ASIA/MYANMAR - Ethnic minorities: failed accords, new violence feared

Yangon (Agenzia Fides) – “The government has sought agreements with ethnic minorities. With the ethnic groups Karen, Shan and others, it has reached a cease-fire. Other groups have not accepted the terms: they want freedom and are not recognized within the nation of Burma. At this point it was expected, and announced: an intensification of military pressure. If there are no negotiations and reconciliation, the solution for the military junta is force. Now we fear a resurgence of the conflict, with severe suffering among civilians." This is what Fides has learned from a source from the Church in Myanmar, who asked to remain anonymous, commenting on news of intense fighting, after the elections, between the groups of Karen ethnicity and the Burmese army along the border with Thailand.
Among the Karen, there are also Christians. A priest of Karen background, who is near the border area between Thailand and Myanmar, tells Fides: "The Karen groups are contesting the elections and are unhappy with the Burman government. Now we fear an increase of violence and conflict. Those who will most suffer will be the civilians. The armed struggle lasts for decades. We need to, with the help of the international community, find another way to handle this crisis. The hopes are slim, but we continue to pray for a peaceful solution." (PA) (Agenzia Fides 09/11/2010)