Questions and Answers

YANGON, 14 May—In their tour around the Southern Command in Bago Division, on arrival at Htantabin Township on the eastern bank of the Sittoung River and Thabyenyunt Village in Thandaung Township, Kayin State, local and foreign journalists raised questions on a wide range of subjects including tortures and murders of innocent people, torching villages, threats and bullying committed by KNU. Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, officials, local residents and those who have returned to the legal fold replied to the queries. Their questions and answers are as follows.

U Myat Khaing (Great Journal and Good News Journal)

I would like to put some questions. Which arrangements does the government make for insurgents to return to the legal fold, and how do they make contacts with the government? I have learnt that the government has set up a model village in Thabyenyunt Village, but the model village has been destroyed twice. I would like to know how the government is making arrangements for protecting the village from such danger. There exploded a time bomb in Penwegon yesterday leaving a person dead. I would like to know whether it was correct or not. Lastly, some foreign broadcasting stations are making counter accusations that the bomb blasts are responsible for the government and the military intelligence. Make clarification to that point, please.

Saw Lay (battalion (5) of KNU brigade (2)

I returned to the legal fold in April last year. The reasons why I did so are that all the acts of KNU leaders are unjust. KNU leaders of same position are hostile to each other. And they always try to cheat one another. I am not satisfied with these points. They designate status such as Paku, Bwe and Gaybar. Major Ar Si of Brigade (2) is of Paku status. We subordinates of battalion (5) are of Bwe status. Supposing a cash assistance of 10,000 kyats for subordinates like us has been received by Major Ar Si, we receive about 2,000 kyats only. They are angry with each other regarding that problem. Such acts were completely intolerable and we decided to return to the legal fold. I wanted to lead a peaceful life and so I returned to Thabyenyunt Village. But, to my dismay, KNU members had already torched the houses of my village, and my house was also destroyed. They also killed a friend of mine. The torching of villages is totally unacceptable to me. Some friends of mine were among those who were killed by KNU. They abducted two of my friends. I am not sure as to whether they are still alive or not. Major Ar Si variously plotted schemes against battalion (6) commander Steel Bar. Major Ar Si also accused Jiji of having gone with a nurse. So, Jiji was punished. I did not know how the central body took action regarding that case. The commander of battalion (6) was planning to return to the legal fold. But, Major Ar Si noticed that and they sent Steel Bar to the central body. Major Ar Si killed five villagers of Hsidawpho Village. Indeed, the villagers were innocent.

Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan,

Regarding the first question, the Tatmadaw’s military camps have been stationed in various regions for many years to receive insurgents who wanted to return to the legal fold. Military columns do security work and military operations in respective regions. Those insurgents who want to return to the legal fold can contact these military camps or columns. Residents of respective villages have been informed that such insurgents can return to the legal fold by doing so. There have been so many insurgents who have returned to the legal fold through respective villages.

Regarding the second question, we Tatmadaw members have to crush their enemies. But, when an insurgent informed a military camp that he wants to return to the legal fold, then they have to welcome such an insurgent. The government makes arrangements to provide necessary assistance for such insurgents. For instance, for those in Thabyenyunt Village, the government built low-cost houses, gave a yoke of oxen and a cart, and reclaimed lands. These arrangements are for individuals. The government has taken necessary measures for the insurgents who returned to the legal fold in groups such as Major Saw Feri Moe and party.

Regarding No 2 question, the government is taking security measures systematically for the villages. Tatmadaw outposts have been stationed in every strategic site. So, the government has already taken necessary measures to protect all the villages including Thabyenyunt Village.

Regarding No 3 question, the case is under investigation, and it is found that the person was an insurgent. When he was carrying the mine to the targeted place, it exploded accidentally and killed him.

Regarding No 4 question, whenever bombs were blasted, we managed to expose the majority of the culprits. And they committed these acts under arrangements, of KNU. We and the KNU member we had arrested already explained at the previous press conference that KNU masterminded the bomb blast that took place in Toungoo. Similarly, respective culprits had already confessed to the bomb explosions in the places such as Penwegon and Pyu they committed under the cash offers and coercion of KNU. So, it is apparent that KNU and accomplices are com-mitting such destructive acts.

