Comments on: Pictures of the DKBA on the Thailand-Burma border http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2008/05/23/pictures-of-the-dkba-on-the-thailand-burma-border/ New perspectives on mainland Southeast Asia Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:28:26 +1100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Nicholas Farrelly http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2008/05/23/pictures-of-the-dkba-on-the-thailand-burma-border/comment-page-1/#comment-458224 Nicholas Farrelly Sat, 24 May 2008 06:15:15 +0000 http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/?p=2382#comment-458224 Thanks Brian M., Just what I was looking for - some clarification. It all makes a great deal more sense now. Best wishes to all, NIch Thanks Brian M.,

Just what I was looking for – some clarification. It all makes a great deal more sense now.

Best wishes to all,

NIch

]]> By: Charles F. http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2008/05/23/pictures-of-the-dkba-on-the-thailand-burma-border/comment-page-1/#comment-458134 Charles F. Sat, 24 May 2008 03:56:34 +0000 http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/?p=2382#comment-458134 I, too, thought it was very odd that the DKBA was having problems with the SPDC. As many people know, the DKBA broke away from the KNLA because they (the DBKA) felt that they were getting short shrift from the KNU leadership. The DBKA made peace with the SPDC, and then went on to attack the KNLA at every opportunity. In addition, it's said that they guard the drug labs and smugglers for the SPDC. The "U.N. rep" is also pretty strange. I sort of wonder if it was just some guy passing himself off as one so he could gain access. I, too, thought it was very odd that the DKBA was having problems with the SPDC.
As many people know, the DKBA broke away from the KNLA because they (the DBKA) felt that they were getting short shrift from the KNU leadership.
The DBKA made peace with the SPDC, and then went on to attack the KNLA at every opportunity.
In addition, it’s said that they guard the drug labs and smugglers for the SPDC.

The “U.N. rep” is also pretty strange. I sort of wonder if it was just some guy passing himself off as one so he could gain access.

]]> By: Brian M http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2008/05/23/pictures-of-the-dkba-on-the-thailand-burma-border/comment-page-1/#comment-458084 Brian M Sat, 24 May 2008 02:37:41 +0000 http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/?p=2382#comment-458084 For more detailed information on the DKBA, the various reports published by the Karen Human Rights Group (www.khrg.org) are an excellent source of information. For more detailed information on the DKBA, the various reports published by the Karen Human Rights Group (www.khrg.org) are an excellent source of information.

]]> By: Brian M http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2008/05/23/pictures-of-the-dkba-on-the-thailand-burma-border/comment-page-1/#comment-458081 Brian M Sat, 24 May 2008 02:35:36 +0000 http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/?p=2382#comment-458081 I believe I can answer your questions. I am the "United Nations peacekeeper." Before continuing I would like to make it clear that I have never worked for the UN. I was present in a private capacity as a researcher. The trip was pre-arranged, as are most trips like this, and we didn't "need" Roberto to get across. It was Karen New Year and I had been invited. Roberto was a friend of a friend - the English guy - who wanted to go to the new year's celebrations, so we all went together. There was no reason to claim to be a UN worker or make up any other cover stories. The relationship that Roberto claims needed to be built had already existed for some years. Journalists and other foreigners had been going to DKBA camps for Karen New Year celebrations for several years already. The commander, Colonel Lah Pwe, while allegedly a drug trafficker, is a very gracious host and we had dinner with his family, soldiers and villagers and were even invited to talk with him in his personal bedroom/sitting room. We did not sleep in a barracks, but in a house in the village. The DKBA and SPDC have been allies since the first day of their creation. Other than a few very isolated incidents, there has been no fighting between the DKBA and the Burmese Army. Technically the DKBA don't really have a ceasefire with the regime since they have never been at war with each other. The DKBA have an agreement with the local Burmese battalion that they come into the town on a regular basis as a part of their patrolling. I can understand why Roberto may have seen the soldiers as "mean", since men in uniforms with large guns always tend to look that way. Most of the DKBA were very friendly, if anything they were reserved out of shyness. In fact, Roberto was able to get portraits of the commander of the battalion and his deputy who both happily agreed. The Burmese Army soldiers, however, were not so friendly. But then they have a distrust of foreigners taught into them by their officers and, as I've encountered in similar situations, are often under orders to not allow their pictures to be taken. The DKBA unit at Waley has a very close relationship to the SPDC, which makes the final paragraph of the interview rather misleading. This battalion and local Burma Army units have conducted joint operations against the KNU in the area in the past. I believe I can answer your questions. I am the “United Nations peacekeeper.”

Before continuing I would like to make it clear that I have never worked for the UN. I was present in a private capacity as a researcher.

The trip was pre-arranged, as are most trips like this, and we didn’t “need” Roberto to get across. It was Karen New Year and I had been invited. Roberto was a friend of a friend – the English guy – who wanted to go to the new year’s celebrations, so we all went together.

There was no reason to claim to be a UN worker or make up any other cover stories. The relationship that Roberto claims needed to be built had already existed for some years. Journalists and other foreigners had been going to DKBA camps for Karen New Year celebrations for several years already.

The commander, Colonel Lah Pwe, while allegedly a drug trafficker, is a very gracious host and we had dinner with his family, soldiers and villagers and were even invited to talk with him in his personal bedroom/sitting room. We did not sleep in a barracks, but in a house in the village.

The DKBA and SPDC have been allies since the first day of their creation. Other than a few very isolated incidents, there has been no fighting between the DKBA and the Burmese Army. Technically the DKBA don’t really have a ceasefire with the regime since they have never been at war with each other. The DKBA have an agreement with the local Burmese battalion that they come into the town on a regular basis as a part of their patrolling.

I can understand why Roberto may have seen the soldiers as “mean”, since men in uniforms with large guns always tend to look that way. Most of the DKBA were very friendly, if anything they were reserved out of shyness. In fact, Roberto was able to get portraits of the commander of the battalion and his deputy who both happily agreed. The Burmese Army soldiers, however, were not so friendly. But then they have a distrust of foreigners taught into them by their officers and, as I’ve encountered in similar situations, are often under orders to not allow their pictures to be taken.

The DKBA unit at Waley has a very close relationship to the SPDC, which makes the final paragraph of the interview rather misleading. This battalion and local Burma Army units have conducted joint operations against the KNU in the area in the past.

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