out of India and was one of the chief leaders of the KNU/KNLA Peace Council with Pastor Timothy – and is Pastor Timothy’s best friend. General Lermu is survived by his wonderful wife and children. This loss is a great set back for the Karen nation, especially the Peace Council. Be praying for his family, and the stability of the region. Their engines of war will be retaliating soon after his funeral tomorrow and many lives will be lost. Pastor Timothy needs our prayers now more than ever, for these wicked hitmen will attempt to remove him next. Please pray for safety!
Pastor Derek Melton”
Pastor Melton’s website also includes a large number of photos from his visits to Karen State. They are all worth a look.
Other sources that have reported the death of Saw Leh Mu (who I have seen called a Major, a Colonel and, now, a General) are the Democratic Voice of Burma and The Irrawaddy.
I hope this has been a useful overview for New Mandala readers.
More discussion and information on these issues is certainly very welcome.
Best wishes to all.
25 Johpa Deumlaokeng // Feb 10, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Having some connections with the Karen community both in Thailand and in the US, I must say I have never heard of any active recruiting of foreign military folks by the KNU. There have long been a very small number of foreign mercenaries finding their way to the Thai-Burma border. If memory serves me right, Jonathan Falla makes note of some foreigners in his book True Love and Bartholomew during his medical volunteering stint along the border nearly 20 years ago. But most of the commentaries about the foreign military “volunteers” tends to describe them as a bit odd and eccentric, combat junkies really, and not particularly idealistic.
There is an American named David who is a highly trained professional military man and who is indeed deeply committed to the plight of the Karen. He acts as a military adviser and is also very active politically here in the US. There are also a few American-Karens who served in the US military and have also been involved in training KNLA folks along the border. To the best of my knowledge they have not actively sought out nor engaged in any combat role.
I am close to a Karen living in the US who is very active politically here in the US and is connected to the highest echelons of the KNU. He has never heard of Mr. Bleming although he is currently checking with his sources along the border to perhaps clarify Mr. Bleming’s claims. He did find Mr. Bleming’s reference to the “Republic of Kawthoolei” to be rather, how shall we say….., novel.
26 Charles F. // Feb 11, 2008 at 5:01 am
The word “mercenary” seems to be getting thrown about quite a bit in this thread.
Nowhere in this thread – or his book – does Mr. Bleming advocate or advertise for mercenaries.
As I stated in my review of the book, anyone going to the Thai /Burma border looking to be paid to fight is in for a rude surprise – nothing there but grinding poverty and human misery.
An area that I’d like to touch upon is the fact that there is a faction within the KNU/KNLA that wants to negotiate with the SPDC. From my own research I have found that this group is being looked upon as traitors by those of the KNU /KNLA that wish to continue the armed struggle for indepencence. In reality, all they’re doing is negotiating how tight their chains will be applied.
As Mr Farrelly pointed out in an earlier post, some of these individuals are being hunted down and assassinated. Some family members of these people have also been killed. You roll the dice, you take your chances.
I would wager that there are some people on this very board that wish for the KNU /KNLA to negotiate with their tormenters.
I have been in contact with Col. Nerdah “Rocky” Mya, and he supports the activities of Mr. Bleming. He considers him a good friend and a loyal ally. Nothing else needs to be said about it.
I recently spoke with an individual that was organizing about two dozen people to go to the Thai Burma border and assist the Karens militarily. Twenty-two people to be exact for those who make notes on these things.
But like so many of these ventures – 99.9% – it has come to naught because of finances. As anyone who has traveled internationally knows, money is king, and without it, you “aint going nowhere, boy”.
This thread had sat dormant for over a year until I mentioned Mr. Bleming and his book. Once Mr. Bleming took note of it, and responded, the posts began to take on a more personal note, calling into question Mr. Blemings motives.
Figuratively speaking, raise your hands if you believe Mr. Bleming has made any money by his involvement with the KNU KNLA.
Raise your hand if you believe that Mr. Bleming’s involvement has led to him being attacked and ridiculed.
For just one moment, put aside your personal feelings about Mr. Bleming and look beyond it, to the larger picture of the KNU / KNLA and what it needs to survive.
Would you prefer that they involve themselves in the narcotics trade, like so many other groups have done, in order to survive? Or would it be better if they availed themselves of the generosity and experience of people like Mr. Bleming?
Even the various aid groups are having this argument. Some would like the KNU /KNLA to quit the field and submit to the tender mercies of the SPDC.
Others want to see the world take a larger role in assisting the KNU /KNLA , both humanitarily and militarily.
If I had the money, I would be over there right now. I have the experience to assist them. In more areas than just militarily. But I don’t have the money, so I instead find myself on this forum, putting forth the argument that the KNU / KNLA needs outside assistance in order to prevail.
I would not dare to say that I’m an expert on Burma, the SPDC or the KNU /KNLA. But I know enough about the situation to know that unless the people of Burma receive some sort of assistance, the reign of terror they’re enduring will only continue, and most likely accelerate. Think “killing fields”. It’s already happening.
One last thing I would like to point out. As I stated in an off-line message to Mr. Farrelly, I personally know Mr. Bleming. I have known him for over thirty years.
While he doesn’t need me to defend him, I felt that I should stand up and be counted.
He lives a very frugal lifestyle, on 100% disability. What money he doesn’t use to survive on, he pours into the KNU /KNLA effort. He has borrowed money he could ill afford to, in order to assist them.
Call Mr. Bleming ” Don Quixote” if you care to, but don’t insult him by calling him a mercenary.
27 X // Feb 12, 2008 at 12:47 am
Bleming does give a supposed step-by-step guide on how to become a foreign volunteer with the KNLA. So “Charles F” is correct that Bleming is not advocating for paid mercenaries – just for volunteer/unpaid gunmen.
It is utterly irresponsible to recruit would-be volunteers so openly. The “vetting” that Bleming claims the KNU gives voluteers is nonexistent. There is no shortage in the past of foreigners with questionable backgrounds having wandered into the Karen State and been given a rifle, or even their own troops to command. It has at times been a “Fantasy Island” for the aspiring Rambo. Professional soldiers have fought with the Karen (ex-Legionnaires, etc) – but so too have delusional psychopaths.
Bleming might be charmingly Quixotic, but the problem is that he incorrectly presents himself as the official US representative for the KNU. The KNU leadership needs to clarify this matter and disavow Bleming’s claim – if for no other reason than it appears silly.
I have no doubt that Nerdah Mya might have left Bleming with the impression that he had been appointed the ‘Consular General.’ The Karen have a wonderful talent for playing up the “white brother liberator” fantasy in which foreigners like Bleming become enmeshed.
It is a dangerous, confusing conflict. Foreigners with little understanding of Karen factional struggles, the millennialism that infects their political/military “strategy,” – and the KNU’s own problems with human rights and democracy – should not be encouraged to blithely enter the fray.
28 Texan // Feb 21, 2008 at 4:31 pm
does anyone knows of another group trying to organize a trip to the Thai Burma border and assist the Karens or where I could find such information?
29 hans schilde // Mar 26, 2008 at 3:21 am
This statement is on behalf of Col.Nerdah Mya:
1.I never wrote a book called War in karen country
2.) I never ever appointed the author Mr.Bleming to be counsel general for the karen.
3.)
I never encourage foreigner to fight with us.We have enough soldiers of our own.
4.)
Concerning foreigners to come to our country: The Karen people arevery warmhearted and friendly.Therefore we treat any one with respect and share the little we have with them.
But we are not able to cure people who com to us with mental problems they got mostly during the war in vietnam.
5.)
For me the discussion on Mr.Bleming and his book is closed.
Nerdah Mya
30 Charles F. // Mar 26, 2008 at 12:53 pm
I find the letter from the Norwegian journalist, Hans Schilde, to be a bit odd.
1) Who said that Col. Nerdah Mya wrote the book, ‘War in Karen Country’? Tom Bleming’s name is on the front cover of the book.
2)Col. Nerdah Mya told me in an email that Tom was his “good friend” and that he was acting as consul general in the U.S.
3) Col. Nerdah Mya invited me to come over and “bring extra boots and equipment” for his troops
4) I think Hans is just showing his ass by adding that part in there stating that Viet Nam vets have mental problems. It would have been nice if Hans Schilde had just stuck with the facts like any legitimate journalist, but he instead had to inject some of his own prejudices into the conversation (Yes, Mr. Schilde, I know who you are, as well as your agenda)
5) Yes, the discussion of the authorship of the book is closed. Tom Bleming wrote it.
31 Dawid // Mar 28, 2008 at 3:13 pm
I find interesting the relationship between Christian missionaries and Karen nationalism. From what I can gather the long connection between Protestant Christian missionaries and the Karen people seems to have led to continual sympathy and support from American Christians and this has led in recent times to some armed help from keen individuals.
I saw a fascinating documentary about 10 years on the the God’s Army led by the charismatic chain smoking twins Luther and Johnny, who seem to have been particularly influenced by the particular Old Testament theology of Seventh Day Adventist missionaries.
They were only about 10-11 years old at that time . They certainly looked like mini-Rambos. Apparently they surrended to the Burmese military in July 2006. I be interested if anyone knows their current fate.
32 Charles F. // Mar 28, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Persecution of christians in Burma is well documented, so it’s probable that after the publicity of their capture (more on that below) died down, they were executed. The SPDC isn’t known for taking very many prisoners.
The twins were actually captured by Thai police and military 200 or so yards inside Thailand.
It’s my understanding that they were then immediately turned over to SPDC troops, who were waiting just a few hundred yards away.
The Thai authorities were more than happy to turn them over to the SPDC for quick and rough justice because the God’s Army was accused of attacking Thai’s and fellow Karenni’s inside Thailand – banditry.
If the Thai’s had held them, they were afraid – and rightly so – that Christian groups and the Western media would have screamed for mercy for them.
Much easier to just frog march them two hundred yards back into Burma and let the SPDC deal with them.
What isn’t generally known to the outside world is that the Thai military and intelligence have a quiet understanding with the SPDC, due to mutual business dealings.
Timber, gold, gems and other commodities ( oh yeah, drugs, too) are smuggled across the border.
In addition, the SPDC, with French help, are putting in an oil pipeline across Karen territory, and then into Thailand.
The SPDC is also – and again, with French assistance – damming up large areas in Karen territory.
The Karens are being forced from their ancient lands, and into refugee camps in Thailand.
The only ones helping the refugees are Christian missionary and aid groups. The U.N. aid is a joke, most of the money being spent on offices, villas and limos.
33 Dawid // Mar 28, 2008 at 7:47 pm
thanks for the info Charles, I didn’t expect good news,
I knew about Chinese support, but the French.
and to think the French president Sarkozy is talking about boycotting the opening ceremony of the Olympics because of the Chinese treatment of minority Tibetans.
smells to me of hypocrisy?
34 Ashley // Mar 29, 2008 at 12:45 am
Re. ‘God’s Army’ – extracts from Ashley South, ‘States of Conflict: Ethnic Politics in Burma’ [Routledge 2008 – in press - p.188]:
“Locally-centered millenarian sects – led by charismatic figures, often credited with occult powers – have continued to emerge among Karen communities in crises. Among the most well-known of these in the modern period have been Telecon and Leke cults. Both of these millenarian, syncertic Buddhist-animist groups await a Karen saviour, who will lead the people in a spiritual and social – and perhaps, political – revival.
[…]
God’s Army: Millenarian tendencies have also emerged in Karen communities further to the South, in Tenasserim Division (KNLA Fourth Brigade). ‘God’s Army’ – or ‘The Soldiers of the Holy Mountain’ – was formed in the immediate aftermath of the major Tatmadaw offensive against the KNU, in February 1997. Following the collapse of the Kaw Thoo Lei forces, villagers and KNLA remnants in the Htee Hta-Mor Hta area rallied around two twelve year old twins – Johnny and Luther Htoo – who led their followers to some surprising, if minor victories, in armed clashes with the invading forces.
Guided – or manipulated – by local Karen elders, the twins and their 200-strong, rag-tag militia enjoyed some notoriety in the Thai and international media. However, God’s Army eventually broke-up, under pressure from the Thai authorities, following a bloody siege of a hospital in Ratchaburi (Thailand) in January 2000. This incident was blamed on God’s Army, but was in fact instigated by the shadowy Vigorous Burmese Student Warriors (VBSW), whose members had taken refuge with the twins and their followers, before taking-over the hospital (and ultimately being killed by the Thai security forces).
Following their surrender to the Thai authorities in 2000, the Htoo twins were quietly settled at Don Yang refugee camp, near Sangkhlaburi, where they later married and had children of their own. In June 2006, Johnny returned to Burma, having apparently been tricked into leaving Don Yang refugee camp, by government intelligence operatives. By this time, Saw Shwe Bya, one of the original adult leaders of God’s Army had joined forces with the Tatmadaw, and established a ‘Karen Peace Group’ near Myitta, on the Tenasserim River.”
35 Charles F. // Mar 29, 2008 at 8:15 am
Ashley, thanks for the update on the twins. I had gotten my information from internet news sources and an individual who lives in the area.
My source told me that he had been physically present when Johnny and Luther were handed over to the SPDC, with onlookers clapping and breathing a collective sigh of relief.
36 Dave // Apr 30, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Hi,
I worked with the KNLA on and off from 1986 through until 1991. I have a book coming out on 30 June 2008 SHADOW WARRIOR published by Penguin in Australia. Unlike Mr Blemming, I spent a long time fighting alohgside and training KNLA troops. I did meet quite a few other foreigners whilst I was there, some good, some not so good. I can confirm that foreigners do fight alongside and train KNLA soldiers. One of my friends, Martin Donnely, was severely wounded there in 1985 and died of his woulds back here in Australia.
It’s all in my book if you want to have an informative view of the situation when I was there.
Cheers,
David Everett
37 Nicholas Farrelly // Apr 30, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Thanks David,
New Mandala readers who can’t wait for Everett’s forthcoming book – but who still want to learn more about those years along the border – may find interest in this extract from The New Light of Myanmar in the early 1990s:
The source is the Burma Press Summary available here. I’m sure we will get a different side of the story when Shadow Warrior is released. If any New Mandala readers want to volunteer to write a review please do get in touch.
Best wishes to all,
Nich
38 david everett // May 1, 2008 at 11:25 am
Hi Nich,
re-the New Light of Myanmar (NLM) article. It is relatively accurate in its depiction of events at that time regarding foreign soldiers and the KNLA but certainly not the French and US doctors and nurses. I met quite a few of these aid workers, and they had absolutely nothing to do with the politics in the region or the KNLA. They were simply there to help refugees and Karen villagers who had no access to medical help or money to pay for it. The ones I met made it clear to me that they were there on humanitarian grounds only. They were wonderful selfless people doing an extremely difficult job with little or no resources except for their medical expertise. I am saddened that the NLM actually printed that piece about the medical people, it was unhelpful and untrue. They were providing medical assistance to people who could not get it from the military government in Burma, it is that simple. But Unfortunately truth is always the first casualty of war.
Cheers,
Dave
39 Charles F. // May 1, 2008 at 11:25 am
Dave,
I look forward to reading your book. I’m always looking for information on foreigners who assisted the KNLA.
If you don’t mind, would you please tell me – us – why the foreign military assistance went off the rails and pretty much died out.
I know that in the past, several foreigners spent considerable amounts of time with the KNLA, not a week here, a few days there.
A short while back I saw a program that featured an American who has been living with the KNLA for several years. He’s supposedly ex special forces with service in Viet Nam, and stayed in Asia after ending his military career.
The media likes to portray these guys as mercenaries, but I doubt that few, if any, were actually paid. The KNLA is a real shoe string operation, so the money for mercenaries just isn’t there.
40 taipan // May 11, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Hi
As french former operative in Kawthoolei i have sent by different channels most of the french military advisers. Some have done good job other fail to succeed in fight or training. Some people come in Kawthoolei just as tourist or journalist. Very few was involved in operations. As Berthold said we lost some of our people in the field. At the time my successor Guillaume Oillic was a Saint Cyr officer promotion General de Montsabert and we lost a great officer. He will stay always in our mind.
I remenber some “former “green berets working with some of our former karen officers as Walter. They was here for training, not easy for them to go in operations.
Medic peoples and Non governmental organisations was very far from our work, but as they was living, for some of them, near our place some personal links was effective.
Our people never have been led by some belgium guy….only in some Bangkok bar..
I will be very happy to have some news from our american partners working at the time around the HQ…..
souvenirs of Kadangti and hello to all our karen brothers from the HQ commando. After 23 years so many left us from all side.
41 Charles F. // May 12, 2008 at 7:25 am
I would be greatly interested in an assessment from Taipan as to why the various military ventures failed in one form or another.
I have been told that the KNLA readily accepted the assistance, while the KNU leadership looked upon it with deep suspicion.
It is my understanding that the French led contingent was the only one properly formed. The remainder of the volunteers were just people who drifted into the area, stayed a while, then left.
There is no real supply train for the KNLA. Most of what they have is obtained locally in Mae Sot or Chiang Mae. Occasionally foreigners will bring in specialized equipment to donate, but that’s pretty much hit or miss.
I just read today that most aid groups in the area spend up to 90 percent of their finances on overhead. So, for every dollar that is donated, ninety cents of it goes to upkeep for fancy offices, computer equipment, etc. This is one of the reasons cited by a group I contacted as to why they won’t participate.
When Bo Mya was alive and running the show, things were lean and mean from what I’ve been told by knowledgeable people.
Now, the KNLA commanders and the troops live in the field under austere conditions, while the KNU live the life of Riley in Mae Sot and Chiang Mae. Small wonder that a rift has developed between the KNLA and KNU.
One individual I know who offered assistance was taken to KNU headquarters, where he was repeatedly insulted by the leadership, then told that his offer of assistance wasn’t needed or wanted.
He then approached the KNLA and was welcomed with open arms and many blessings.
What is needed at this point in time is a well thought out, well organized ( and financed ) effort by certain individuals to sidestep the KNU and offer military assistance directly to the KNLA.
There are alot of people who would jump at the chance to go toe to toe with the detested SPDC – they only lack the resources and finances to get over there.
42 taipan // May 13, 2008 at 12:16 pm
The Knu/Knla fail to perform during the years after the 1988 burmese revolution because they was exactly in the same position than the other resistances in the thai border (as exemple the laos resistance). When you have your asset in the Thai Military Bank it is not easy to be free in his own strategy. You just follow the order of those who control your cash and who allow you to buy weapons..and i don’t speak about those who buy your logs and ore.