U Aung Thu Myaing (Jiji Press News Agency)

How far is Thabyenyunt Village from Toungoo? Is Thabyenyunt Village located in Kayin State or in Bago Division? What is the village’s population? What are the populations of Kayins and Bamars there? And when was it established?

Bago Division PDC Secretary Lt-Col Thein Lwin,

The village is located in Thandaung Township, Kayin State, and is about 30 miles far from Toungoo. It is situated at the borders of three townships — Htantabin, Kyaikkyi, and Thandaung.

Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan,

Thabyenyunt Village is made up of more than 300 houses with a population of over 2,000 people. Among them, some are Pa-O nationalities and some are Kayin nationalities. There are other national races in the village. Naturally, there is no village in Myanmar in which people of a single national race live. And every village and township is like a small Union. Similarly, Thabyenyunt Village is made up of Kayin and Pa-O national people and people of other national races.

U Hein Latt (Popular Journal)

I have learnt that KNU insurgents attacked, robbed and torched Thabyenyunt Village and surrounding villages. Why did they do so? Is there anyone who experienced that?

U Myint Zaw (villager),

Thabyenyunt Region is blessed with favourable conditions. It is a model village with a basic education high school. So, some people from nearby villages moved to our village. Our village is located at the foot of a mountain. So, some villagers panned for gold. Our village drew the interest of some nearby villages. We villagers built low-cost houses with the help of the government. Round about 10 days after we had built houses, insurgents torched our village at night. They first fired twice at the houses. Then, they fired heavy weapons, and a shell hit my house. But fortunately I was in Toungoo at that time. I was scared and I dared not go back home. In the morning when I arrived home, I found that they had robbed four houses including mine. They shot a villager in his chest at close range. I did not know why they did so. But later, I heard that there was a scheme they plotted. Our village is a model one and it has developed to an extent. But, they were displeased with that. Residents of Bomati and Kyaukkyipauk villagers are very interested in our village. Our village has been facilitated with a branch of high school, along with a high school, and a station hospital. Near our village, there is a place people pan for gold. Our village is doing well in business, and people from nearby villages moved to ours. But, the insurgents destroyed our village. So, most people are afraid to live and earn their living there. What was worst was that they burnt down four houses.

A villager was admitted to a township hospital for medical treatment. And he added we want to live in peace and are not the enemy of the KNU. I feel disappointed at their acts. They want us to lack access to the developments in these areas so that they can extort money from the villages in the areas. If there emerges developments in the areas, they will lose their interests. In the past, there were a lot of people who had panned for gold from the gold mines. We bought the gold from them and sold the items at Taungoo. But, there are now fewer people who pan for gold because the people are fearful of an attack by the KNU insurgents.

The two children have been detained.

Q. You know their names and age?

A. One is Saw Ne Htoo, 17 and the other is Saw Htoo Wai, 16.

Q. Are they Kayin nationals?

A. Yes, they are.

Q. When did the case occur? A. It occurred on 23 October 2005.

Their parents are plain and simple. I do not know where their sons are. He added there have been peaceful in Thabyenyunt village as well as Thandaunggyi, Bawgali, Yado. Later, the KNU insurgents had committed acts of terrorism such as planting of landmines and blasting of bombs along Thandaunggyi motor road. So, the locals are fearful of attacks by the KNU. It is true that Thabyenyunt village was set on fire.

U Myat Soe Hlaing (Leyarsitpwaye News Journal and Myo Myanmar Journal): I would like to know how KNU members had joined KNU and why they had returned to the legal fold and what kind of assistance the Government had rendered to them up to now. I knew that the Government had built low-cost housing units for them. How much do they cost? Who was shot in chest and dead? Four houses were set to fire and how did they feel? The Government is taking measures for security. How about the economy of the village? The Government arranged accommodation for them. They were making living of their own means. Did the Government arrange the places they wanted to live? Were there villages for those who returned to the legal fold? Let me know if similar incidents had taken place.

Saw Lay Htoo (KNU Brigade-2)

I am Saw Lay Htoo. When I was in the fifth standard, I was arrested by KNU.

