This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/17/aung-san-suu-kyi-burma-kachin-ceasefire
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Aung San Suu Kyi calls for ceasefire in Burma's Kachin region | Aung San Suu Kyi calls for ceasefire in Burma's Kachin region |
| (25 days later) | |
| Burma's opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has called for an immediate end to fighting in Kachin state, amid growing concern about the conflict. China has rebuked its neighbour and called for a ceasefire between government troops and ethnic minority rebels after a second artillery shell landed in China. | Burma's opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has called for an immediate end to fighting in Kachin state, amid growing concern about the conflict. China has rebuked its neighbour and called for a ceasefire between government troops and ethnic minority rebels after a second artillery shell landed in China. |
| An estimated 100,000 people have been displaced since fighting broke out in summer 2011, ending a longstanding ceasefire between government forces and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). | An estimated 100,000 people have been displaced since fighting broke out in summer 2011, ending a longstanding ceasefire between government forces and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). |
| The conflict intensified in late December, with the Burmese army stepping up attacks around the KIA headquarters in Laiza, and the government has now acknowledged using aircraft to attack rebels in a development the US has described as extremely troubling. Officials had previously denied using air power and state media said it had been used to protect supply lines, not to launch offensives. | The conflict intensified in late December, with the Burmese army stepping up attacks around the KIA headquarters in Laiza, and the government has now acknowledged using aircraft to attack rebels in a development the US has described as extremely troubling. Officials had previously denied using air power and state media said it had been used to protect supply lines, not to launch offensives. |
| Aung San Suu Kyi's comments follow criticism from Kachin expatriates for her silence on the issue. She told Irrawaddy magazine that the fighting should stop immediately and expressed concern about reports of civilian casualties. | Aung San Suu Kyi's comments follow criticism from Kachin expatriates for her silence on the issue. She told Irrawaddy magazine that the fighting should stop immediately and expressed concern about reports of civilian casualties. |
| "I don't like any kind of war or violence ... I have always said that we should negotiate among ourselves so that there is no need to fight like this," she said. | "I don't like any kind of war or violence ... I have always said that we should negotiate among ourselves so that there is no need to fight like this," she said. |
| "We will only be able to avoid such conflicts if we begin to practise a culture of negotiation." | "We will only be able to avoid such conflicts if we begin to practise a culture of negotiation." |
| She said the ethnic conflicts needed to be resolved by the country as a whole, noting: "Mutual respect and mutual trust are the key to solving the ethnic issues. We, as well as the government, have to ask ourselves whether we understand the goals of the ethnic people and whether we can help them fulfil their goals," she said. | She said the ethnic conflicts needed to be resolved by the country as a whole, noting: "Mutual respect and mutual trust are the key to solving the ethnic issues. We, as well as the government, have to ask ourselves whether we understand the goals of the ethnic people and whether we can help them fulfil their goals," she said. |
| China called for an immediate ceasefire after an artillery shell landed in its territory for the second time in weeks. | China called for an immediate ceasefire after an artillery shell landed in its territory for the second time in weeks. |
| A foreign ministry spokesman, Hong Lei, told a press briefing: "China made immediate emergency representations to Burma, expressed strong concern and dissatisfaction with the situation, and demanded that Burma earnestly investigate and adopt a series of measures to prevent further similar occurrences." | A foreign ministry spokesman, Hong Lei, told a press briefing: "China made immediate emergency representations to Burma, expressed strong concern and dissatisfaction with the situation, and demanded that Burma earnestly investigate and adopt a series of measures to prevent further similar occurrences." |
| He said China called on both sides to immediately implement a ceasefire and protect the peace and stability of the border area. | He said China called on both sides to immediately implement a ceasefire and protect the peace and stability of the border area. |
| Earlier this week, the Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt said the British government was deeply concerned by reports of escalating hostilities and air attacks, after reports that shelling had killed three civilians in Laiza. | Earlier this week, the Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt said the British government was deeply concerned by reports of escalating hostilities and air attacks, after reports that shelling had killed three civilians in Laiza. |
| "These tactics represent a marked escalation, and have the potential for increased civilian casualties," he added. | "These tactics represent a marked escalation, and have the potential for increased civilian casualties," he added. |
| He called for an immediate halt to the fighting, unhindered humanitarian access to affected areas, and for all sides to return to negotiations. | He called for an immediate halt to the fighting, unhindered humanitarian access to affected areas, and for all sides to return to negotiations. |
| But Dr Marie Lall, an expert on Burma at the Institute of Education, University of London, warned that the conflict was not solvable under current circumstances. | But Dr Marie Lall, an expert on Burma at the Institute of Education, University of London, warned that the conflict was not solvable under current circumstances. |
| "The Kachin Independence Army and Kachin Independence Organisation have said clearly they are not going to go the way other armed groups have gone, of sitting down with the new government, having first a ceasefire and then peace talks on the new roadmap," she said. | "The Kachin Independence Army and Kachin Independence Organisation have said clearly they are not going to go the way other armed groups have gone, of sitting down with the new government, having first a ceasefire and then peace talks on the new roadmap," she said. |
| She added that the Burmese army – only nominally under the command of the president – was also understood to have economic interests in the area. | She added that the Burmese army – only nominally under the command of the president – was also understood to have economic interests in the area. |
| "I'm not sure how far they are trying to protect their interests and also make a stand and say 'We are the army in this country,'" she noted. | "I'm not sure how far they are trying to protect their interests and also make a stand and say 'We are the army in this country,'" she noted. |
| "Is the army – independent of the government – trying to do this to bring the Kachin back to the negotiating table? That's possible." | "Is the army – independent of the government – trying to do this to bring the Kachin back to the negotiating table? That's possible." |
| China also had economic interests to protect in the area and the Kachin diaspora had also tended to support those who took a harder line, Lall added. | China also had economic interests to protect in the area and the Kachin diaspora had also tended to support those who took a harder line, Lall added. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe. |