You can do what you want as “rodomontade” and “political blabla”….you will follow the orders. It is really simple…at the time we inform them about what was the futur for KNLA if they follow the track from other resistances in the area……and the answer was clear….they cannot move….politically and technically…..politically because they was inside deep “trade” at the border with teck, tin and refugies and technically because at the time foreign financial service was restricted to operate in thailand (only one as foreigner was authorized. It was the only one free option possible)….. To plan an offensive you must to be free to invest in equipments, in training, in logistic,etc…..if you don’t have this liberty or if you have it under control you will never reach your proper goal……you will work just for the other….you will never reach the negociation….the other will finish it for you but with is own goal…you will never be in time….
Starting from the day they tell us it was not possible for them to be “free” on this field and as consequence it was not possible to plan major offensive. We stop to send our technicians…..we was very sad for all our karen friends and for all our KIA in the field but at the time we have already the experience from other areas…..and the knowledge of some endings.
At the time the 3 generals (BoMya, Hla Htoo, Taru) understood the situation very well and from both side we knew how the future was already darked by clouds.
It is impossible to save people from themself. We was just people cheering to much liberty and if the karen people was brave and proud……so many high ranking was stuck with Thai handcuff they lock themself.
Independance start by controling his asset and his finance…….after it is just technical.
43 Charles F. // May 13, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Taipan,
Thank you for your views on the situation with the KNU/KNLA. You put into words something I have been thinking about for a long time, ever since I got interested in the plight of the Karens.
I have long thought that Thailand controlled the spigot on the border, turning it off and on as it suited them.
When Thailand wants to show displeasure with Burma, they open the spigot a little bit, and allow the KNLA to mount operations. Then turn it off when they’ve made their point.
A guy who spent some time with the KNLA wrote that from time to time the Thai’s would show up at the various KNLA camps for inspections. He was told to stay out of sight while they were there. Had the Thai authorities spotted him, the KNLA would have had hell to pay.
Your writing goes a very long way towards explaining the attitude displayed by the KNU towards my friend when he spoke to them.
You are exactly correct in your statement that, “Independance start by controling his asset and his finance…….after it is just technical.”
44 taipan // May 14, 2008 at 10:47 am
Hi Dave
I remenber Martin…….as french it was not easy for us to understand his english. Our english was poor and his accent was strong as i remenber…..we was always asking him…..”could you repeat please”…..details….details ….God bless his memory.
To Charles F…..so many occidental people are looking the resistance to SPDC or SLORC or what they want as a subsidiary option…..but did they understand the meaning of warlords or the Confucian way of live (even if they are Christian), or the meaning of cast in oriental societies…..most of the people have references from their own culture and it is not easy for them to project a conflict in different cultures .
Karen soldiers are between the best fighters in the world as the Hmongs or the Gurka (people from the montains)…..but most of the hight rankings are warlords as Burmese from SPDC are…It is just a twin face from the same problem.
45 dave everett // May 15, 2008 at 7:59 am
Hi Guys, sorry for the delay in writing back. Caught up getting this book of mine, Shadow Warrior, sorted out for its release in July. The problem I found when I was with the KNLA was staying out of the politics. You can’t waltz into a place and set up your own private army. There are a myriad of problems faced by the leaders and a lot of it is called diplomacy. Sure, people complained about the “fat cats”
in the KNU appropriating funds and travelling around Thailand in expensive cars, etc. But what people have to realise, somebody has to do the business to raise money and it can only be done through Thailand. The relationship between Thailand and the KNU is critical. Without it, funds dry up, no equipment or food gets through to the troops or refugees and foreigners are blocked from reporting on the problems. Hence the need for the leadership to mix it with the Thai’s. For respect they can’t drive along in old cards and dress like beggards, they have to do business in an appropriate manner. Sure, some may indulge a bit too much, but it is a necessary evil. The wheels of economics to wage war have to be greased, this is a reality. For every gun that is given you have to give a dollar, for ammunition, supplies, etc to keep the troops in the field. As a foreigner, you cannot get involved in the politics, it is not your business. To meddle creates all sorts of problems. One particular one I noticed years back was the Pentecostle church people coming into Karen territory, poasching other Christians and converting them to the Pentecostle faith. They have created all sorts of mayhem in their misguided ways by isolating and splitting family members by saying if they are not born again then they are not true Christians and they cannot mix with people who are not born again, even their families. This bullshit created all sorts of complicated problems for the Karen people who did not have a very good education level and became confused with the Pentecostle version of Christianity. The Pentecostles were not successful converting Buddhists or anamists, whom they should have been trying to save, they simply prayed on other Christian groups creating a division and instability when there was no need for it. This was very annoying to me as it created hardship that was not needed. They are promionent in creating divisions in the KNU leadership today. They should have stayed out of the politics and stuck to giving assistance to the refugees and displaced persons who needed it the most. I did not say anything, as it wasn’t my place to do so.
I don’t knoew anybody who got paid for their services as foreign fighters. You would occassionally get a grant when you went on leave to Thailand to renew your visa and have a break, but that was only about $10 000 Thai Baht. This barely covered your travel costs out of Thailand and back again. I ended up getting into big trouble because I tried to raise funds for the Karen cause illegally back in Australia because I felt too ashamed to ask the KNU for funding to support a program to guarantee supplies for the troops at wholesale prices. It was misguided on my part, but I felt the Karen had already been ripped off by to many foreigners with grand schemes.
I knew Olivia, the Frenchman in charge of the commando camp as well as a French Cambodian guy Haung (whom I was told was killed in a parachuting accident many years ago).
The Karen need political backing and good press for their cause, it is vital for them. Anybody can pick up a rifle and fight, but the pen is more powerful than the sword.
I hope I have addressed some of the questions that have been asked.
Take care all,
Dave
46 Charles F. // May 15, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Dave Everett:
I contacted your publisher, Penguin Books in Australia, only to be told that they will only handle sales in Oz. They put me in touch with the British company that is handling your book, who in turn told me that there is an American distributor.
This is as far as I’ve been able to get in obtaining a copy of your book.
If you know who will be publishing it in the U.S. please contact me and let me know.
I would like to write a review of it for New Mandala. But I have to obtain a copy first.
Taipan:
Your posts on New Mandala have given me a better insight into the workings of the KNU/KNLA, much more so than I’ve obtained from others who have been there.
One of the things I’ve wondered about from when you, Dave Everett and the others were there, was how did you get past the 30 day visa limitations imposed by the Thai govt.
I understand that journalists can obtain visas for up to two years, but for the ordinary person it’s either 30 or 60 days, I’m not sure.
When Tom Bleming was there, he had to run to Laos once a month, cross the border, then return to Thailand to get an additional 30 days.
This seems like a poor way to conduct ones affairs over there.
When you were there, did you have any dealings with Col ( now general?) Johnny? From news reports I’ve seen, it would appear that his area of responsibility is continually engaged in skirmishes with the SPDC and DKBA, and is losing ground.
There seems to be a real problem with the KNLA maintaining their weapons. A failure rate of 20% is quoted often. Was this a problem when you were there?
I understand that lack of finances forces the KNLA to purchase used and worn out weapons on the spot market, some of them dating to before the war in Viet Nam.
From your earlier post I would assume that all weaponry and munitions has to be approved by the Thai military, which might explain why so much of it is junk. Part of the Thai “short leash” program?
Regards,
Charles Foster
Triumph_Chopper_72@yahoo.com
47 taipan // May 16, 2008 at 9:02 am
to dave
I recruit at the time Oliver …he was from the 1°rpima….he join the first commando with JP Courreges..he left the HQ commando to create his own commando in 7 brigade area. ….and Heng (thierry) was in standby in BKK after a long term mission in cambodia…he was half french and chinese…not cambodian when i ask him to join the team involved in burma border. …he was the guy the most talented in guerilla warfare from all the experience he got training the cambodian resistance…..at the time as french we was alone in the area doing this work……not easy to go in Battanbang in raining season if you look like GI Joe….
Heng left us in a parachute accident few years ago……no helmet wearing…after all those battles around the world he died in french soil…
One point Dave when you said…”as foreigner you can’t do politics, it s not our business”….i don’t agree….when you are able to put your life in front you can speak and those who are not able to do it…cannot said nothing even if they are native…Life inside a commando is like living in a family….you fight for them and they fight for you….there is only one consideration….the ability to survive and to fight in team….front off all people coming from outside….even if they come from our side….
For my point of view it is a necessity to understand politic….we don’t do the war for the war….it will be the most stupid thing….we fight for our friend or family first, for some ideas after….for victory always…..we write our destiny involving ourself in the societies and helping those around us….I meet bastards in our side and good guys in the other side…..we must forge our own policy when we handle life and dead. Political convenance and bienseance are fuck in the field.
In some societies….the military cast is the first one…..this oligarchia rules politic……even if you are a foreigner…..if you come from this cast everybody will understand your position.
3 month Visas was take at the time in Penang (malaysia)…laos was still communist at the time….the coming back in BKK to eat Macdonald was so great…..when our visa was out…….we have to paid thai immigration….but visa was nothing front of the taking back of our dead. (a pleasant administrative promenade)
At the time it was capt Isaac (now Major general) who was in charge about the weapons maintenance…..money and planification are less accurate than 20 years ago….and Vietnam equipments are old in the Thai storages houses….
48 Charles F. // May 17, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Dave Everett,
Your comment about religious groups meddling is very timely.
Just today I read an article about Patrick Klein, the head of a Christian ministry, Visions Beyond Borders. he and his cohorts are heading in to Burma to hand out bibles to all the displaced and starving people in the Irrawaddy delta.
A little salt and they should be very tasty.
49 Pictures of the DKBA on the Thailand-Burma border // May 23, 2008 at 8:21 pm
[...] the border. Readers with an interest in these issues, and particularly those who have followed recent New Mandala discussions of foreign fighters linking up with the Karen National Liberation Army, will find much of what is [...]
50 Charles F. // May 29, 2008 at 5:38 am
I would like to take this opportunity to tell New Mandala readers that I am NOT (underline ‘not’) recruiting soldiers, mercenaries or anyone else for the KNLA.
I have made several posts on this forum, defending my longtime friend, Thomas Bleming, and in addition, defending the activities of the KNLA. Both are worth defending.
I have been contacted by several individuals seeking information on how to link up with the KNLA. Most of them are ex-military with needed skill sets. Some are war tourists, looking for an action fix. A few are professional mercenaries, looking for a job (sorry – no money with the KNLA).
But there is another group of people that I would like to mention – the mentally disturbed.
I’m sure that you (you know who you are) enjoy killing chickens and then having masturbatory sessions afterwards. But how does that equate to fighting in a real war against people that have the capability and skills to kill you? Have you considered gaining employment at a processing plant, or becoming a journalist?
To “Mr. J.”, I’m sorry that you are having nightmares about Rwanda and East Timor. But instead of “joining the crusade in Burma”, don’t you think your money would be better spent seeing a therapist?
And finally, to all of you wannabe Rambos who served in secret, hush-hush, “have to kill you if I tell you” Delta Force, SEAL units that only the President knows about, I would suggest that you remain at your secret moon base – we don’t want the war ending in one day. We’ll call you if we need you. But I would still like to have the free suitcase nuke you offered me, if any are still available (my neighbor is most disagreeable and needs to be dealt with).
And finally, why yes, Joanna, I do spend my off hours daydreaming about murder and mayhem. But it usually involves journalists. Too bad you’re not an eighteen year old Swedish girl with large breasts, and whose English is limited to, “Oh, you’re so big” – I have daydreams about them as well.
Charles Foster
Triumph_Chopper_72@yahoo.com
51 Jack Slade // May 29, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Ha Ha ! At last some humor on this blog! Go! Charlie Go!
I must say I am in the same boat as he is. Several people have contacted me and asked ” Do you really want me to go over there and fight?” I always answer the same way.” No! I don’t! I want you to WANT to get involved in a way that you feel comfortable getting involved in. Donate money, time, clothes, food, books for children’s schools. Send plastic sheeting for shelters, medicine, flash lights, binoculars, monoculars, MRE’S, Combat boots, Sandals, blankets, solar panels. PRAY FOR THE PEOPLE if that is all you feel comfortable doing.
When I go back to Burma it will be on my own dime and alone unless some one else wants to go on their own dime and for thier own reasons. I am not trying to recruit anyone. If I was the only white guy with in the borders of Burma that would be fine with me. However if you have serious skills… get your butt over there, if you think you are man enough for it.
There was one joker that I will simply call the “Redneck Ninja” (RN)
RN emailed me every day for a week solid. I finally told him to call me. When he did he was DRUNK! He was a wanna be Rambo who had to get drunk to get up enough nerve to call me! I was pissed. I was nice enough to the guy that he called me twice more. The last phone call I got ended badly for him. He was DRUNK again and told me this far fetched story about how some guy in a Suit had walked up to his place of work.(radiator shop) Shook his hand and pricked him with something that made him pass out. He swore he woke up 8 hours later at home while reaching for a beer in the fridge. He thought he had been interrogated by the NSA or FBI. I told him to call a shrink and stop “drunk calling me” as I had better things to do with my time… like pick my nose.
So if you have read some of my posts or the articles I have written for some e-magazines or whatever and you think I am a recruiter for the KNLA, think again… I am not! I am just some one who gives a damn about the people of Burma because I have met them and bounced their young ones on my knee. These kind people took me into thier homes and fed me like I was visiting family. Being concerned for thier safety and well being is the least I can do in return.
If you want to send clothes, food, money, or anything you think would help these people then please feel free to contact me and I can tell you where to send whatever you need to send. I have contacts for releif/ aid organizations in Canada, US, Austraila, UK, and even Thailand/Burma. Let me know what you would like to send and I can help you get it to the place where it will do the most good.
I am just an old soldier with a big heart, trying to do the right thing.
God Bless…… Jack Slade
52 A glossy feature on Thomas Bleming // Jun 14, 2008 at 1:12 am
[...] along the Thailand-Burma border will, to get up to speed, find these previous posts helpful (30 January 2007, 5 February 2008, 2 March 2008, 6 April [...]
53 Rambo and the real war in Burma // Jun 20, 2008 at 9:59 pm
[...] has been replaced, both here and in more general reporting, by the Thomas Blemings, Jake Slades, David Everetts and Derek Meltons of the world. For better or for worse, they have provided a new and publicly [...]
54 Nicholas Farrelly // Jun 24, 2008 at 8:51 pm
It is almost 18 months since this post on foreign fighters in Burma was first put up on New Mandala. It has, since then, been read many thousands of times. And there are fifty comments that do help shed much light on the issues that were originally raised.
But, somewhat curiously, we have still to learn anything more of Finnish “Mika” – the original inspiration for the post. Does anyone know what happened to him? Did he actually make it to the KNLA? Or was this a non-story right from the start?
It would be nice to close the circle. And surely someone out there knows what happened, or was even part of it…
Best wishes to all,
Nich
55 David Everett // Jun 24, 2008 at 9:22 pm
I never heard of the guy or any Finish blokes working there.
I have some ionformation on the Karen in Burma on my website if anybody is interedted:
http://www.dangerousdaveeverett.com
There is also an article in todays Australian Newspaper on me that shed’s some more light on the military juntas inaction to assist people in the Irrawaddy Delta after the recent cyclone there:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23910490-28737,00.html
Hope you guys find it interesting.
Cheers,
Dave
56 Jack Slade // Jun 25, 2008 at 3:13 am
It was this thread that lead me to actually get into the jungles of Burma, I would hope that Mika made it there as well. I know of several others who have made it into Burma and back. A couple of those people emailed me my own posts that had been copied from this thread, to inclued a reporter who will publish a story about the KNLA soon.
I would like to see this thread continue as it is a very informative source for people with questions about getting to Burma under their own power.
Mr. Everett, I have looked at your website and read everything there, very interesting. I used to teach improvised explosives and weapons at a school in California and understood what you were talking about in reguards to “mixing” and making your shape charges. After a friend turned himself into pink mist I swore off creating my own special blends. Do NOT try this at home kids.
The photos there on your site are very interesting. I will be posting my website here for people to visit. There will be new photos there as well. I will buy your book once it is attainable here in the US. Right now I am trying to save up to go back to Burma.
I hope you have better book sales than that Bleming fellow has had.
I will be in contact with you soon.( off site)
Cheers Mate, Jack
57 David Everett // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:23 am
Hi Derek, I just read what you had to say about the KNU. You sound very delusional and are completely off mark. Maybe you are misquoted, if you are I apologise. However as said in an earlier remarke I have made on this site, some Christian organisations have a lot to answer for regardiong creating disunity amongst the Karen on the border and are playing right into the hands of Burmese Military Intelligence and the Junta Generals. Your type righteous religious zealot crap is what is destroying the unity of the Karen people. You come along with hollow promises and religious zeal, then run off back to America and tout how you have converted the Karen people and leave a complete mess behind. The truth is you didn’t convert any heathens at all, you simply poached people who were already
Christians, then turned them against their family and friends because
these family and friends would not become born again, therefore you said they were not real Christians, creating division and disunity within the KNU . You and your ilk should go to Afghanistan and Iraq and preach your rubbish there. The Muslim extremists would take great pride in cutting your head off with a blunt knife. I do not feel that you are a true Christian, you come across as an uninformed, egotistical, big mouthed yank wanting to bolster your own standing amongst the Pentecostal faith in order to stay in the spotlight. I strongly suggest you stick to Christian conversion of non-Christians and refrain from trying to be a psyudo Karen politician and be a true Christian, not a nation wrecker. You are not a true peace maker, you are a trouble maker. I know Timothy, he was a nice guy until he fell under the spell of zealous Pentecostal preachers who steadily eroded his beliefs in Karen unity. These are dangerous practices you are undertaking. I feel that you are partially responsible for creating this untennable situation and ultimately responsible for many Karen on Karen deaths. You would be best placed saving soles than trying to be a politician.
58 David Everett // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:26 am
I look forward to seeing your site Jack.
59 PRO BRUMA ANTI Tibet // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:51 am
Ehhh about time one country that actually deserves it independence gets it seriously Burma deserves its own independents as appose to Tibet thats was a country based on slavery FREEDOM TO BURMA DOWN WITH TIBET’S SLAVERY!!!!!
60 Thomas Bleming // Jun 25, 2008 at 11:01 am
David,
As for Melton and that so-called “pastor” Timothy, both are on the s–t list with the KNLA. Both have betrayed the Karen freedom struggle with meetings and alignments with the SPDC.
Melton even crossed into SPDC territory to “interrogate” two Knla P.O.W.’s last year. These two soldiers had surrendered to the SPDC/DKB and after Melton had his go at them they were then tortured to death!
I received this information directly from Colonel Nerdah Mya when I enquired as to what happened to these men.
An order for the arrest of Timothy has been given by the KNU.