Q: Where did you attend when you were in the fifth standard?

A: In Thandaunggyi. After being arrested, KNU gave me military training and duties were assigned to me at KNU Brigade. The reason I returned to the legal fold was due to perfect assistance rendered by the Government. The Government offered us land, plot, farm, carts etc.

Q: What is the kind of low-cost house?

A: The low-cost house is made of wood and brick.

Q: How much does it cost?

A: It cost about K 1 million.

Q: Does it cost K 500,000 or K 600,000 and K 1 million?

A: It cost about K 1 million.

Q: Did you pay for it or did you get it free of charge?

A: I got it free of charge.

Q: Why did you enter into the legal fold?

A: KNUs fought for power among them and they oppressed us. For these reasons, I could not stand any longer under them and I ran away for wanting to escape the clutches of them.

Q: Was your house set to fire?

A: Yes, of course.

Q: How did you feel when your house was set to fire?

A: I felt very distressed.

Q: Who was shot in chest and dead?

A: My friend called Athay Lay. He was shot dead when they set to fire my house.

Q: How old was he?

A: He was 17 or 18.

Q: What was his original name?

A: It was Ye Htet Naing.

Col Khin Maung Oo (Tactical Commander of Southern Command): The villages like Thabyenyunt that were set to fire are Yokmei, Moneyei, Myaytaw and Kyaungpyar. These two villages were offered those who entered into the legal fold to make for living in April of 2005. The designated villages for them are Pyarsakhan, Leiktho, Yado and some along Yado route. These villages were destroyed by KNU insurgents.

Dr Tin Tun Oo of Pyi Myanmar Journal asked if the KNU had set fire to the villages and there is anything else; why the villagers are keeping away from their homes, and whether it is true that about 10,000 villagers living in Kayin villages are left homeles because of the attack of Tatmadaw.

U Myo Myint of Bonmatee village replied that the village is located in Htantabin Township in Taungoo District. Due to the attack of the KNU insurgents, our village has been beset with different kinds of difficulties and in addition, there are a lot of disabled persons suffering from landmines planted by the KNU insurgents in our village. And last year a KNU insurgent group came to our village and extorted money from the villagers. At the present time, we have easy access to our living thanks to the Tatmadawmen discharging their duties in our village. As far as I know, the KNU insurgents have been sending their hard-core family members to the neighbouring country. He added four villagers were shot dead in Bonmatee village on 3 March 2003 and all have known how cruel the KNU insurgents are.

Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan said that the KNU has already exercised the strategy that many of villagers are left homeless owing to the attack of the Tatmadaw; that they have stayed in the refugee camps at the border area and are beset with difficulties.

It was an old tactics employed by KNU in its history. They are still employing that tactics. Regarding their tactics, I would like to explain it. Whenever the Tatmadaw combed the areas where the KNU hid, the KNU drove out the villagers to prevent them from meeting the Tatmadaw columns. The KNU did this in case the villagers provide information and assistance to the Tatmadaw. Wives, sons and daughters of KNU members and their relatives were taken to so-called refugee camps in the other country. They tried to get monetary assistance from abroad. They also said that many national races fled and they were ill-treated and killed. That was why they demanded that the nations of the world would put pressure on the government. That was their old tactics. They always exaggerated the number of people than it really was. It was reported that some 10,000 ethnic people deserted their homes and thousands of people reached the refugee camps. The newsmen could consider that if it was true or not. Another reason was that it was difficult for the people to earn their living and there was transport difficulty in those areas. There was no one there long ago. Most of the Karen nationals live in the areas where they can earn their living and there is security. They do not live in inner parts of the regions. All of us can think logically that if over 10,000 people could be in the other country.

U Ohn Maung (Myinmu Maung Naing Moe): I have learnt a piece of news recently. The food security conference on Asia and the Pacific Region, FAO conference and conference on eradication of poverty will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia from 15 to 19 May.

It is learnt that the NLD would present a report on food problem in Myanmar. I would like to know that if there is food problem in the country.

Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan: The NLD and some anti-government organizations make accusations that there is food problem. I would like to explain all the facts as it is. You journalists arrived at Thabyenyunt Village through villages in Toungoo and Swa. As a saying “Seeing is Believing” goes, there are plenty of summer paddy fields along the road. There is no skinny citizen in the country due to lack of food. There is no human death in the country because of starvation. There is no demand for food assistance from the UN and other nations. It is obvious that there is no food problem in the country. As far as I know, in some countries almost all family members have to work. In our country the head of the household or he and his son need to work for living. On the way to Thabyenyunt, we went past villages and we saw the living standard of rural people. Almost every house has motor-cycles, bullock-carts, satellite dishes, TV sets. We saw a herd of cattle, fish, coconuts, bananas, fowls and paddy. It is obvious that they are making false accusations.

I invite those who speak ill of others from abroad to come to the country.

We have food in plenty. If they have sincere goodwill, they can come and provide assistance on education, health, transport and social affairs as the country needs progress. They say in words only. But they never provide any assistance to the country. They interfere in our internal affairs. According to the report of the NLD, the issue may be discussed at the conference. You journalists can think that whether the special statement or announcement of the NLD which reports there is food problem or difficulty in the country is true or not.

Dr Zaw Than (Sankei Shimbun): I heard that foreign news agencies broadcast that thousands of Kayin nationals had fled to the refugee camps in border areas due to the Tatmadaw’s offensive. The US government would allow the refugees to enter its country by waiving its immigration law. What is the attitude of the government regarding this?

Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan: The KNU started committing destructive acts and detonating bombs in Bago and Toungoo regions as well as along the railway section between Bago and Toungoo in the beginning of 2006. As the time coincided with that of which peace is being discussed with the KNU, we informed personnel of KNU that such events ought not to happen at a time when peace is being negotiated. However, the KNU intensified a series of atrocities and inhuman acts. They planted mines with powerful explosives on the railways. If the security members are unable to expose those bombs, a number of people will suffer death and casualties as a consequence. To protect lives and property of the people, the government had to take security measures in Bago and Toungoo areas, along the railways and adjacent areas. The security personnel combed the areas where KNU could take refuge. In this connection, the KNU and its cohorts in collusion with some western broadcasting stations manufactured rumours to the effect that a large number of villagers in the region had to flee their houses and property due to the attacks of the Tatmadaw and reached refugee camps in the border, where they were in trouble and poverty. And pressure should be put on the government. In the course of history, the refugee camp was used by the KNU as a tactic. For the time being also, when the government had to unavoidably protect lives and property of the people like that, the KNU applied the tactic to the effect that the Tatmadaw drove out of the villagers from the region to the border and the latter reached the refugee camps. In the past, there were KNU camps along the border. As all the KNU camps were under the Tatmadaw’s control, KNU had to hide in the refugee camps in the border. Such being so, the refugee camps have actually proved to be the KNU camps. There were no more KNU camps in the border and they took refuge in the other country. The KNU in the name of refugee camps, stepped up its under-ground and above-ground attacks on the government. Based on the current event, the KNU aired rumours that the attacks of the Tatmadaw posed a threat to the stability of neighbouring countries and the region and called for the world community to impose pressure on the government and lodge a complaint to UN Security Council. The minister said another point was the matters in which the US with a legal loophole of its immigration law made arrangements to take those under the name of refugees to their nation. Those under the name of refugees are just only KNU and their families and relatives. If the US do so, the ones who are taken to the US will be just the KNU and their families and relatives. In the past, there was an event. That event was the Bay of Pigs Invasion. The present President of Cuba Fidel Castro and members of revolutionary forces were able to throw the Cuban government led by Batista in 1959. That made Batista and his some followers to flee Cuba. Those Cuban expatriates were mobilized and given accommodation and foods by the US. And they were also given military training and armed. In 1961, they were ordered to attack Cuba through the Bay of Pigs. But, the armed forces of Fidel Castro were able to drive them out of the country. Now, the legal loophole of US immigration law does not cover the refugees of other nations but those under the name of refugees in the border. Hence, the present acts of the US have turned out to be those to be considered seriously. Although the US is shouting at the top of its voice that a certain nation does not practise democracy and has no human rights, it is obvious that the US itself is discriminating the refugees.