Timothy is wanted for questioning in the murder of the late general secretary Prado Manh Sha.
Timothy fled to Australia, then to the United States after he got word that his presence in Thailand was on shaky grounds.
It has been reported on this thread in the past that Melton and Timothy have, for a long time, been engaged in fleecing various individuals for money, to aid the Karen struggle and most of these funds have been used to go on elegant shopping trips in Mae sot and Chaing Mai as well as to pay for the air tickets for their wives and families.
Should any of your readership wish to make a contribution to the Karen struggle, they only need to contact Jack Slade (www.storminternational.com), as he and a Canadian lady are the ONLY two who have been authorized by Colonel Nerdah Mya to collect and accept donations for Karen humanitarian relief projects in the Republic of Kawthoolei.
Mr. Slade brought over about $8,000.00 (eight-thousand dollars USD), of medicines and related medical gear, as well as other much needed equipment for the KNLA which he presented to Colonel Mya.
He continues to work on funding for projects that he plans to do back in Kawthoolei later this year along with the Canadian woman.
By the way Jack it looks like my book “War in Karen Country” is finally taking off (thanks to the “Arena” magazine story!)
I will be forwarding a contribution to you efforts from the royalities!
61 Jack Slade // Jun 25, 2008 at 11:16 am
I met with several differnet political groups while in Thailand and Burma. The one overwhelmingly obvious thing I learned from the conversations I had with every single person I met was that, as a outsider from the other side of the planet, I would never fully understand the complex political situation in such a diverse and complicated enviroment.
I was advised by the Free Burma Rangers to never get invovled in the political side of things. I never had any intention of learning all the in’s and out’s, gossip and rumors of every group involved.
I am a soldier, a shooter, there to offer tactical advice on how best to defeat the people trying to kill innoccent farmers and thier familes.
When I heard about Timothy and Melton I told the person telling me that I did not want to hear about it. I have a limited amount of time ,when in country, to focus on what is important and those types will just be one distraction I do not need.
Since being stateside I have tried to approuch several churches in an attempt to get aid to Burma… I have been blown off by the pastors/fathers/Reverends/shepards of just about every faith within a 75 mile radious of my location. I had one of these “Christian Pastors” tell me that if his congregation started to give money to anything other than his church he would not be able to pay the bills and keep the lights on in the house of the lord. I threw two bible verses in his face (James 1:27 and James 2:14-18) If he knows his bible he will know in his heart that he is a hypocrite and not a true Christian.
NOT ONE CHURCH HAS GIVEN ME ANY ASSISTANCE FOR THE KAREN PEOPLE.
I should post their emails and websites all over the internet. I should visit those churches and leave fliers on every car in the lot on sunday telling how their Pastor/Rev./Father would not let me tell them of christians and non-christians that need their help. Tell them how their leader was more interested in linning his pockets and gassing up his SUV than helping people that are starveing and dyeing. I am not a vengeful person.
However, MY GOD is a vengeful God and they will be judged by him in the end. I only hope that they see the error of thier ways before they step off the planet and infront of the pearly gates.
When on the ground in some one elses world you should sit back, shut up, and observe…. Focus on the most immediate and important things to survive.
I have no use for preachers or politicians on the battle field. I will ask for forgiveness when I am done fighting or you can pray over my dead body. If I think you will help me feed my people, keep my guns, and leave me alone I might vote for you.
I wish I could tell you what I know will change the balance on the battlefield in favor of the Karen, but I know the SPDC can read too.
When I go back I will show the KNLA what I know and see what they can do with that info, no politics, no preachers, just bullets and brains.
Jack out
62 David Everett // Jun 25, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Hi Jack, what is your web site address? Thomas left an address there, http://www.storminternational.com but it is a Russian web site.
Cheers,
Dave
63 Jack Slade // Jun 25, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Tom- I am very happy to hear that your book is starting to sell more copies. The funds are much needed at the moment.
The website Mr. Bleming mentioned is still under construction and I wasn’t planning to release it until later this month or next month. I still need to set up a paypal type of account so that funds can be deposited directly over the internet. The correct webiste address is http://www.storminternationalcorp.com.
You can read what we have put there, but please understand that the site is not finished and in all actuallity this site was not going to be open to the public for quite some time. We had intended to stay below the radar until we had better equipment and services to offer.
If you would like to make a donation or contribution you can contact me via the website contact page and I can tell you how you may assist us in our efforts to provide assistance to the Karen People. Please do not email me about guns or weapons of any kind. We are not in the business of violating the weapons non-proliferation act and follow the rules of international law.
We are not mercenaries or missionaries.
Jack, out.
64 Jack Slade // Jun 25, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Additionally if you would like to donate to the “canadian woman” Tom mentioned her website is http://www.quebecbirmanie.com. She is planning to set up job training programs, CPR and first aid classes, as well as english classes, employment opportunities, and even computer classes in the Karen state of Kawthoolie.
My company is assisting her in her goals and logistical needs.
We need all the help we can get if we work together we can accomplish a great many things. Jack
65 Charles F. // Jun 26, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Two cautionary tales
Years ago, during the Nigerian civil war, a German mercenary by name of Rolf Steiner was hired by the Biafrian secessionists.
Steiner had been in the Hitler Youth, and had joined the French Foreign Legion after the war. He came to Biafra by word of mouth, part of a fifty man contingent.
When they realized that they might get killed, all the mercenaries but Steiner returned home.
At some point, Steiner was given his own battalion to command, mostly boy soldiers. He cut a dashing figure, and with his past history, he was a darling of the many foreign journalists covering the war. They never tired of writing about him.
Unfortunately, Steiner began to believe all the bullshit that the correspondents were churning out. He decided that being famous was better than being obscure.
He consented to one interview after another, sometimes even seeking out the reporters.
He portrayed himself as a hard bitten mercenary, graduate of the Foreign Legion, veteran of Dien Bien Phu and Algiers.
At one point he even wore an iron cross, to which he wasn’t entitled, being only 14-15 years old when WWII ended. But who’s checking when there’s a story to be written?
Eventually Steiner was kicked out of Biafra, allegedly for insulting the president to his face.
He made his way to the Sudan, to lead the rebels there in glorious battle against the government.
He was captured, tortured, gang raped and then sentenced to 30 years in prison.
After a few years, he was released. He died several years ago in South Africa, penniless and alone, buried in a paupers grave.
Our next candidate is Pauly Shore, the B grade comedian and actor.
Like most actors, Shore craves publicity. He NEEDS to see his name in print. Publicity is his life blood.
After several movies that bombed, his star was fading fast. People didn’t even recognize him on the street, much less ask for his autograph. What to do? What to do?
Shore used his connections to place his own obituary in the local paper. It was intended to create buzz.
He wanted people to start talking about him again. And of course, there was the added benefit of reading the many accolades he was sure were coming.
Most stories that appeared about him had words like “B grade actor”, “has been”, “failure”, and “jerk” somewhere in them.
Hmmm. This wasn’t quite working out.
Well, at some point it became known not only that he was still alive, but that he was the author of the obituary. Not good. Not good at all.
See him in the movies or television much these days? Didn’t think so. People in Hollywood are like people everywhere else – they don’t like being taken in and made fools of.
Chasing fame can be a bitch.
66 David Everett // Jun 27, 2008 at 3:32 pm
THOMAS BLEMMINg AND JACK SLADE
Hi Guys,
I have completed some research on fellows and unfortunately it is not favourable. Thomas, you have no authority to act as any form of ambassador or representative for the KNU/KNLA or any Karen organisation in the United States or elsewhere. I have spoken directly with Nerdah today and he has informed me of his concerns about your claims to act as a Karen spokesman in the US. Neither Nerdah, nor any KNU/KNLA official, spokesperson or soldier has ever appointed you as a Karen representative of any form. You are not his spokesman and you are creating all the wrong sort of publicity for the Karen struggle in Burma. You must please desist from this masquerade as you are only damaging the credibility of legitimate Karen organisations in the US and elsewhere. These people are mainly ethnic Karen who have escaped from Burma and by the grace of the US Government have been give a chance to live in freedom in your great country. They are responsibly undertaking dialogue with the US government and lobby groups in order to advance the plight of the Karen and ethic groups as a whole in Burma. Their charity is accountable to public scrutiny. Unfortunately, what you are doing is damaging the Karen movement in the US and in Burma. I do not want to turn this into a personal attack on your credibility, it will achieve no purpose. By all means spread the word of oppression in Burma to the world, especially the Karen, but please do not do it under an assumed mantle.
Jack, your website leaves a lot to be desired. You are simply damaging the credibility of the Karen cause with your activities. By all means promote their cause to the world, but the way you are doing it lacks integrity. I know your history, your secret weapons, etc, etc.. I have managed to find this out from Australia with only a couple of emails and telephone calls. Out of respect for your age and good intentions I won’t put it up here for all to see. I feel that you are misguided in your approach. If a journalist decided to investigate you, you will be severely embarrassed and worse still, which is my main concern, you will damage the hard work already undertaken by ethnic Karen in the US and elsewhere. I implore you to give this serious consideration with regard to your present activities.
Regards,
David
67 Daniel Pedersen // Jun 28, 2008 at 4:32 am
It’s Pado Mahn Sha, not Prado.
And I suggest you all pull your heads in.
68 Daniel Pedersen // Jun 28, 2008 at 4:38 am
By a Correspondent
Karen State, Burma
Soldiers of the Karen National Liberation Army have wrested control of substantial tracts of land within Burma’s Karen State and are building new villages so displaced people can return home.
Many of the areas were once densely populated by Karen farmers, but their homes and farms were razed in seek-and-destroy missions by troops of the ruling military regime, the State Peace and Development Council.
The KNLA soldiers have planted vast tracts of corn, to this point they expect a coming crop of 10,000 tonnes of cobs that will be sold across the border in Thailand to buy rice and build homes for anyone displaced by decades of fighting to return home.
At a tiny village, equipped with a medical clinic and a school, solar panels supply power for lighting and the KNLA soldiers have constructed secure water infrastructure.
On a tour of the areas under development, Colonel Nerdah, a KNLA commander, said it was time to rethink the refugee camps strung out along the Thai border and how displaced people could realistically be helped to come home.
“We must build the economy and provide security,” he said of trying to orchestrate a future for people who have suffered trauma so great they have been content to languish in refugee camps on Thai territory and hope for relocation to a third country.
“We must first recognise ourselves as Karen without waiting for anyone else to recognise us,” he said.
“The SPDC is stubborn, is backed by China and it is not going to give in.
“We must first help the people with health care and schooling.
“Then, when we have an economy again and the Burmese junta is unable to cross our demarcation lines, people will begin to recognise us,” he said.
Colonel Nerdah then explained the theory behind the new tactics.
The KNLA had finally won back portions of the state after crippling SPDC offensives beginning in earnest in 1984 that forced more than 150,000 people into Thai refugee camps.
Now they had to repopulate, he said.
“Karen State must be controlled by occupation,” he said.
“Now we say to people, ‘come home, you have your country and we can provide security’,” he said.
As we walked through one of the newly-established villages, one of three visited on our tour, he described the people living and working the substantial farms there as the true heroes of the Karen nation.
“These are really brave people who want to stay in their homeland,” he said.
“You know everyday I sit and think: How to end this war?
“I think perhaps one day when the fighting is over I might like to sit in the shade and have a cold beer on a hot day. I think that first sip would probably taste so good.”
Colonel Nerdah is 42 years old and has not yet allowed himself that luxury because the liberation of his people is not complete.
He laughs when asked about Cyclone Nargis.
“You know the enemy only have 70 per cent of their air force left and who knows what is left of the navy.
“The SPDC soldiers are demoralised, they don’t want to leave base camp anymore and they have been banned from listening to the BBC so they don’t get news of what is happening.”
“They are paid poorly and their families are not taken care of back home.”
It is a critical time for this country’s future.
69 Charles F. // Jun 28, 2008 at 7:38 am
If you’re “the” Daniel Pedersen, I read two articles by you, “The boot or the gun” and “Burma: military force the only way”.
Same guy?
70 Daniel Pedersen // Jun 28, 2008 at 9:30 am
Yes that’s me, I’ve been covering this war for eight years and sorry if I seemed a little abrupt on the last posts but I’d spent all day walking up and down mountains in Karen state.
I don’t byline the pieces anymore.
71 Daniel Pedersen // Jun 28, 2008 at 9:54 am
But I have not come across any Finnish soldiers out there.
In fact I’ve only seen one other foreigner.
There’s very little fighting at the moment because you can hardly stand up because it’s the wet season and no one wants to fight because it’s hard enough to stand up.
But if there’s any hot female mercs out there that like sliding around in the mud, I don’t really care what country they come from, they’re welcome.
I’ll share my mosquito net.
72 Charles F. // Jun 28, 2008 at 1:43 pm
You must have seen George, the Swiss guy. How’s he doing?
73 Daniel Pedersen // Jun 29, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Good.
He’s a good bloke and I like him.
74 Daniel Pedersen // Jun 29, 2008 at 2:37 pm
We were together when I wrote that last piece and spent a lot of time talking.
He wanted to know more so we sat late into the nights talking.
75 Daniel Pedersen // Jun 30, 2008 at 5:38 am
I had dinner with my friend, Nerdah, this evening and told him about this shit and he is furious his name is being bandied about as such.
76 Jack Slade // Jun 30, 2008 at 10:34 am
Thank you Daniel for your positive postings. I was just about to completely give up on this site until I read your commentary.
After reading what the Col. said at dinner, I hope that his name is used less often on this site. I have always kept his info private until I had his permission to pass it along to some one else.
I know I dislike it when people use my name in the open media, so I respect his right to at least choose when and where his name pops up.
We should all try to be a little more respectful of each other, Myself inclueded.
If you see our friend please tell him that the http://www.storminternationalcorp.com site now has a paypal system set up to accept donations for humanitarian aid projects. Also let him know that We spent the last 4 days at a convention for Doctors trying to get aid and medical personnel into his country and area to assist in the clinic and building of a small hopspital. I do not know how effective our efforts were as of yet… only time will tell.
I will be posting less on this site as I have more work for Burma ahead that will require my full and undivided attention.
I would encourage people on this site to be as pro-active as possible. Take care all, Jack Slade
77 Daniel Pedersen // Jun 30, 2008 at 3:23 pm
More power to you Jack.
There was heavy fighting at 5am this morning and there are casualties on both sides.
I am very tired and am now going to sleep.
Keep the faith mate.
78 Charles F. // Jul 1, 2008 at 4:22 am
Mr. Pedersen,
Given that you are on the scene, would you please provide any interested parties your assessment of the current situation in regards to the latest fighting.
Do you have any thoughts on what/who provoked it?
General area of where it took place?
If you would like to take this offline, my email address is below
Charles Foster
Triumph_Chopper_72@yahoo.com
79 David Everett // Jul 1, 2008 at 8:54 am
OFFICE OF THE SUPREME HEADQUARTERS
KAREN NATIONAL UNION
KAWTHOOLEI
It has been brought to the attention of The Karen National Union that a number of US based individuals have made claims to be military supporting and training The Karen National Liberation Army and have such been openly discussing their support with a number of media outlets.
The Karen National Union would like to clarify that ity does not in any way endorse, encourage or seek the support of these individuals or their claims of representation. In making such erenous claims they have tarnished the reputation of both the Karen National Union and the Karen National Liberation Army and we feel it our reasponsibility to request that they desist from such action in the future.
While the Karen National Union welcomes all those who seek to support our struggle in striving towards founding a genuine federal union comprised of all the states of the nationalities in Burma. We feel some individuals have incorrectly portrayed our actions as an attempt to form a seperate republic and in doing so have also suggested that the Karen national Union and the Karen National Liberation Army are persuing seperate goals.
We would like to confirm that the Karen National Union and The Karen National Liberation Army are united and steadfast in our endeavours. We have never sought or needed the support of foreign individuals or countries and we repudiate the suggestions by some that we have. The struggle of the Karen is a just one and we are motre than capable to continue it without such aid.
Centeral Executive Committee
Karen National Union
Date June 28 2008
Hi Guys,
This is from the horses mouth.
I rest my case.
Cheers,
Dave
80 Charles F. // Jul 1, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Dave,
I was wondering how long they were going to sit idly by while all of this happened.
To say they’re pissed off doesn’t even begin to address it.
81 David Everett // Jul 1, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Hi Charles,
yes it’s sad that it has come to this. I think they have enough on their plate fighting a war against the military regime in Burma without people coming along and pretending to be something they are not and creating negative publicity. Especially in the US, whose governemtn has always been positive towards prodemocracy groups in Burma.
Cheers,
Dave
82 KNU statement “regarding foreign individuals” // Jul 1, 2008 at 7:26 pm
[...] Mandala readers who have been following the lengthy discussions of foreigners supporting the Karen National Liberation Army will want to see this [...]
83 David Everett // Jul 4, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Hi Guys,
if you are interested, have a listen to this pod cvast from an interview I did yesterday on a Perth FM Station about my book and the Karen.
http://www.rtrfm.com.au/download/727
Cheers,
Dave
84 Hey Dave Everett, an old friend looking for you. // Jul 17, 2008 at 11:25 am
Hi Dave,
You got your German Shaephard from me.
Remember the gorilla suit?? I do.
Now you might remember who I am please get in contact with me. Old friends are good friends.
Your website link failed so I could contact you personally.
I am in Canberra, you probably remembver which department.
Cheers Mate.
85 Former Australian Ambassador engages Burma // Jul 29, 2008 at 5:10 pm
[...] for McDonalds to make its big Burma push? Or, at the end of the day, will it be left to these familiar guys to make the [...]
86 Dave Everett // Aug 14, 2008 at 10:23 am
Hi All,
thought I had heard it all, but this takes the cake.
Cheers,
Dave
DICTATOR WATCH
> (www.dictatorwatch.org)
>
> Contact: Roland Watson, roland@dictatorwatch.org
>
> RUSSIAN SUPPORT FOR BURMA’S NUCLEAR PROGRAM, #2
>
> August 7, 2008
>
> Please forward.
>
>
> We have received additional intelligence that both confirms and expands our last report, about how Russia is guiding the SPDC’s nuclear development and more generally its military modernization. This intelligence is from new sources.
>
> In May 2001, at the National Defence College (Rangoon), SPDC Science and Technology Minister U Thaung said that Burma would make an effort to possess nuclear weapons by 2020. Once achieved, this would make the regime the strongest military power in Southeast Asia; the country would be transformed into the “Fourth Burman Empire”; and, it would be able to threaten Thailand militarily.
>
This statement reveals the SPDC to be a grave threat to international security and peace. The regime’s announcement that its new 10 MW reactor is intended for peaceful research purposes is a lie.
Our report further describes the respective roles of China, India, Japan, North Korea and Iran in assisting the SPDC to develop a nuclear capability. It also lists recent purchases of major weapons systems.
George Bush is now touring East Asia. The threat posed by the SPDC, and its relations with other countries in the region, should be at the top of his agenda. This is the true responsibility of a United States President, to help lead the world in addressing its most serious problems, not to participate in an entertainment spectacle and through this to legitimize its totalitarian host.
>
> For the full brief, please see:
> http://www.dictatorwatch.org/articles/russianintel2.html
>
>
87 lee // Sep 2, 2008 at 11:32 am
To those living and working in Mae Sot, Thailand: I think it’s time we addressed the Thomas/Daniel/Slade issue. Please contact me at seal.asia@hushmail.com
88 Charles F. // Sep 2, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Considering that it has flamed out, what’s to address?
Is this going to be one of those, “I’ve lived here for twenty years, and this is how we’ve always done things” diatribes against people you perceive to be interlopers in your bailiwick?
89 Vin DiCator // Sep 29, 2008 at 11:35 am
It would be good if the KNLA Christian HQ had a website to communicate directly with the world and state their position “from the horses’ mouth” so to speak. An interested observer would not have to pick through the personalities, back-biting, etc. to find the truth.
If one such website should be forthcoming please let me know. It is hard to know who to trust these days…
90 Charles F. // Sep 29, 2008 at 12:53 pm
You’re in luck. The Karen National Union does have a website.
http://www.karen.org/knu/knu.htm
91 David Everett // Sep 29, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Hi Vin,
Just quickly for your information. The KNLA/KNU are made up of Christians and Buddhists. The bulk of Karen people are Buddhist/anamist, not Christian. This is a common mistake many people make and was used to great affect by the military junta in 1995 to enginner a split between a very small number of disgruntled KNLA troops and lable it as religious persecution on the part of the KNU/KNLA leadership. It worked to great affect and led to the abandoning of the KNU/KNLA stronghold at Manerplaw. This matter should be viewed as a Karen struggle for recognition and sustainability of their culture, language and education and social mobility within the Union of Burma. The stop to the present genocide that is taking place and a way forward for all the ethnic groups in Burma to progress towards peace, stability, economic self sustainability, freedom of religious choice and the opportunity for all citizens of Burma to be able to take in upward social and economic mobility under a true federal union that recognises all the citizens of the country. To reduce this conflict to a religious divide is to both enflame and perpetuate the ongoing troubles in the country.
Regards,
David Everett
92 Jack Slade // Sep 29, 2008 at 4:10 pm
The web site idea has been sugested several times. It seems there was an attempt, the site I saw has poorly constructed, negelected and labeled as a false KNU/ KNLA site on other blogs and sites. I looked at the site several times over several months and decided it had been abandoned, left adrift in cyberspace because ther had been no changes or updates. I have not even looked for “it” or a new one in a year. Now is the time this idea should be revisited.
93 Daniel Pedersen // Sep 29, 2008 at 6:29 pm
It’s happening.
94 Jack Slade // Sep 30, 2008 at 10:37 am
Charllie- thats the site I looked at over a year ago. It hasn’t changed and the email address in the contact us section is no longer active. You may notice that that all of the updates seem to stop around 1998. All of the photos are expired as well. I think it is safe to say it has been forgotten.
95 James Moore // Nov 24, 2008 at 3:39 pm
I am an American and was with Daniel Pedersen and Nerdah Mya in July 08. I learned 2 things.
#1 …The KNLA does not need mercenary foreign fighters. They have thousands of brave, willing and highly motivated potential Karen fighters waiting to be handed a functional M-16. They need functional weapons and ammo. The # of Karen soldiers = # of functional weapons.
#2…The Karen need Western, especially US media attention. The largest export in the US is now “the entertainment ” industry. If the genocide in Burma is ever broadly depicted in the US news, movie, music etc industry, the international political pressure generated would be formidable and would likely lead to the castration of the the Myanmar government/ SPDC , as a newly image conscious , tourist friendly, China, and Thailand would likely shrink from the international embarrassment and coerce its evil ally to at least moderate its brutal tactics .
Long live Nerdah Mya and Daniel Pedersen. Two true heros of humanity keeping hope alive for their Karen brothers and sisters.
96 Charles F. // Nov 24, 2008 at 4:15 pm
This conversation is continually coming back to mercenaries.
I don’t know of anyone trying to make any money off of the KNLA other than a few reporters who have sold their stories to magazines.
I’m well acquainted with Dan Pedersen, and he’s definitely on the side of the angels. The guy has gone way above what is asked of anyone who is aware of the plight of the long suffering Karens.
As for Nerdah Mya, Rocky gave up a comfortable life in the U.S. to fight for his people in Burma. He could be siting on the beach in California, sipping wine. Instead, he’s in a malaria infested jungle.
I have communicated with several people in the U.S. govt regarding the Karens. They don’t want to be bothered. As Dave Everett pointed out in an earlier post, they don’t want to rock the boat.
The big fear is that the Chinese will intervene in a real big way if the junta in Rangoon feels threatened by outside forces.
The last thing the U.S. wants is the Chinese navy coming over the horizon, or elements of the Chinese army encamped on the Thai border. It’s just that simple.
Put another way – everyone is making money, the oil and gas is flowing freely and the various generals are getting rich. What’s the lives of a few million people?
One last thing. Who are you to tell Americans – or anyone else, for that matter – to not go there and volunteer to fight?
If a guy weighs the pros and cons of going there, it isn’t your concern. If the KNLA or the SSA doesn’t want them, that’s for them to say, and definitely not you.
I say more power to anyone who is willing to risk his/her life in the advancement of a good cause.
And before you reply that you’ve spoken to this guy, or that guy, let me tell you that so have I. They welcome the help, with the exception of the “war tourists” and wannabees. They feel proud that people are willing to come in and share the same hardships and dangers as themselves.
I sure hope you aren’t a missionary. I really, REALLY hate those bastards.
97 jud // Nov 26, 2008 at 2:04 am
Are you interested in facts, read new report of Karen Human Right Group “Village Agency: Rural rights and resistance in a militarized Karen State”
http://www.khrg.org/khrg2008/khrg0803.html
or the short form “Residents of eastern Burma actively engaged in peaceful resistance”, says Karen Human Rights Group
http://www.monnews-imna.com/newsupdate.php?ID=1245
98 Thomas Bleming // Nov 26, 2008 at 12:00 pm
As for going to Burma to fight, I know for a fact that no one here will stop anyone from going, however that is NOT the case when anyone goes to Mae Sot.
I fully described in my book “War in Karen Country” the scene in Mae Sot with regards to the local intel groups that are posted around town.
The situation has gotten to be more of a problem since early October when the SPDC attacked the KNLA from Thai territory.
Army troops are now posted on the major road leading out of Mae Sot to Um Phang and are not permitting foreigners (unless they are NGO’s to go on this road.
99 Nate // Nov 26, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Jon Lee Anderson’s decade-long, intercontinental efforts towards the completion of the work Guerrillas: Journeys In the Insurgent World produced a fair amount of first person accounts of the Karen’s secession campaign. Of particular interest (though the entire book is fascinating) to this community are the passages in which Anderson writes of a Japanese sniper who regularly takes contracts from the Karen. I seem to remember something about his tours being based on time rather than specific targets, i.e. he would fly to Thailand and be escorted into Kawthoolei and released on his own to do his “work” for a few weeks at a time, and then fly back to Japan to relax. I wonder what’s become of the man…
Hope that helps
100 jud // Nov 26, 2008 at 8:02 pm
dear readers ,here you can get information about all political prisoners
http://www.aappb.org/
101 Totila // Nov 26, 2008 at 9:36 pm
That fellow was still being mentioned in early 90s along the border. If you read Spanish, the website below has a piece done in 2005 by Jon Lee Anderson that, near the bottom, which discusses his Japanese acquaintance from Kawmoora. Evidently, he now advises on computer action games for a major company.
http://www.elpais.com/articulo/opinion/panga/cae/facilidad/elpepiopi/20050817elpepiopi_6/Tes/
102 Charles F. // Nov 27, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Copies of “Guerrillas: Journeys In the Insurgent World” is available on Amazon.com for one cent, plus shipping.
There are alot of stories about the Japanese guy floating around. After hearing and / or reading several of them I’m beginning to suspect that there just may be more than one person.
Over the years he has attained mythic status, and it’s hard to separate fact from fiction. But along the Thai / Burma border, where there are all sorts of Walter Mitty’s and wannabees, he actually delivered the goods.
103 Thomas Bleming // Dec 8, 2008 at 9:50 am
I have just learned from confidential sources in Mae Sot, Thailand of an attack on a Burmese Army convoy deep in the interior of Burma.
It has been reported that this convoy consisting of troops and an assortment of light weaponry was ambushed and that there were many Burmese soldiers killed and wounded.
The attackers were Europeans , possibly some Americans and others, who have been in-country since over a month ago doing hit and run attaks on the SPDC/DKBA positions in support of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA).
I shall, upon receiving further information about this attack, pass onto your readers what I find out.
In the meantime if anyone out there has heard of any news as this it would be nice if they also would inform all of us about it.
104 Charles F. // Dec 8, 2008 at 12:19 pm
It can’t be too confidential if YOU know about it.
105 daniel pedersen // Dec 9, 2008 at 10:22 am
Yes, there are attacks, no there is no ‘foreign legion’.
It’s predominately landmine wounds the SPDC is treating at Kholesay base camp.
The KNLA still has the high ground.
Cheers.
Dan
106 daniel pedersen // Dec 9, 2008 at 12:41 pm
James, I miss you mate.
Thank you for your kind comments.
I spoke with Dah this morning, as I do every day and we have base camp back.
We will win, it’s just a matter of time.
Dan
107 Charles F. // Dec 9, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Daniel,
Thanks for the update.
The idea of a Karen Foreign Legion is one of the stupidest ideas I have seen floated by in a good while.
When it was first mentioned to me, it took me several minutes to regain my breath, I was laughing so hard.
An area I’d like to touch on is that of discussing Americans and Europeans fighting alongside the KNLA. I think it should be taken for granted that both Thai and Burmese intelligence agencies peruse these forums from time to time.
When the Thai’s read these moronic posts about foreigners assisting the KNLA, they go looking for them. The foreigner is arrested, blacklisted, and then deported.
When the Burmese read about it, worse things happen.
So when someone openly discusses foreigners fighting alongside the KNLA, I can only conclude that they’re trying to get these people arrested or killed. Stupid in the extreme.
Lastly, when someone starts discussing their “confidential sources”, and fishing for information in an open forum, my bullshit detector goes red line. There is a reason that that person isn’t being told anything, and that reason is right here on this thread. Perhaps he should step back and reassess, then go away.
108 Thomas James Bleming // Dec 10, 2008 at 7:15 am
Yea, it would appear to some , (who have a personal axe to grind with me), that what I have recently reported on is supposed to be a real “hush-hush” matter, when in fact the news on the fighting that goes on in neighboring Burma is really NO SECRET, however my sources are confidential (as this is how mostly all journalists operate when to give up any names could endanger those who have passed onto whomever, in this case me), and that is how it will be.
The mentioning of foreign elements assisting the Karen National Liberation Army is NO crime, and as it was reported that these foreign fighter’s were assisting the KNLA (this news is all over Mae Sot for anyone to hear so please don’t even attempt to attack me for stating what is the main topic of conversation in every bar and restaurant in Mae Sot), I passed this info onto your general readership.
Another point I would like to make is that NO one will stop NO one from entering Thailand (Mae Sot), to assist the Karen fight, however I do caution anyone who decides to go over there to keep a bit of a low profile while you are attempting to make contact with the KNLA (their e-mail address is in my book “War in Karen Country” by the way), seeing as the SPDC/DKBA are floating all over the city trying to pick up on any news of ”foreign mercenaries” (which is what they call anyone who goes to fight for the Karen struggle.
I have went into Burma from Thailand at least two dozen times and was NEVER stopped nor was I ever troubled by NO one, but then again I never “advertized” (as some of you “Walter Mitty’s” write about me and my trips to the Republic of Kawthoolei).
I continue to receive requests for information about the KNLA along with requests for any type of photos that show the Karen National Liberation Army (I have 328 photos of the KNLA that I have released as PUBLIC DOMAIN), and I continue to pass onto the appropriate KNLA leadership the names of those who want to help in some form.
While I have, in effect moved onto other things, I shall do what I can to continue to promote the Karen cause for freedom and if this troubles some of you then so be it.
Thomas Bleming
Republic of Kawthoolei Information Office
Lusk, Wyoming
109 Charles F. // Dec 10, 2008 at 10:07 am
1) Every time we hear about you going into Burma, the number grows. We’re up to 24 now.
2) You’ve gone from being the Consul-General of Kawthoolei to now being the Republic of Kawthoolei Information Office. Do they know about this, or will we be soon reading another communique from the KNU central committee, denouncing you yet again?
3)You can cease emailing Colonel Nerdah – he isn’t going to reply to you. In fact, he deletes your emails without even reading them, like so much spam.
4) I defended you on New Mandala – and a few other web sites – without having first read your book. Once I had read it, I realized that you had deceived me. Basically, you took advantage of over 30 years of friendship, using me to defend the indefensible. Your book is chock full of omissions of fact, misrepresentations of actual events, and in a few places, outright lies. I allowed my otherwise cautious nature to be overridden by friendship, and as a result ended up looking the perfect ass for defending you.
Example 1: you told people that goons from the KNU frog marched you to their headquarters and severely grilled you about he assassination of Pado Manh Sha.
You neglected to tell people that there was a witness to this non event – that it never happened in the way you stated it. The meeting was at Guesthouse #4, and was described as cordial. They wanted you to change a few statements in your book, and you refused. The witness to that meeting regularly peruses NM, and he told me all about it. You were never asked anything about Pado Manh Sha.
Example 2: You wrote in your book that you were involved in combat against the SPDC. I know from people who were there that this is untrue. You were never allowed to have a loaded weapon, which would put you at a serious disadvantage in combat. Yelling, “bang-bang” doesn’t cut it.
Those are but two incidents. There are many, many others.
You threw hissy fits over the articles written about you by Antonio Graceffo (http://www.hackwriters.com/Adriver.htm) and Brian McCartan (http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/JD02Ae01.html), but you neglect to tell people that you sought them out and submitted for the interviews. Only when things didn’t turn out like you wanted did you get angry. Why? All they did was print what you told them. Remember the stinger missiles?
5) For something that’s supposed to be secret, you sure like to talk about it. Alot. ALOT.
I counseled you many, many times to cease discussing it, yet you persisted. Your exact words to me were, “any publicity is good publicity”.
6) Which brings us to the crux of this. Your primary motivation is to sell a book. Just read your last post (#108) where you plug your book.
That’s all it has ever been about for you. To sell that poorly written book.
And while we’re still on the subject of your book – tell me one more time which company contacted you in the hopes of making it into a movie. I want to get an advance ticket. This I have to see.
7) Calling yourself a journalist doesn’t make it so. Getting friends to print your articles on the internet doesn’t meet the minimal requirements to be a journalist.
In closing – you have been asked repeatedly by people in the KNU, KNLA, refugee groups, and others working with the Karens to please stop making statements. They have asked you nicely in private. They have asked you publicly in communiques.
You do not speak for the KNU/KNLA in any capacity. You were never the consul-general, and you’re not the Republic of Kawthoolei Information Office.
And you’re not my friend anymore either.
This is my last reply to your posts on New Mandala.
110 Frank J Salerno // Dec 10, 2008 at 11:41 am
It seems to me that there is a small group of hardcore freedom fighters here focused on ending what appears to be a war without end. May I suggest you all begin to hunker down here in the USA and prepare yourselves for an inevitible confrontation between the forces of good and evil, depending on your perspective, and kick some relative ass. Or… maybe it’s more important to you to continue to engage in rhetoric on an unpaved road to nowhere many miles from American soil, and light years away from a blinding reality.
111 daniel pedersen // Dec 10, 2008 at 11:58 am
Dear Charles,
I’m sorry that it came to this.
I have never met you, but hope to one day.
God bless, we keep working to defend others less privileged.
Dan
112 Jimmy Clendennen // Dec 10, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Charles Foster, Jr., a.k.a. Charles F.
If your father, Charles Foster, Sr., were alive today, what would he say about your comments and behavior? He never tolerated crap like that. He was Thomas Bleming’s friend. He helped him fight for others in the cause of freedom. He would take you to the woodshed and spank your butt for what you said. You have never been anywhere or done anything your own life, but you feel the need to attack others like Thomas Bleming who have, who is leading the way for others to follow. Thank God for good men like Thomas Bleming, risking his life, to draw attention to the cause of freedom for the Burmese people. You should apologize and help, not hinder, Thomas Bleming in his efforts seeking a free Burma.
Jimmy Clendennen
113 I AM BURMESE // Dec 11, 2008 at 3:12 am
FREEDOM FIGHTERS?
You stupid Westerners meedling in the affairs of Burma. How stupid can you get? Are you licking the backsides of the 19th century english colonialists who colonised Burma and ruled by their infamous tactic of divide-and-rule? Burma is a unitary state and all ethnic groups are Burmese. What you are all doing is continuing the evil of the dead 19th century colonisers; get real! Stop meddling in the affairs of Burma. Because of people like you Burmese people, meaning everyone who is native citizen of Burma, have to suffer so much. The tiny minority Karens who sucked up to the English are nothing but traitors. DKBO is the legitimate party; they are Buddhist and Burmese.
Now what you can do is to study Burmese history objectively and try to understand how people like you are real enemies of all Burma.
NOW GET LOST! GO BACK TO YOUR PATHETIC INSIGNIFICANT LIFE. STOP STRUING TO AMKE A NAME FOR YOURSELF AT THE EXPENSE OF BURMESE PEOLPE.
114 Charles F. // Dec 11, 2008 at 7:54 am
If the westerners who are assisting the Karens and other Burmese people were to leave tomorrow, the killings and rapes by the junta would still occur. There would just be fewer people to witness and report it.
Your post speaks volumes about you. You try to divide the christian Karens against the Buddhist Karens, the same tactic being practiced by the SPDC. You must have a copy of their playbook, huh?
Insofar as the Karens supporting the British during WWII, that’s true. And it was the right thing to do. The Japanese fully intended to enslave all of Asia, and had to be stopped.
One day the people will be out from under the boot of the SPDC. At that time they will hopefully sit down together and create a successful country with peace and justice for all, not just a select few.
I will continue to support the KNU/KNLA in their fight against the SPDC and their slave troops, the DKBA.
115 Hla Oo // Dec 11, 2008 at 9:36 am
Racial divide between Burmans and Karens are very real in some parts of Burma like war-torn rural regions by the Thai border, but not so visible in other parts of Burma like now peaceful Delta and the Karen townships in Rangoon like Insein and Thamine. My personal experience is that racial tension is generated solely by the still raging civil war between the Army and KNU.
During the early seventies, while KNDO was still strong and active in the Delta the racial tension was incredibly extreme as all the Burmese towns and villages were armed to counter the KNDO’s rising influence in the region.
One of my older cousins was a minor leader of our town’s militia actively involve in the fighting the KNDO. He fell in love with a Buddhist Karen girl from a Karen village and eloped with her since both families didn’t approve of their relationship.
The marriage didn’t work out for obvious reasons and finally he committed suicide. He left the pregnant wife, and a beautiful daughter was born later and she is well loved by our clan and the whole town. She is a now a business woman prospering in our little town. Whenever I teasingly asked her which race are you, Karen or Burmese, she always replied with a lovely smile, both. I didn’t dare to guess what her answer would be if that awful racial war was still raging in our region.
But sad situations like that are now things of the past as the region is peaceful now.
The novel idea of every native citizen of Burma is Burmese is an appealing concept as many countries like Thailand has successfully applied that concept to assimilate or unify all the ethnic races under the dominant race and identify every citizen as Thais.
Maybe that will be the eventuality in Burma too, once the civil war is over?
116 Stephen // Dec 11, 2008 at 1:26 pm
While I won’t begin to debate the dubious assertion that Thailand has “successfully applied that concept to assimilate or unify all ethnic races under the dominant race,” there are some important differences to note with regards to Burma/Myanmar.
Phibul Songkhram changed the name Siam to Thailand on June 23rd 1939 with the claim that the “government deems it appropriate following the new fashion to change the name of our country to fit the race.” Critics like Ajahn Sulak, Charnvit Kasetsiri and others say that this terminology is not only historically inaccurate but also marginalises indigenous ethnic, linguistic and religious minority groups and should therefore be changed back to the more inclusive ‘Siam’.
The more recent (June 18th 1989) change of the official English version of the country name Burma to Myanmar was arguably just bringing the English into line with convention in Burmese language, rather than an actual change in the country’s name. (Even Burmese opposition groups that have the word in their names almost all use Myanma when written in Burmese yet use Burma when written in English) However, ex-PM Khin Nyunt argued for a linguistic change in Burmese language convention as well. He said that Myanma should be used in reference to the country and all its citizens and Bamar should be use in reference to the most populous ethnic group.
Taken on face value, it would seem that Khin Nyunt’s proposition is quite the opposite of Phibul’s and far more inclusive of the country’s diversity. In practice, official use of Myanma has not been so inclusive and some ethnic opposition groups argue in criticism that Myanma has also historically been just a label for the majority ethnic group rather than for the country. But I don’t believe that this opposition to the Burmese-language usage of the term Myanma is particularly widespread, even among non-ethnic Burmans.
117 daniel pedersen // Dec 11, 2008 at 1:48 pm
I think we all hope for peace and goodwill.
That people’s lives might become easier through our efforts would be a good thing.
If people don’t wish for peace then they are evil.
Dan
118 Moe Aung // Dec 12, 2008 at 5:45 am
Myanma is the older and literary terminology of the dominant group in Burma. Not surprisinglythe name change fails to satisfy some if not all minorities. I maintain that it doesn’t matter one jot so long as all are treated fairly which sadly is not the case even for the majority group.
119 Charles F. // Dec 12, 2008 at 8:33 am
In George Orwell’s ‘Animal House’ he writes about some animals being more equal than others. I believe that that’s what you have here.
I was reading an article recently wherein ‘low land’ Burmese looked down their noses at the ones who lived in the hills. Pretty much like Americans referring to southerners as rednecks or low rent trailer trash.
You have Buddhist Karens that hate Christian Karens. And alot of Karens dislike Arakans. And ’round and ’round we go.
And the generals hate everyone. Probably even each other.
Insofar as calling the country Myanmar or Burma, most foreigners call the country Burma. I suppose it’s a way of thumbing their collective noses at the generals. I use the term ‘Burma’.
Oh, and the generals are low rent trailer trash, even though they have probably never seen a trailer, much less lived in one.
120 Moe Aung // Dec 12, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Well, Charles F., they are definitely nouveau riche. You’d call it new money I guess. The country is run by a kleptocracy – gangsters in cohoots with robber barons. Hatred is nurtured by them by deploying ehtnic troops in Burman heartlands and vice cersa all through the 60 year old civil war, and they call it the ‘union spirit’.
121 jud // Dec 18, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Why Unity is Important. from Ko Latt
scribd in burmese and english
http://www.scribd.com/doc/8993686/Why-Unity-is-Important
122 Moe Aung // Dec 20, 2008 at 1:08 am
jud, a unified armed struggle is the message your friend Ko Latt is trying to get across. Perhaps he will take heart from the news item below:
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=14804
Some would say it’s about time somebody somewhere succeeded in this particular venture. Evidently it’s the Wa who have the incentive, the endeavour and the wherewithal. It beats the opium poppy hands down I guess. Will they be crucial in arming, for love or money, all the groups ready and willing to fight? Who’s going to be the unifier?
Yes, western powers have in practice never shirked from covert or overt intervention for better or for worse. It would be naive to expect them not to. The real strength however lies in the people. The Wa have set an example here. Talk is cheap.
Does “Ahimsa”, Gandhi’s non-violent civil disobedience strategy, still has a glimmer of hope to work in Burma? Are people really going to unite in their struggle, armed or no, like they once did against colonial rule and the Japanese Occupation? Interesting questions for sure, but absolutely critical at this juncture for the entire Burmese nation including the myriad nationalities of this great albeit cursed land.
123 Charles F. // Dec 20, 2008 at 8:44 am
I don’t readily see how this will develop into additional arms for the KNLA.
One of the rules of the KNU/KNLA is no drug smuggling, which puts them at odds with the UWSA. They – the KNLA – have offered many times to assist the DEA in stopping drug smuggling within their areas of control.
In addition, The Shan State Army (SSA) has disavowed drug smuggling and is actively working with the American DEA to break up drug labs and interdict drug routes into Thailand from SSA held territory.
While the SSA is most likely getting some funding – and probably arms -from the DEA, the KNLA is the orphan boy at the door with the empty begging bowl. They’ve been spurned by every western govt., save one.
124 Moe Aung // Dec 21, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Charles F., the KNLA is more like the golden boy of the western powers than the orphan boy though I guess that’s probably how they think of themselves . Broken promises and all that. You don’t see the Buddhist Shan enjoying anything like the high profile the KNU have achieved on account of being Christian and Baptist and accessibility from the Thai border. Bertil Lintner is perhaps the one knight in shining armour for the Shan and we know why his sympathies lie where they do, pretty much like a few of the Anglo- Americans when it comes to the Karen. Shans nowadays make news also because the refugee population has expanded to include them.
Should they be fussy about where they can get hold of what they need? There’s the famous example of Aung San getting help from the Japanese instead of the Chinese Communists. And of course there’s also the infamous example of the CIA doing a roaring trade with Khun Sa during the Vietnam War. Fussy, not the CIA.
125 Moe Aung // Dec 23, 2008 at 12:56 am
More info on access and availability of arms & ammo, past and present:
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=14829
126 Charles F. // Dec 23, 2008 at 9:04 am
It doesn’t surprise me that the many guerrilla groups fighting against the SPDC are having ammunition problems.
AK-47 ammo, for the most part, is berdan primed. Very difficult o reload.
The M-16 ammo, on the other hand, is usually boxer primed, which is a simple matter to reload.
As the article stated, the Thai’s use M-16’s, with .223 ammo. And I understand that the SPDC is utilizing quite a bit of .308 ammo, fired from G3’s.
It also doesn’t surprise me that the UWSA is producing crappy ammo – it takes some sophisticated equipment to achieve proper quality control and produce quantity. Home reloading kits aren’t going to provide ammo in the quantities needed.
If the UWSA really wants to get into production they’ll need to spend at least a half million dollars to get the equipment they need. I don’t think they have that kind of money.
Lastly, in that part of the world, moisture is a real problem. That’s why most ammunition is lacquer sealed. That stuff gums up weapons really bad.
127 Charles F. // Jan 5, 2009 at 4:49 am
Jimmy Clendennon,
Bleming didn’t know my father. I believe you’re confused on that point.
Insofar as your defense of Bleming – been there, done that, didn’t get the t-shirt.
This will be my last response to you on the subject of Tom Bleming. Your friendship with him, and your defense of him, is duly noted.
128 Freebird170 // Jan 11, 2009 at 9:20 am
So I found a picture on Southern Poverty Law Center the other day. Turns out Thomas Bleming is a Nazi (apparently Clendennen is too). I don’t mean in the cliched way where everyone likens those they disagree with to Nazis… I mean he’s literally a Nazi.
http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww314/freebird170/Bleming-Nazi.jpg
Left to right: R. Biederman, Tom Bleming, Jimmy Clendennen
Thank God such a righteous warrior is now “helping” the Karen.
129 Thomas Bleming // Jan 12, 2009 at 7:25 am
Freebird writes what he has. I suggest he read my first book (Panama Echoes From a Revolution), seeing as he thinks he knows everything about me. In my Panama book there is ample acknowledgement of my past political views. I will also add that the man whom we planned to put in power (after we got rid of Torrijos and Noriega), was a personal friend of non other then Adolf Hitler.
I believe that perhaps there might be number of your readers who would find this story highly interesting.
130 Freebird170 // Jan 12, 2009 at 3:48 pm
You plugged your book again? Jeez man. Does your book talk about you getting kicked out of Rhodesia for painting swastikas on Jewish grave stones? Are you sure those are your past beliefs? Your youtube channel also talks about American resistance groups. Are you sure this is all good press coverage for KNLA, who you are so passionately (and one-sidedly) involved with? I think you’re more concerned with selling books than helping the Burmese.
I was asked by my Burmese compatriots to find out information about you. They told me that you were walking around Mae Sot telling everyone who would listen that you had a “CIA greenlight,” and a vast store of stinger missiles. I was told this by more than one Burmese person. I know for a fact that you have neither a “CIA greenlight,” a vast store of stinger missiles, nor a purpose for said pretend stingers. You’re making this cause look like a joke.
I appreciate the need to feel like you belong somewhere, but you’ve pretty effectively cut your ties here. Do yourself a favor and quit now.
131 jud // Jan 14, 2009 at 12:43 am
They are constantly running and hiding from the Burmese army. One 62-year-old Karen man said he believed he had fled in fear more than 100 times in his life. They build makeshift shelters in the jungle wherever they can and plant fields that might never see a harvest. With only the clothes on their backs and a few tools in their hands, they build schoolhouses from bamboo and try to give their children an education. More than anything, the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) of Eastern Burma try desperately to keep a candle of hope burning in their hearts.
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=14900
From Daniel Pedersen
http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/1529-karen-rebels-under-the-gun-along-thai-burma-border.html
http://democracyforburma.wordpress.com/2009/01/13/karen-human-rights-field-report-1312009-rural-development-and-displacement-spdc-abuses-in-toungoo-district/
132 jud // Jan 14, 2009 at 12:46 am
cartoon Tadmadaw
http://democracyforburma.wordpress.com/2009/01/10/tadmadaw-junta-army-by-hanlay/
133 Mary // Jan 15, 2009 at 10:17 am
Here’s a novel idea: take an internet site with a public thread and turn it in to a domain to fight a presonal, private war so that the people who actually want to learn something about, and perhaps assist those poverty stricken, seemingly peaceful people at heart cannot do so without filtering through the BS.
I suggest some of you take a look at Mr. Blemings’ photos that he mentioned and realize those people need nourishment, tools, housing, etc., before they can ever effectively do battle? Start with the basics.
Why don’t you warriors give up the assistance of armed struggle, and help those people grow their own food and market their wares? Give a man a fish, and he could feed himself for a day. TEACH him how to fish, and he can feed himself for a lifetime.
134 Dave // Jan 15, 2009 at 11:54 am
Hi Mary,
great idea, get rid of the BS. Also, let’s turn weapons into plow shears as well. The only problem is that when you do all that you have suggested the Burmese military comes aong, confiscated their food (fish included), burns down their houses, schools and places of worhsip. Then they rape the women and girls, butcher and torture the menfolk (probably as they are learning how to fish). You see Mary, the Karen and other ethnic minorities know how to do all that you have suggested, they simply want to stay alive and in most cases, they are having to fight to preserve their right to self determination and democratic freedoms. I wish the solution you suggest is possible, but you have to deal with the reality on the ground. I suggest you take a trip to the border region and see for yourself why your suggestions are nobel, but some why off the mark. I suggest you read a copy of “The Irrawaddy” newspaper (google it) and you will have some idea as to what the real sitiuation is in Burma. The Karen and other ethnic groups are fighting for their survival, not to overthrow a military dictatorship.
135 Charles F. // Jan 15, 2009 at 11:57 am
Mary,
People do come in and try to assist the Karen in growing crops, etc. And then the SPDC/DKBA come along and steal the crops, murder the farmers, and then plant landmines so that no more crops can be planted in that particular place.
Aid groups bring in building supplies, then assist the Karen people in erecting homes. The SPDC/DKBA then come along and burn the homes, kill the people, then plant landmines so that no one can return there.
Aid groups come into the area and build clinics to treat the sick and injured, as well as teach the people how to tend to their ill.
Then the SPDC/DKBA come al0ng and burn down the clinics, kill the people, then plant landmines so that people can’t return.
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the raping of women and children, looting anything of value, and drug smuggling.
Did I mention landmines?
I have a question for you: what planet are you from?
136 Freebird170 // Jan 15, 2009 at 4:26 pm
That seems pretty naive Mary. Why are the Karen malnourished, without tools, without housing? Is it because they are a quaint and simple folk with no knowledge of farming and construction? If that’s your belief I’d say read more before posting. They are without food, shelter, etc because SPDC likes to raid, demolish, and burn their villages and towns. How can you create an infrastructure without security? You can do this over and over again, but be prepared to lose it over and over again at the cost of resources. I know of one medical clinic built recently, which very recently was torched by SPDC. I don’t know that foreign volunteer fighters are helping win the battle, but they do lift morale.
I’m willing to bet you are one of those safe, sheltered, well educated (not that I have anything against education) people who is thoroughly disgusted with violence to the point of pacifism. I would agree with you, when possible, nonviolence is the best strategy to resolve issues, as after conflict is resolved stability is more likely. However, nonviolent strategy requires media coverage, and international cooperation. The junta’s stranglehold on media and media transmitting sources make it very difficult to effectively bring observable proof of human rights transgressions to the outside world. Beyond that, they are protected by China and Russia on the UN security council. Because of that, they have nothing to fear from international nonviolent activism. Even the pro democratic US maintains diplomatic relations with the junta. The junta is able to afford DC lobbying firms to maintain its relations with US representatives, which is more than the exile government can claim.
Imagine Gandhi’s various exploits without newspaper coverage. How effective would it have been if the world had not been able to pay attention to the British slayings of Indian civilians? If there had been no international outrage, no ability to mobilize Indians, no repercussions for the Brits, would India be free? At the very least, one can agree it would have happened much later. Beyond that, you need major news organizations providing repeated coverage of atrocities to be effective, not just small academic isolated news orgs. The difference between martyrdom and suicide is press coverage, and Burma warrants none.
No, leverage is necessary for the junta to fall apart. Security is needed for the infrastructure to be built. Do not look down on soldiers because you have distaste for their skillset. They will be able to solve problems that skinny college students cannot. You are right about one thing, the Karen do need supplies and resources to fight. It will be necessary to create some sort of trade under the SPDC and Thai radar, or for surrounding countries to change their positions. It looks like it could be possible for Thailand to change their position with the new PM coming in. Let’s all hope for that.
Either way, my point is that your disdain for soldiers shows your naivete, and you should consider how many attempts at humanitarian aid have already come to pass in Karen territory. You should furthermore consider how many of these attempts have failed due to SPDC interference. Violence and nonviolence must be used together in one cohesive strategy for progress to be made. Simply because you are of one persuasion does not mean you should look down upon the other.
137 Mary // Jan 15, 2009 at 7:35 pm
For all you religious and non-religious fanatics who are attempting to force your so-called education and beliefs on the natives of that area could possibly stand to educate yourselves of their basic cultural beliefs first. Perhaps you could gain something precious that is non-material. Knowledge and understanding. Shoot first, ask questions later approaches only succeed in creating confusion and distrust, and in a worst case scenario, fosters hatred. Remember, their lives lie in the balance, yours only if you choose. Respect of their ways should be a priority. Domestic unrest throughout world history has seldom had a happy ending for all involved. Your bullets and brains contributions will not balance the odds. More killings, how impressive. But then,perhaps it is too complicated to battle your own ignorance.
138 daniel pedersen // Jan 15, 2009 at 10:48 pm
I’ll take you inside Mary.
The SPDC just burned down fish holding tanks that Karen soldiers had caught to feed their families.
The SPDC just burned down a clinic treating more than 800 people from surrounding villages for predominantly malaria and dysentry.
The SPDC just burned down a massive yet incomplete granary to store the hundreds of hectares of corn they stole from poor farmers.
Much of this was made available thanks to two organisations, one an Italian NGO, Popoli, the other headed by a very determined young woman who knows right rom wrong.
I’ll introduce you to her as well, she’s got photos of the granary she helped build smouldering.
Teach the Karen how to fish??!!
139 Mary // Jan 16, 2009 at 3:46 am
Thanks, guys. Glad to see you are back on track. I have no disdain for soldiers, am a high-school dropout, and am fully aware of the atrocities going on, so your thinking is off target. It’s easy to translate the fishing thing in the literal sense. BTW, I am from the third rock from the sun in this solar system, and firmly believe that humankind will be the destroyer of the home provided for them… and is doing a pretty good job, so far. Enough about me, you have greater work to do.
140 Nick Nostitz // Jan 16, 2009 at 5:28 am
Things are never that simple. It should be clear by now that the situation in Burma is not going to improve by armed minorities waging a war – because they cannot win. 60 years of fruitless warfare has proven that.
The best that can be achieved is a eventual collapse of the Burmese state, and that is not what will bring people freedom and development, but only further escalation.
The only minority sate that i have seen which a somewhat peaceful existence (for Burmese conditions) is Wa State, because they have made from a position of strength a peace agreement with the junta at the right time. That is a position the Karen once had, but have not anymore, and will not regain, regardless the dreams of some western soldiers and wannabees that i have seen posting here.
Listing the evils of the junta is rather fruitless, we know that already for a very long time, and nothing within the realm of the realistic has not been tried, including war, including western fighters getting involved, such as the Belgian-French contingent in the late 80’s early 90’s.
The only thing that is left now is finding ways how to slowly get the junta to change. The for Burmese conditions good collaboration with the UN and the NGOs recently is one step towards better cooperation.
Westerners getting involved in the fighting at the borders will not make one bit of difference in military terms (the Karen are by now, after 60 years of fighting, more than capable themselves to do their own fighting, when necessary), but it will be a serious hindrance in trying to get the paranoid junta to trust the west enough to be able to one day maybe see us as a force that will try to help Burma, and not just to invade the country.
Any western romantic wanna be freedom fighter with a gun at the border, and photos of that published, and news relayed to the Junta, will be counterproductive, and therefore does far more harm to Burma than good. And so do politically correct but mostly self serving boycott calls under which the poor have to suffer the most, as usual.
Burma is a nightmare, and many here in this discussion do contribute much that is stays that way. If one wants to engage in Burma, one should engage and assist in humanitarian aid, in the built of of a middle class, or in tedious negotiations.
But stop giving the people there the impression that the west would ever consider getting involved in a war there, that the west would ever spare the armies necessary to oust the junta, and to spend the years there necessary to dictate a peace.
That will not happen, not now, not ever.
141 Charles F. // Jan 16, 2009 at 7:55 am
Mary,
Just what is it that you’d like to see happen?
Are you confusing the people here with missionaries?
What is the knowledge and understanding that you think we are lacking in? I think that just about everyone on this forum is tuned in to events on the ground in Burma. That they don’t necessarily agree with you doesn’t make them less qualified to have an opinion on the subject.
A Gandhi style resistance to the junta won’t work in Burma, due to the simple fact that the generals don’t care what anyone thinks. They control the press in Burma, and couldn’t possibly care any less than they already do about the external press.
They have institutionalized rape and murder as governing tools. It may not be written into the constitution, but it’s a well documented fact of life there.
If anyone needs to educate themselves on the situation in Burma, I think it’s you.
142 daniel pedersen // Jan 16, 2009 at 11:06 am
The armed contingencies in Karen State, for one, are concerned with two things only: protecting the populace and their own survival.
Even the leaders fully accept the fact they cannot ‘win’ as things are now. Their main concern is ensuring the SPDC does not win.
For if the SPDC were to ‘win’ all of the ethnic minorities and their cultural ways would become trinkets of history, only dug up by scholars in decades and centuries to come.
Everyone involved is sick of the fighting.
The children of the original proponents of this stoic campaign of resisitance now have their own children and they don’t want to see their lives spent in struggle.
So for now they do their best to protect their women and children from maurauding armed units of their own supposed government.
These people have thousands of years of history, to suggest they don’t know how to survive, shelter and feed themselves far better than most people on the face of the planet is foolishness.
And they do it in a low-impact manner.
So while the ‘international community’ either sits around wringing its hands about what to do about the generals or plots how best to exploit Burma’s natural resources, these practical people just want people to stop shooting at them.
Resistance fighters are important for people’s morale, their hopes are built on people willing to lay down their lives for them knowing they can’t ‘win’.
Freebird has posted the most sensible thing I’ve seen on this forum to date, good on you.
143 Charles F. // Jan 16, 2009 at 11:56 am
Nick Nostitz,
If press reports are to be believed, the Wa are now squarely in the sights of the SPDC. The UWSA has been given the ultimatum to disarm – or else. And the UWSA has replied by going into overdrive to restock on weapons and ammunition.
Negotiating with the junta is pointless. They break every promise as soon as it suits them. Point in case is the Manerplaw accords, which they violated before the ink even dried.
At the moment, the junta is using the DKBA to do their dirty work, waging genocidal war against the Christian Karens and the KNLA.
I wonder if the DKBA ever think about the future – what their fate will be after the SPDC has no more use for their services.
In regards to foreigners assisting the KNLA, this is an argument that will never end. While some, such as yourself, feel that they’re a detriment to peace in the area, there are others, such as myself, who believe that they are (or can be) a positive influence.
You’re not he first person to complain about foreigners assisting the KNLA. But I’ve noticed the people never want to discuss the French mercenaries guarding the pipelines, the Israeli mercenaries advising the Burmese secret police, or the many Chinese advisers assisting the SPDC.
144 Freebird170 // Jan 16, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Mary, it’s clear that you don’t have a solution to the problem. Congratulations, you’re right about the world going to hell in a handbasket, but when hasn’t that been the case? All we have to do is understand their culture? Ok.
Nick is of the appeasement crowd. All we have to do is stop resisting the junta, and they will stop committing atrocities! Then instead of solidifying power for one strong man after another, they will slowly transition to democracy just like China didn’t! The junta doesn’t honestly believe we plan to invade, that is simply the excuse they give to their citizens. They do what they want to do. The “slow boat to Democracy” approach is also the surest way for ASSK to die in imprisonment.
Unfortunately appeasement won’t work. Again, there is no leverage from the nonviolent resistance. These people are too busy getting good jobs and going back to a normal life to worry about pushing for Burma. Even when they do, the junta is still protected from any international action.
I agree that foreign volunteers will not solve the problem. The problem will include violence, however. Violence will provide the leverage that the nonviolent resistance will not. Violence in the jungle is not good enough however. You need to hit the generals where it hurts: Their wallets, their families, their lives. When they have the choice of losing their lives/family members versus stepping down in exchange for amnesty, I think the choice will be easy, and there will be many who will defect even if the generals refuse to compromise. A well organized effort is required, not a rag-tag jungle war. It is the only way I see democracy being restored.
I disagree that foreign fighters are giving the Karen the illusion of Western intervention. I don’t think than any leaders in Karen state believe that. I also disagree that foreign soldiers will be necessary to maintain peace. I think if ASSK can be installed, stability is quite possible. The war is no longer about ethnicity, all sides agree to a federal style democracy.
If you had a well organized violent movement in areas that affect the junta to supplement the nonviolent movement, results could be seen quite quickly. Otherwise you will see at least 20 more years of atrocity and violence.
145 jud // Jan 17, 2009 at 12:46 am
Next battle against Karen rebels soon
by Daniel Pedersen
Friday, 16 January 2009 17:04
Maesot (Mizzima) – The Karen National Liberation Army’s Special Battalion 103 is being reinforced with troops of the KNLA’s Sixth Brigade’s 201st Battalion south of Thailand’s border town of Mae Sot.
The Special Battalion 103 in the past week has lost its base camp and for the past seven days has been moving constantly, deflecting their enemies – Burmese Army soldiers – with terrestrial mines and directional Claymore mines.
The vicious battle for the region surrounding Thailand’s Phop Phra district has see-sawed back and forth across Thailand’s northern border with Burma since June 30 last year.
http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/1564-next-battle-against-karen-rebels-soon-.html
146 jud // Jan 17, 2009 at 12:52 am
On the morning of the 14th of January 2009 the Thai military came to the village and forced the people to leave their homes accusing the villagers of supporting drug and people trafficking. Another challenge of the soldiers was to close the school. They threatened to destroy the school if the people would not obey. read all
http://democracyforburma.wordpress.com/2009/01/16/border-news-km44-school-parents-and-students-chased-away-help-wihout-frontiers/
147 Mary // Jan 17, 2009 at 2:37 am
Freebird, you’re right, I do not have a solution to the problem, nor the resources to resolve it. However, I am also not part of the problem. I also do not think Nick is of the appeasement crowd. He did not suggest that resistance should desist. He did however, mention something about slowly getting the junta to change. Those people have been fighting for so many years, it has become a habit with them. Change requires openmindedness, vision, willingness, effort, diplomacy, and in this case, some divine intervention would not hurt. If you have never seen even a minor argument resolved when the parties involved reached an understanding, agreed to disagree, and in some cases, become comrades, often because of their differences, you are missing something in life. The military has a habit of beating people down, only to build them up to become strong soldiers. Strength, however does not always mean muscles.
148 Nick Nostitz // Jan 17, 2009 at 6:42 am
“Charles F.”, “Freebird170″:
No, i am not of the “appeasement crowd” – if it means to cease all resistance, and trust that the junta will suddenly turn nice. We know they won’t.
But i am not carrying these illusion about “organized efforts” ever being made. These are pipe dreams that have been around forever, and have never materialized.
And what happens with the disorganized efforts – we have at the last uprising well enough: people rise up, people get killed, news are made, the world is outraged for a few weeks, and has forgotten it by now.
One of the problems is that the minorities and the democracy movement have never been able to work with each other. If anyone here has ever been in Mannerplaw before it fell, and seen the chaos there, then no more explanation is needed.
There are also reasons why the DKBA split, and it is not just because the Junta is evil, but also because there was oppression of Buddhist (and Animist) Karen by the mostly Christian leadership.
Of course the Karen and other minorities have to fight and defend themselves. But at the same time negotiations have to happen. And it has to be accepted that these negotiations are tedious, and we will see only very slow improvement over the next 20 or so years.
That is a sad reality.
Foreign fighters are very little use in these days, but a huge difficulty for people actually involved in negotiations. Foreigners are far more important in humanitarian aid, at negotiation tables (and yes, foreign mercenaries that are employed by the junta are a disgrace).
Burma needs foreign investment though, a middle class has to be built. That is one of the future hopes for Burma.
And Burma needs tourists.
Things are not that black and white though. The minorities have made huge mistakes, their human rights record isn’t clean either (it of course pales compared to the junta’s miserable record), and also Aung San Suu Kyi is not exactly without blemish (last year a very good article was published by U Tant’s son Thant Myint-U about some of these issues).
Fact is, ugly as it sounds, that there will be no peace without working with the military in Burma. And that means some more than uncomfortable compromises.
If anybody here has a better suggestion, i am keen on hearing it. But dreams of armed uprisings with rag tag armies of foreign volunteer fighters – please stop dreaming.
149 Freebird170 // Jan 17, 2009 at 9:04 am
Mary, I do not think you understand the nature of our enemy. This conflict isn’t about some disagreement. What would happen if they Karen just decided to trust SPDC and hand over their arms? They’d all be dead tomorrow. You’re crazy to believe that SPDC has any desire for reconciliation. Even if the generals wanted to reconcile, do you know the kinds of animals they’re using to fight the KNLA? Even if the generals were just “misunderstood,” many of their soldiers would go on raping, killing, and looting sprees.
Mary, I know I’ve been a bit hard on you, and I don’t mean to discourage your good spirit. You’re clearly a very nice person. Some problems can’t be fixed by resolving everyone’s feelings. Sometimes group A doesn’t fight group B because of resentment or anger, they fight them because they want their land, resources, etc. You can’t mediate that, feelings aren’t involved.
I think you ARE adding to the problem with your naivete, discouraging other people who are willing to provide assistance by trying to convince them they are doing wrong, when you clearly don’t understand the nature of the subject. I don’t mean offense, and your compassion is a good thing, but it’s misguided in this case.
Furthermore, what Nick is talking about requires at least 20 more years of atrocity. People will die either way, but it’s better to die on your feet than on your knees.
150 Mary // Jan 18, 2009 at 6:07 am
Freebird 170, I am of the belief that if the junta wanted them all dead, they could have accomplished that long ago. Instead, they choose to play cat-and-mouse with them. The Karen are being used for target practice, so to speak. Many of them would be better put to use as the middle class that Nick speaks of. I may never be able to understand what my ancestors did what they did to the natives of the American continent, nor why their decendents smuggled African slaves back to their native land. Other ancestors were exiled from France for being too rebelious.
I am not trying to convince anyone that they are doing wrong, just that some of need to listen as loudly as we talk. You seem to me to be looking for someone to oppose you before you fully comprehend their position. If you want argument, find someone else to argue with. I’m too busy trying to keep peace in my own home.
151 Mary // Jan 18, 2009 at 9:23 am
jud, thanks for the input.
Daniel, I’d accept your offer, but most likely would not fit the criteria for sharing your mosquito net. you would perhaps be more disappointed than i am.
Freebird, no offence taken, my feelings seldom get involved during discussion or debate. However, I have been known to raise my voice a bit…A LOT, actually!
and lastly, does anyone know where I can get info on animism in hard copy?
Nick, keep fighting the good fight.
My apologies to all for speaking out of turn.
152 Totila // Jan 18, 2009 at 10:54 am
One should be wary of the past as analogy but the structural dynamics in Burma are not unique in any real historical sense. Different context can possibly provide clues to direction and duration of conflict but the best analysis is mostly after the fact. Still, when there have been murderous regimes, there have been oppositions, some more united than others with divisions occurring along a variety of fault lines: ideology, ethnicity, religion, social class, family or clan. That someone or some group opposing a murderous regime might have blemishes should be blindingly obvious but how far can that be taken? For example, the German opposition to Hitler contained posthumous candidates for secular sainthood (Sophie Scholl) as well as (to the utter shame of at least part of the opposition) someone like SS Einsatzgruppen B leader Arthur Nebe, a mass murderer on a truly epic scale.
That the regime be brought down and ended decisively was compelling without doubt (and, btw Germany did have the middle class, educated elite and civic organizations that some observers see as what will lead Burma out of the morass and tame the junta if given “more” time) and in this case it took violence, a lot of it, although granted the internal opposition’s part was minuscule. Mass violence is certainly not always the answer (e.g. South Africa, though one should not forget the ANC was armed and active) and should not be resorted to carelessly or even with desire, but there are situations, rare one hopes, where one has nothing else left and moral suasion, sanctions, demarches, or even magic lanterns have failed to do the trick. In Burma, there are some opposition figures that are venal and more concerned with personal interest. No question. If this injects a small note of realism, fine, but should it be used to hint at a moral equivalence between the two? Such distinctions might be lost upon, for example, frightened IDPs huddled in the forests or someone in Insein jail doing a decade’s long sentence for the heinous crime of comedy.
The posture of Burma’s remaining armed minority groups is largely defensive and, in the case of the Karen, they have made several attempts at negotiating either a peaceful resolution or a ceasefire in situ. The posture of Burma’s political opposition (minorities, 88, NLD, and others) is certainly far, far , far more principled than that of the junta.
The junta seeks at the very best a façade to ensure that the well-compensated men in olive-green dictate politics from on high. If the Naypyitaw regime leaders could suddenly experience an epiphany; or if the complete removal of sanctions (political and economic) would allow the generals to herald a new dawn rather than simply diversify their armaments purchases (highly doubtful IMO), or if the SPDC could simply one day fall down in a heap like a brain-addled boxer in the ring and fail to get up, well that would be fine. Very sadly, since it has never produced a “De Klerk” to hand over the baton to the opposition’s “Mandela”, the SPDC may well have to be shoved aside by a massed citizenry that finally succeeds (maybe with help from the regime’s regional supporters who calculate the odds and stop supporting it) despite a potentially severe cost or, more likely, be brought down from within by Burmese, blemishes aside, who in the end act, whether knowingly or not, in their country’s interest and in its possible future.
153 Charles F. // Jan 18, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Mary and Nick Nostitz
Mary,
From reading your posts it appears to me that you know little or nothing about the Karens and their struggle. Nor do you seem to want to. That’s just my take on it.
I would suggest that you obtain a copy of “Revolution as Development: The Karen Self-Determination Struggle Against Ethnocracy (1949-2000) ” by Jack Fong. You can read it online at Google, or purchase a copy.
Nick Nostitz,
I really, really hope that your sentence, “But dreams of armed uprisings with rag tag armies of foreign volunteer fighters – please stop dreaming.” isn’t a reference to the moronic idea of a Karen Foreign Legion as one individual on here has suggested.
I just can’t seem to wrap my head around the idea of Karen guerrillas sitting around a campfire, singing, “Le boudin ” or marching through the jungle at 88 steps to the minute.
Additionally, calling the various Westerners who assist the KNLA – and other groups – from time to time, mercenaries is inaccurate. I don’t know of any of them who have been paid. Some of them are idealists, others adventurers. But none are mercenaries in the true sense of the word.
But that aside, I disagree with your premise that they add little to the Karen cause. I would submit to you that by their mere presence they boost the morale of the Karen soldiers. Just by the simple fact of putting boots on the ground they’re showing the Karens that they’re not forgotten; that people still care about them and consider their cause worthy enough to risk life itself.
I’m not referring to the various jackballs who show up from time to time, flitting into camps for a day or so, then scurrying back to Mae Sot to tell bullshit war stories over beer.
There are guys who have spent months and years – the best years of their lives in some cases – training, and fighting alongside the men of the KNLA. Several have died, many others have been terribly wounded. You do them a severe disservice to lump them in with men who fight only for money.
Lastly, seeing as you’re a German, have you ever read, “Other Losses” by James Bacque, or “A Terrible Revenge: The Ethnic Cleansing of the East European Germans, 1944-1950″ by Alfred-Maurice de Zayas?
154 Nick Nostitz // Jan 18, 2009 at 11:18 pm
“Charles F. “:
Yes, my sarcasm was mainly directed at one individual here, but also at sentiments that have been seen several times in this discussion.
I do understand your point about the moral, yet i do not completely agree. Humanitarian aid workers do boost the moral as well. Neither do i disrespect the people who have fought alongside the Karen, a friend was one of the guys from that Belgian-French contingent.
But i do believe that the foreign fighters do more harm than good by their mere presence at the borders. Negotiations happen all the time with the Junta, and have to happen. The existence of foreign fighters are a bit of a problem there.
“The nature of the enemy”. Sorry, but they are consisting of people, conscripted soldiers, career soldiers, civil servants, followers, etc. – they are humans.
During one assignment in Burma i had to have an MI escort, and of course spent much time with them while working. Over the days, we got to talk more and more, at the end we even got drunk together. And that “enemy” was simply a couple of humans caught in a terrible mess, like every Burmese is.
I don’t know how else to describe this, but that episode made me think a lot about many of my views on Burma.
Anyhow, no, i haven’t read those books, but as a German aristocrat from eastern descent – i grew up with those tales of rape, pillage and murder, many not to dissimilar of what ethnic minorities have had to endure for far too long. I have many relatives who have lost everything when they were ethnically cleansed out of their homes.
But there is a time when people have to move ahead, and let the past be past.
155 Moe Aung // Jan 19, 2009 at 5:55 am
Mary, fighting here is not a habit, it’s a necessity once you’ve run out of options and nowhere to flee to. Just can’t fish without a gun in your hand any more, mind.
Nick, I agree the presence of foreign fighters only plays into the hands of the generals, grist to their propaganda mill. You are also right about the Wa negotiating from a position of strength, and yes, the DKBA split from the KNLA was an accident waiting to happen, an unsurprising subtext to the same kind of negligence/ injustice in the broader national context.
What you said about Burmese soldiers applies equally to ordinary German and Japanese soldiers caught up in the War, I’d allow even the professional soldiers of the western powers fighting foreign wars today as of yore. Remember Hitler was a lovely uncle by all accounts.
Waiting for another quite generous 20 years of more of the same, hoping the generals are on the road to Damascus given more ‘constructive engagement’ sounds more of a forlorn hope than “organised effort”. There will be no peace so long as the generals rule the country, for fighting to subjugate, oppress and exploit is what they do. Disarm, surrender and submit is their undestanding of negotiation. Charles F. is right in this. A long record of failed or meaningless peace parleys stands testament to this.
Charles, I’d say your foreign fighters keep a low profile, best heard and not seen. Don’t willingly take on the role of the bogeyman, best not to brag about it anyway. I’m sure the Karen leadership has wised up to the counterproductive effect it has vs. the benefit.
Humanitarian aid and organisations, on the other hand, must keep up the pressure and keep a high profile. They are more effective than state players as deterrants against oppression and as practical material help, at the same time providing states an indirect channel of assistance without becoming an accessory to the junta’s misrule by direct investment. More than enough of that from the neighbours, thank you.
There appears to be no danger of a’ De Klerk’ in the foreseeable future. No ‘Umkhonto we Sizwe’ with the NLD, not that ASSK, ‘our Mandela’, would agree to one such unlike her father, nor that the NLD, bound and gagged even without aspiring to armed struggle, would have been allowed one. The junta knows China is the deterrant against western invasion, their ace insurance policy.
I agree broadly with Freebird170 and Totila. The regime can only be brought down by the people. Nobody’s perfect, and even if ‘all chiefs and no Indians’ applies to the Burmese more than any other nation on earth, they must try and unite. Both violent and non-violent strategies need to be employed. Each has an essential role to play, seperately and in concert . They are by no means mutually exclusive except perhaps to some dovish liberals of which unfortunately our sainted ASSK seems to be one. Yes, an “organised effort” please, a new united front of all the peoples. Call it wishful thinking, doomsayers may well be proved wrong.
156 Nick Nostitz // Jan 19, 2009 at 7:15 am
“Moe Aung”:
Most points in your post i absolutely agree with.
One major point is that China is a very strong deterrent. I do try to understand the fix China is in, somewhat. China can’t of course afford animosities with Burma, in the global race for resources, China needs a friendly government in Burma, and of course it could not possibly afford the West – its global competitor – waging a war, and snapping up Burmese resources in at China’s doorstep. That politics – the west does rarely get involved in wars where there is no benefit for the west.
I do not believe in boycotting Burma. As long as there is China, no boycott will be successful, and the West simply could not afford to also boycott China.
There is no other choice than direct investment, even though this is ugly in many ways. Also, a bit of the money earned through tourism and direct investment does go to the people. A small percentage, but some.
I have no solution for Burma, i don’t think that there is a realistic solution, especially in the short term. I wish it would be different. There is only a multilayered approach of the different schools of thought, and that includes “constructive engagement”.
I wish we could see a united front against the junta, but so far, i have very little hope that anything is coming up. The last uprising was brutally crushed.
When i was still around the borders, i have seen so much mistrust between the minorities, and between the minorities and ethnic Burmans. So many accusations of spies (not unfounded, unfortunately) in each others camp, and a vastly superior Burmese military.
And of course the Burma “issue” is so easy politics, everybody can identify him- or herself with it, western governments can score brownie points when doing some politically correct statement on injustice in Burma, and can obfuscate its own bit of dirt in other parts of the world.
So has everybody applauded the Bush’s strong statements at the time of Nargis, yet few have actually thought that such statements may have been a hindrance in ongoing negotiations to allow Aid organizations in, especially when at the time US naval vessels were just off shore from Burma, fueling the junta’s paranoia of foreign invasions.
What to do?
157 Moe Aung // Jan 19, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Unprepared, unsupported, unco-ordinated and above all untimely uprisings cannot succeed, although extreme repression and desperate poverty will lead to unrest that often reaches a boiling point and explodes, ready or not on the part of the opposition. That’s wherein the gap between leadership and the mass of the populace lies. The NLD was never prepared for this kind of eventuality albeit it was itself born out of a major uprising.
Yes, ASSK and Burma makes a favourite point scoring issue for the western leaders and a convenient cover to hide their hideous acts elsewhere. Everybody needs to work together for a united front if they are serious about real change in Burma. I see no alternative or Burma’s hell on earth will never come to an end.
158 Dave // Jan 19, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Well said Moe Aung. United we stand, divided we fall, odes too well to the situation in Burma.
159 aiontay // Jan 20, 2009 at 2:11 am
Has there ever been a prepared, supported, timely uprising? The American Revolution, despite years of apparent preparation, was pretty messy and uncoordinated for years; the British came close to suppressing it more than once. The Communists didn’t start the revolution in Russia, and Sun Yat Sen wasn’t the one that lead the actually revolt that overthrew the Ching dynasty. Mao had to spend years in the literal wilderness. Aung San initially backed the wrong side, and was only able to succeed due to a timely switch. It would seem to me that vey few groups ever planned a successful uprising, but instead co-opted them.
I do think the NLD hasn’t done much to position itself to co-opt any uprising, in part because they haven’t done much reaching out to the ethnic minorities.
160 Freebird170 // Jan 20, 2009 at 6:15 am
Thanks to Totila and Moe Aung for making my points while I was away. To be honest Nick, I think you could institute regime change with less than 100 well supplied, well trained, and well armed men. Put them in the cities, use them against the regime’s oppression engine (USDA, Swan Arr Shin, and of course SPDC). Make it frightening for officers to follow orders thoroughly. Break up the chain of command a little bit. It should be relatively simple to do considering SPDC’s state of morale. When the mass uprising happens again, said men can also buy serious time for the revolution by sabotaging roads, holding off soldiers, etc. A good armed group can do much. Organizing these men isn’t a fairy tale, getting the money to do it might be.
It may be difficult getting the peaceful resistance to work with the violent resistance, only because the peaceful side is afraid of losing support from western governments. BTW, as someone who has sat in on NCGUB meetings, let me tell you, the peaceful resistance has NOTHING up their sleeve, and little in the way of motivation. We need to expand the front.
Regarding the nature of the enemy, they may be people individually, but in groups they cannot afford to have mercy. I don’t harbor hatred for the individual soldiers, MI, etc, but it doesn’t mean we should have pity until the job is done. I see plenty of room for them in the new society. However, they are standing in the way of the people’s freedom to life, liberty, and property. The people have not only a right, but a duty to fight them, according to John Locke at least.
Regarding foreign soldiers, I see their use in a training and morale role rather than as sheer numbers to fight with. I suppose I’m not concerned with negotiations, but then again, I think that the defensive jungle war is on its way out regardless. I think the urban war needs to be initiated while the jungle war is occurring. I think we have limited time to work with.
Mary, I agree with you that listening is important. I think it’s necessary to understand a conflict the best you can before getting involved at all. I don’t think this conflict is morally ambiguous by any means however. I think there are clearly defined “good guys” and “bad guys” in this situation. Again, I apologize if I’ve come across as hostile, I certainly hold no ill will towards you. I do believe you need a better understanding of the conflict before you lecture us though.
Nick, allow me to step back and apologize, es tut mir leid. Perhaps using the term appeasement is going too far. As Moe Aung says though, I think a well organized effort is more likely to happen than a “live and let live” approach from the junta. I certainly appreciate your sentiment that KNLA is not winning, and that it seems as though their resistance is both fruitless and pointless. I think, however, even if you successfully negotiated a peaceful ceasefire tomorrow, many people would be killed, imprisoned, raped, etc, and you’d only have a steeper hill to climb next time. I think a negotiated ceasefire would only result in less momentum, and less leverage for us.
Sometimes I must admit that I waffle on the point of sanctions. Sometimes I think that perhaps without the sanctions, we’d have more money to fight the junta, but in the end I always come back to how impressive the SPDC’s arsenal would be after the sanctions ended. We are pretty lucky in a lot of ways, their complete lack of airforce for example. Thank GOD we don’t have to deal with bombers and HIND helicopters as it is. I can only imagine if they had the money to purchase and maintain those things. I don’t know, it is as difficult to swallow the sanctions as it is to accept reality without them.
Anyways, my point is that we need to continue the struggle or lose momentum and leverage. If we go back to zero, we will have to start from scratch (although maybe that wouldn’t be a bad thing, haha) All the struggle needs is money. With more money, KNLA would be in a much better position. With more money, we could start an insurgency against the generals. With more money I suppose we could do a lot of things, but I imagine I will have to keep dreaming. I’m enjoying the discussion with you all though, I must admit
161 Moe Aung // Jan 20, 2009 at 6:37 am
Agreed, aiontay, that’s just it, the very nature of uprisings. And talk about best laid plans. Still, any group working for change must prepare themselves with the finger on the pulse and seize the day. Unless the NLD changes tack, transforms itself and contemplates the hopelessness of being driven by events rather than planning ahead, come the fire next time, it will be swept aside and assigned to the dustbin of history.
162 jud // Jan 20, 2009 at 8:16 am
This is the only translated article about situation rite now, the others about “challenging” are in burmese.
http://burmadigest.info/2009/01/18/political-criticism-in-good-faith-on-ncub/
163 Freebird170 // Jan 20, 2009 at 11:20 am
I’m hearing all of these things about the Dublin conference lately. I too would like to see a change in peaceful revolution leadership… but I don’t know how one could realistically implement that. I wouldn’t suggest starting a new organization though, that’s for sure. We have 10,000 different exile govt orgs, all doing nothing. As another of my good friends says, “10,000 times nothing is still nothing.”
164 Mary // Jan 20, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Freebird, thanks. Exactly my point…i do and am trying to gain a better understanding. That was no lecture, by the way. i am just a tourist here who noticed cyber bullets being fired, and thought some diversion would help. lol. So i am spending as many golden moments as possible perusing this thread, as well as various links of interest.
i found KHCPS to have some of the information i needed. btw, Gandhi is one historical figure I have always admired.
165 Charles F. // Jan 20, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Freebird170 is correct in his statement regarding foreign soldiers in a training and morale mode. There is no need to involve foreign volunteers in combat roles.
They should be kept way out of harms way, and instead be utilized in training fighters in strategy and tactics. Western soldiers have much to offer in this area.
Additionally, he is also correct in supporting the idea of taking the war directly to the doorsteps of the junta. Small teams operating in the cities would have a devastating effect on the morale of the junta.
At present, the officers of the junta see themselves as masters of all they survey. How their lives would change if they knew that everytime they left home they would be a target – on the street, in a store, at the barbers, at their mistress’.
How comfortable would they be to know that their own wives and children were in mortal danger, just as the women and children of the Shan, Mon, Karen and Wa are?
For those of you who might state that the resistance shouldn’t lower themselves to the level of the junta, I submit that this may be the only way to counter the overwhelming firepower and numbers of the junta.
It wouldn’t take more than a hundred or so men and women to do it, nor would it take very long.
I have long felt that the junta is a house of cards. It is run by old men, hiding in fortified garrisons, issuing orders. They are like the man behind the curtain in The Wizard of Oz. Don’t look behind the curtain.
The entire apparatus of the regime is based on, run on, fear. The average soldier is in fear of his superior, who is in turn in fear of someone higher up. And so on and on.
The trick is to skip a few people and go for the colonels and majors. Then the system will rapidly begin to falter and break down.
Before you start in on me about what a cold blooded thing I’m proposing, I would state that the people of Burma don’t have twenty more years, or even ten more years. They need to act now.
166 daniel pedersen // Jan 20, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Hey Mary,
Any time you want to see for yourself, I will take you in, but perhaps a better staring point, and certainly safer, would be the refugee camps stretched along the border.
At the moment it is not safe for anyone.
This morning about 150 of us gathered at a Mya family compound to mark the late General Bo Mya’s life and give thanks for the New Year and the fact we are still alive.
Bo Mya would have been 82 today.
It was a moving and uplifting ceremony.
Every single person there wanted the war to takes its place on the shelves of history and gather dust.
But less than an hour’s drive from where we gathered between 300 and 400 men, three DKBA battalions and one SPDC battalion, had 100 KNLA soldiers surrounded at Wah Lay Kee, base camp of Sixth Brigade’s 201st battali0n.
They are now about 500m from the camp, poised to strike.
The same goes for 202 battalion, to Mae Sot’s north, but the enemy there is three battalions of SPDC, or about 300 men.
Mae Tawahwah, nearby, but further inside, is also reportedly full of SPDC reinforcements.
They are moving into position, but they have not yet attacked.
101 battalion, consisting of about 160 KNLA soldiers and seven nurses, to the northwest of Mae La refugee camp is involved in fighting daily.
And intense fighting has broken out in both Shan and Karenni states.
Nerdah bluntly says all this activity is a concerted push to quash insurgents before the 2010 ‘elections’ so the SPDC and its US public relations firms can manage an effective whitewash that will insitutionalise the miltary in the ‘democratic process’.
Dan
167 jud // Jan 21, 2009 at 1:54 am
Free Burma-NO for the new project of constitution-video by NLD addressed to Noble Peace Prize Winner Lech Walesa
from 2.01. Rangoon
http://democracyforburma.wordpress.com/2009/01/20/vdo-free-burma-„no-for-the-new-project-of-the-constitution-in-myanmar-rec201-rangoon/
168 jud // Jan 21, 2009 at 1:57 am
IDP LIST December 2008 NEW from TBBC.org
2008-12-dec-map-tbbc-unhcr.pdf
169 jud // Jan 21, 2009 at 2:05 am
even camps are not safe now.
170 Mary // Jan 21, 2009 at 4:38 am
Dan, thanks again for your offer, but there is currently more than enough need for me right here where i am. Figuratively speaking, it is a war zone right here.
171 windrunner // Jan 21, 2009 at 8:22 am
Mary,
Lusk is a war zone? You’re not talking about the one in Wy. are you? I’ve been in bathrooms that sounded more like a war zone than Lusk does on the 4th of July. Besides, any place over in that region is no place for a lady.
172 Charles F. // Jan 21, 2009 at 2:47 pm
I do believe that Windrunner is on to something. For what it’s worth, I’ve been thinking the same thing.
173 Charles F. // Jan 21, 2009 at 5:00 pm
I post on New Mandala as ‘Charles F.’ I am not ‘Freebird170′ or even ‘Windrunner’.
I’m also not the consul-general of Kawthoolei.
174 jud // Jan 22, 2009 at 3:45 am
Karen revolution and the legacy of General Bo Mya
by Daniel Pedersen
http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/1580-karen-revolution-and-the-legacy-of-general-bo-mya.html
175 jud // Jan 27, 2009 at 2:48 am
Burma Army Threatens and Attempts to Bribe Parents of Raped and Murdered 7-yr-old Girl in Karen State.
http://www.freeburmarangers.org/Reports/2009/20090124.html
176 jud // Jan 27, 2009 at 2:52 am
DKBA soldiers burn down huts, detain villagers and loot property in Thailand
http://www.khrg.org/khrg2009/khrg09b1.html
Pictures destroyed migrant village -44 km School – Thanks to Ko Moe and SAW
http://picasaweb.google.com/moejoe1962/44km2?authkey=guMGsR4NbG8#
177 jud // Jan 30, 2009 at 6:52 pm
watch the pics, maybe Daniel Pederson can translate for us
http://democracyforburma.wordpress.com/2009/01/29/khitpyaing-article-2301-dkba-gate-pass-myanmar/
178 daniel pedersen // Jan 30, 2009 at 11:11 pm
It’s about illegal immigrants being handed back at Thai gate No. 10 to DKBA gate No. 999, which coincides with a DKBA battalion number.
Thanks to Myat Thu for translating so quick
179 Charles F. // Jan 31, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Daniel,
Any thoughts about what will happen to these unfortunate souls, once they’re back in Burma? Any precedents to go by?
180 jud // Feb 1, 2009 at 12:21 am
Pictures 60.Karen Revolution Day
http://picasaweb.google.com/lunswe/60thKRD#
Thanks to Dr.Lun Swe
181 jud // Feb 1, 2009 at 12:38 am
Forever at the Frontline
January 31 marks the 60th anniversary of one of Asia’s oldest rebel movements—the Karen National Union (KNU). It is a day commemorated by Karen people all around the world.
http://www.irrawaddy.org/highlight.php?art_id=15037
182 jud // Feb 1, 2009 at 6:16 am
Refugee camp under threat
by Daniel Pedersen
Saturday, 31 January 2009 18:32
Mae Sot (Mizzima) – As night closes in on Noe Poh refugee camp, about five hours south of Mae Sot in northern Thailand bordering town with Burma, the road that skirts its edge clears of people.
http://www.mizzima.com/news/regional/1635-refugee-camp-under-threat.html
say hello to myat thu ma pi naa
183 jud // Feb 2, 2009 at 6:06 am
Amnesty Inter report 08
http://thereport.amnesty.org/eng/regions/asia-pacific/myanmar
184 jud // Feb 2, 2009 at 10:22 pm
The Phan Foundation was founded by the four children of Padoh Mahn Sha, the General Secretary of the Karen National Union, and Nant Kyin Shwe, in their memory. On 14th February 2008 Padoh Mahn Sha was assassinated by agents of Burma’s military dictatorship.
http://democracyforburma.wordpress.com/2009/02/02/phan-foundation-award-given-to/
185 jud // Feb 5, 2009 at 1:17 am
Attacks, killings and the food crisis in Papun District
http://www.khrg.org/khrg2009/khrg09f2.html
4.02.09
186 Scott Steele // Feb 9, 2009 at 9:32 am
I’m coming to Mae Sot in Late March, early April. I’m coming there for various reasons, but one of them isn’t to be an overweight fantasy merc wilting under the sun. However, I’m convinced that I can help in other ways.
I plan on at least a six month stay and in the two months before I leave I will be working on some rudimentary Thai language skills.
I have no connections there and it’s hard to tell what’s legitimate regarding the NGO scene. Anybody who wants to take me under their wing prior to and upon arrival would be appreciated as I don’t want to get myself in trouble due to my ignorance.
I can finance myself while I’m there and not depending on a paying job when I get there.
Thanks.
Scotty
187 Thomas Bleming // Feb 9, 2009 at 10:42 am
Scott,
Without someone waiting in Mae Sot to meet you, you should , for the moment start making some preparations to get in contact with someone prior to arriving. This would save you some possible time/trouble along the way.
Max stay in Thailand is three months on a tourist visa by the way. You can get a 90 day visa by applying at any Thai embassy.
188 Jack Slade // Feb 9, 2009 at 7:18 pm
I have not posted in a long time, but this is important. There have been some changes in government here in thailand and with that some of the visa policies have changed as well. Right now you can only get a 2 month tourist visa unless you have a job here that has been checked out and verified by the thai immagration office. However that visa can be renewed in 14 day 30 day or 60 day increments by jumping through a few small loopholes thereby allowing you to actually stay indeffinately if you have the funds to do so. If you cross the border into a neighboring country and pay the right price you can extend for 2 months at a time. I had a three month visa before enering thailand but when I arrived the rules had changed and only got two months so I had to make a border run to the immagration office to extend for a month. This doesn’t involve crossing any bridge/boarder but, does cost 1900 baht. I don’t know how much a two month visa cost but I would guess twice as much as a one month visa. I hope this helps and good luck in all of you endevours.
189 George P // Feb 12, 2009 at 1:16 am
Hi Dave (Everett),
I bought your book at Coolangatta airport on one of my many trips back and forth to Sydney from the Gold Coast and I couldn’t put it down. I was trying to look you up on the net to see if they’d made a documentary about you yet and I came across this site. Low and behold, Dave Everett is posting! Just wanted to say hi and I really enjoyed your book. You couldn’t have scripted a movie any better!
PS. I’m going for my JOES day in 2 weeks. Any pointers? I’d love to see the look on the interviewers face when I walk into my interview and tell them I’d chatted to Dave Everett about career options in the Defence Force.
Cheers,
George
190 Dave e // Feb 12, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Hi George,glad you enjoyed the book. Hope it put things in perspective for you. Good luck with the interview.Cheers,Dave
191 Scott Steele // Feb 15, 2009 at 12:49 pm
What do folks think about this?
http://please-help-burma.blogspot.com/2008/06/karen-armed-rebellion-in-burma-takes.html
I’m speaking in terms of alleging tacit US government approval of military assistance to the KNLA and implying that something big is coming to turn the tide.
Am I reading it incorrectly or is that ridiculous?
Of course I believe in not giving up, but you’ve got to deal with reality if your going to try and come up with effective ways to continue to resist in what appears (to me) to be a situation that’s getting bleaker.
I hope folks post more as I’m making a real effort to get up to speed in a short time. I like to hear what people have to say.
Here’s my contact info as well:
yttcs@msn.com
I left out the “o” and put my name backwards so the Junta can’t trace me. Damn! I gave it away.
192 Charles F. // Feb 15, 2009 at 3:13 pm
There is no tacit American approval for military assistance to the KNLA. Irregardless of what some may say, or believe, it isn’t true. You can take that to the bank.
193 Jack Slade // Feb 15, 2009 at 5:33 pm
The US has no invested commerical interests or enterprises that would benetfit from military involvement. Therefore politicians will do little to render anything more than verbal commentary about their dislike of the treatment of the Karen People and other ethnic groups beiing targeted by the SPDC.
That article is an old one that keep resurfacing.
Reguardless of who knew whomever was there the US will not be getting invovled in the immediate future., regretably.
194 jud // Feb 15, 2009 at 11:51 pm
1.Ann.Pado Mahn Sha,
Padoh Mahn Sha Lah Phan, General Secretary of the Karen National Union, was assasinated on 14th February 2008.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lunswe/1stPDMS#
195 Dave E // Feb 26, 2009 at 5:30 pm
The assassination of Phado Mahn Sha can best be explained by a former Pastor Timothy (of the pentecostle church), who is married to a New Zealand lady and has appointed himself as Major General in the Karen National Union Peace Party or a name similar to that (have forgotten). He set this party up with a small break away faction of the KNU/KNLA after he failed to be elected at a KNU Congress. He blamed Phado Mahn Sha directly for this failure. Timothy is not an ethnic Karen, but was adopted as a small child by a Karen family. His lineage is from the Gurkha of Nepal. His actions speak of a person who was rebuffed and in a jealous rage took it upon himself, with a small band of followers, to avenge his dismissal from the KNU and set about destroying it both politically and militarily. He is currently in hiding and his efforts to make a “peace” deal with the military junta in Burma have failed. All he has created is disunity and death. The motivation for his “peace deal” was to set up businesses in the Karen State, in conjunction with the military junta in Burma to benifit himself. The junta are not stupid, hence his efforts failed. A response from him on this matter would be much appreciated.
196 Daniel Pedersen // Feb 27, 2009 at 10:44 am
Dave,
I’m on him, he’s not in hiding.
I will get the bastard, on my friend’s honour.
Cheers,
Dan
197 Daniel Pedersen // Feb 27, 2009 at 11:00 am
One of the late General Bo Mya’s sons, Tay Lay Mya, has been excommunicated by the Karen National Union.
The former commander of a company attached to the Karen National Liberation Army’s Sixth Battalion was expulsed because of unauthorised peace negotiations with Burma’s ruling military junta, the State Peace and Development Council.
“I am yet to see any official communication, but the decision was taken about a month ago, as soon as we had confirmed he had been to Rangoon,” said KNU vice president, David Thackrabaw.
Tay Lay’s first visit to Rangoon, and reportedly Naypidaw, occurred in December last year.
At the time, just days before his departure, Tay Lay told this correspondent the meeting had been delayed because of the People’s Alliance for Democracy seizure of Bangkok International Airport.
A delegation of senior Thai generals, international observers from Australia and the United Kingdom and Tay Lay was waiting for the earliest opportunity to fly to Rangoon, he said.
Tay Lay said the Thai generals and the SPDC wanted border tensions eased to clear the way for lucrative trade deals.
The delegation included former KNLA Brigadier-General Htin Maung and allegedly the controversial “Pastor Timothy”, both considered traitors by the KNU.
In January 2007 former KNLA Seventh Brigade commander Htin Maung split to create the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army – Peace Council.
The SPDC has since asked Htin Maung to provide border security around Three Pagodas Pass – feeding into Thailand’s Kanchanaburi province, west of Bangkok – in exchange for a cut of revenues from tax “gates” between the neighbouring countries.
Some observers consider the late General Bo Mya to have pioneered the way for such deals with “gentleman’s” peace agreements with the SPDC.
Tay Lay’s attitude would seem to confirm this theory.
The late general’s youngest son specifically referred to meetings between his father and the SPDC.
“They [the SPDC] want to deal with Bo Mya’s family because the KNU is considered weak,” he said.
Htin Maung was one of Bo Mya’s cousins.
“But the Burmese knew Bo Mya was a man of his word and held huge respect among Karen people and if he said something would happen, it happened,” said Tay Lay on November 29, 2008.
“The last time my father met with them, they agreed to give back parcels of land in Seventh, Fourth and Fifth Brigade areas.”
He said the latest round of talks related to ceasefires in Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Brigade regions in return for parcels of land.
But David Thackrabaw was insistent Tay Lay’s actions had nothing to do with disenchantment with the KNU, but rather were motivated by his personal financial position.
Tay Lay’s wife was recently seriously ill and he was struggling to pay her hospital bill, forcing him to ask anyone that might come to his assistance for cash.
Asked how he thought the KNU would react to his meeting, Tay Lay said he didn’t think they would be “very happy”, which could go down as one of last year’s great understatements.
But he was unrelenting in his criticisms of the KNU, perhaps looking to disguise his family’s predicament.
He said he was confident he was charting the right course for the future survival of his people, victims of a campaign of genocide.
“I don’t care, the KNU must improve,” he said.
“When we are fighting the KNU doesn’t help, all the leaders live in Thailand and are happy to stay there. They are old men,” he said.
“But people can’t stay in their villages and are fleeing to Thailand and then end up in a third country [as a result of rapid international relocation programmes transplanting refugee camp populations from Thailand to various parts of the globe].
“This we have to stop,” said Tay Lay.
But these comments came from an exhausted man, who just weeks earlier had been at the wheel of his pickup every day, ferrying KNLA soldiers, food and arms to hotspots along the border, taking sleep when he could.
In his wife’s absence he nursed his son, a mere toddler, on many of the trips.
To then turn around and negotiate with the enemy seems erratic behaviour.
The most recent conversation this correspondent had with Tay Lay was last week, when he said he believed Htin Maung had chosen the right path.
“We must talk, some brigades, all they want to do is fight, but we are weak, we cannot just fight, yes there is a time for fighting, but there is also a time for talking,” he said in the Thai border town of Mae Sot.
Tay Lay then said he intended to return to talks with the SPDC.
Mention of this discussion raised David Thackrabaw’s eyebrows.
“He’s not still driving around and being seen in Mae Sot is he?” asked the KNU vice president.
“He shouldn’t stay here, he has to leave, [his continued presence] would constitute a corrupting influence for the others,” he said.
He said the only reason more severe punishment had not been meted out to Tay Lay was the deep respect the KNU leadership had for his mother Naw Lar Poe, Bo Mya’s widow.
“We don’t want to upset her, but his mother will have to deal with her son’s problem,” said David Thackrabaw.
Naw Lar Poe’s deep and unbending commitment to her people was the only reason Tay Lay “hasn’t been shot”, said David Thackrabaw.
ENDS
198 Charles F. // Feb 28, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Laklem is a skunk and opportunist of the first order. For him it’s all about power and prestige, not assisting the Karen people.
He snookered church groups in the U.S. to assist him in his dealings, and now he’s actively working with the SPDC.
I was told that he was hiding in Australia, but it appears that he has now returned to Rangoon. Hopefully the Australian government won’t allow him back in.
199 Chris A // Mar 22, 2009 at 3:09 am
Scott, not sure if you’ve already left for Mae Sot, but a couple of quick bits of advice:
Even since the changes to Thai visa regulations in late 2008, I believe you can still get a 2 x 60 day tourist visa to enter Thailand if you apply ahead of time at their embassy in your country of residence. I got one in 3 days by applying in person in Stockholm. While, technically, you should have a volunteer visa if you want to help out with an NGO or whatnot, it’s difficult to enforce such a regulation and the Thai police would only do so if you cause problems.
As for your Thai language skills, these are useful. However, in Mae Sot many people estimate 70-80 percent of people are of Burmese origin, from different ethnic backgrounds including Karen, Shan, Karenni, and also many Burmans. The most useful language for you would probably be Burmese, as many/most of the migrants and refugees in Mae Sot and the camps can speak Burmese. The Karen make up the majority of refugees, so it would be useful to speak some basic Karen if you can, although there is not just one Karen language (Sgaw Karen seems to be the more common in Mae La camp, while I’m told Pwo Karen is more common in Nu Poh and Umpiem Mai, not sure about the accuracy of these statements though).
200 jud // Mar 23, 2009 at 6:09 am
Jacob’s Well Church – Hope for the KaRen / Burma Struggle-VDO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f5UoeLAMm0&feature=channel_page
201 jud // Mar 23, 2009 at 6:11 am
VDO Free Burma’s Political Prisoners Now!
http://democracyforburma.wordpress.com/2009/03/16/vdo-free-burmas-political-prisoners-now/
please sign the petition on http://www.aappb.org/
202 Jack Slade // Apr 10, 2009 at 5:07 am
Here is a video about burma. give it a quick viewing. Thanks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y16WXzeFGcY&feature=email
203 gunnin // Apr 30, 2009 at 11:00 am
I understand that Americans cannot be recruited to fight. But what is the regulation on assisting in such fields as tactics, weapon useage and basic combat knowledge. I am well schooled in all of these and would like to do as much as possible to assist in the fight. I am an Iraq war veteran, and feel confident that I would be able to give some assistance.
Thank you
204 Charles F. // Apr 30, 2009 at 1:18 pm
There’s nothing to prevent you from going over and giving assistance. There isn’t one law on the books that can be enforced, regardless of what some people might tell you.
If there were, thousands of American jews would be in prison for serving in the Israeli army.
Not one American was ever prosecuted for fighting in Rhodesia.
Not one American was prosecuted for serving in the French Foreign Legion.
Or in the Canadian and British armies in WWI and WWII.
If you feel that you have something to offer them, go over and do it.
By the way, you DON’T need to buy any book on how to get there and make contact with the right people.
205 Freebird170 // Apr 30, 2009 at 2:55 pm
freebird170@gmail.com
I’d be interested in talking to you
206 gunnin // Apr 30, 2009 at 3:47 pm
CHARLES F.-
If you wouldn’t mind, i’d like to talk more about this to you. Here is my alternate if you will
gunnin4free@yahoo.com
I would appreciate the reply.
207 jud // Apr 30, 2009 at 6:59 pm
KNLA camp falls to SPDC forces
by Daniel Pedersen on Apr.28, 2009, under Burma reportage
This evening, at about 5pm, soldiers of the SPDC and the DKBA, were picking through the significant encampment, trying to secure it.
It was not a safe mission.
The camp was left rigged to the hilt with explosive booby traps.
The combined SPDC/DKBA force suffered heavy casualties today in its final approach – the KNLA had blanketed the camp’s perimeter with landmines and tripwires.
“There were many casualties on the other side,” said KNLA Colonel Nerdah Mya.
“We have abandoned the camp and everybody is safe, we will fight another day,” he said at 5.15pm.
He said between 400 and 500 SPDC/DKBA soldiers took part in the final push to take the base camp.
Eighty came from the Thai side, said Nerdah.
He said the Thai Army was nearby, but stayed in Phadee, home to about 500 people who were evacuated yesterday as shells fell near their homes.
“They were there, but they didn’t go into the forest,” he said.
http://www.danielpedersen.org/?p=495
208 jud // Apr 30, 2009 at 7:01 pm
“We will build another camp, we will build more camps and we will invite them to come and step on landmines again.”
Colonel Nerdah
209 mclmm // May 5, 2009 at 8:45 am
CHARLES F.-
Non-US citizen here with military experience, considering venturing into southeast Asia to look around and lend a hand. I’d love to hear more intel on the experience. mclmmemail@gmail.com
210 jud // May 6, 2009 at 1:50 am
PaO rebels wipe out Junta patrol
TUESDAY, 05 MAY 2009 15:27 KHUN AUNG KHAM
A Burma Army patrol was ambushed by a joint PaO National Liberation Army (PNLA) – Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) force on 3 May near Wanyen (Banyen) village, Hsihseng Township, 57 miles south of Taunggyi. The following are excerpts from an interview conducted with Col Khun Thurein, Commander of PNLA.
http://democracyforburma.wordpress.com/2009/05/05/all-12-spdc-soldiers-led-by-lieutenant-colonel-myo-min-htun-were-killed-but-as-we-were-ambushin
211 jud // May 7, 2009 at 10:29 pm
KNLA Wah Lay Kee base camp has fallen [with pictures] by Daniel Pederson
http://www.danielpedersen.org/?cat=20&album=3&gallery=15
212 Brenda Colby // May 14, 2009 at 11:09 am
If you were to meet Tom Bleming in person, you would find him to be quite an engaging conversationalist, with an excellent recollect.
I have read both of his books. In those two books, he opens up and shows you the scars, the fear, the tears and the triumph of who he really is.
A poignant true life story of an unsung hero, that walks unassumingly amongst us here in Lusk, Wyoming where he lives.
Most people live by the three monkeys……..Hear no, see no and tell no evil.
Thomas Bleming has the courage and conviction, to tell the truth as he lived it. If that makes some of you feel hurt or uncomfortable then you better get a life.
I know that Tom will continue on with his work in/for the ause of freedom, no matter where that journey may take him.
213 Freebird170 // May 14, 2009 at 4:18 pm
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Woman, you are crazy. Trust me, nobody in Burma takes this man seriously. Don’t get involved with him, he is trouble. I understand the respect given to selfless individuals, but this man is a self glorifying idiot. Stay away like the plague.
214 New Mandala turns 3 // Jun 16, 2009 at 6:03 am
[...] Most bizarre thread – Volunteering to fight in Burma [...]
215 Trevor // Jul 19, 2009 at 5:37 am
I am a former US Marine and Contractor, I and a few others are interested in getting more information about helping out the KNLA please email any available info to tlmarines@hotmail.com
216 Gaston Besson // Aug 8, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Hi guys
Interesting to read all these post . I have not been is Mae Sot for years . I just hope that most of my old comrads of harms are still alive ..
I was part of the first so called ” French .- Belgium ” team .. 1985/1988 .and I served with the KNLA in and out till 1990 .
Why ” so called ” French – Belgium ” team ? Well even if Guillaume Wogler alias ” Jimmy the Belgium ” was a friend , a great adventurer and a good man – Rest in peace – RIP in was only in command of this operation from his head quater in Pat Pong ( Madrid Bar ).
The team was made only of French men . I met also an Australian and a Kiwi both wounded in operation and of course all our Friends from the ” Japonese Imperial Army ” . LOL ! ( Mr Abe . Ito and Nishikawa )
Met also couples of americans old timers .. Good guys !
Maybe some of you remember my brother ? ” John ” ? He had a French restaurant in Maesot for years ..
I made a small VDO – Photos souvenir and post it on Youtube ..
Be good or at least try your best !! LOL !
And say I to all the boys for me …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzD3-DJje5A
217 John Delgado // Sep 19, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Charles F.
I just missed you at Mae Surin, and then again in Mae Sot. I would like to open a conversation with you about your recent trip into Burma.
By the way, I heard in Mae Sot that you were injured – nothing serious I hope.
I tried to contact Jack Slade and the other individual who accompanied you, but have yet to receive a reply.
johndelgado2005@gmail.com
218 jarel munro // Oct 29, 2009 at 2:09 pm
hey David, im nearly finished reading your book, what you did for the karen is truly amazing, you have inspired many and many more to come with more exposure, i wish the “global elite” would see what should be done to the BMI.
ps; i work with mondo!
219 dave // Oct 29, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Hi Jarel,
glad you enjoyed the book mate and am happy that is spreading the word about what is happening Burma, especially to the Karen. Say hello to Mondo for me, I haven’t seen him for nearly thirty years. Go to my website if you want and put a blog on. Also there is an unpublished chater for you to have a look at. dangerousdaveeverett.com
Cheers,
Dave
220 jarel munro // Nov 1, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Dave,
just the thing i was lookin for mate, in this day and age, a website is a must. ill spend some more time on it when i finish reading SW, i will say hello to mondo, i called him when i was reading the “selction” chapter and he told me a few other stories. we’re both riggers, mondo is a team leader and he’s a squillianare!! he still lives on raw cabbage!! also, if ya plannin on T-shirts, try ‘Gildan’, all the bands use this type of T-shirt for their merch, excellent design and great price when ya buy stacks. i will have plenty to blog,
cheers mate
Jarel, (supermans dad) i know.
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