By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, February 24, updated -- As Myanmar's government is praised by the UN of Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and his envoy Vijay Nambiar and others in the international community, one of the conflicts there that is not improving is with the Kachin Independence Organization.
When Nambiar held a rare press conference in New York on Friday, Inner City Press asked him if during his recent trip to Myanmar he met with the KIO or even the government official who deal with the KIO, Aung Thaung, who is close to Than Shwe. Video here, from Minute 18:15.
Nambiar acknowledged that he had not met with the KIO. He said that other agencies in the UN, particularly UNHCR, deal with them, mostly about "humanitarian" issues. Recently, he said, the government "relented" and said that while they will send government material along with UN aid, if "the rebels" reject the government material at "the border," the UN's can continue.
But in terms of UN agencies, it's said that the Myanmar head of office for OCHA Barbara Manzi did not provide comment on Kachin aid issues, not only to Myanmar exile media, but even to the government licenced Myanmar Times. The UN is "all in," it seems.
In other reaction, while Nambiar said that railway minister Aung Min and the other government people seem to think that they can deliver on promises to the rebels groups, Aung Min's ceasefire with the SSA South in Shan state is already starting to unravel. Fighting broke out between the SSA and the government on Friday and people reportedly died despite the ceasefire
The ceasefire also recently negotiated with a breakaway faction of the DKBA also reportedly broke down on Thursday
Even the ceasefire with KNU seems on hold depending on if the government withdraws troops from Karen areas. But after the government signed the ceasefire they reportedly sent more troops to Karen areas, so the KNU is again pushing for the troops to be withdrawn
And what does Nambiar say?
As Nambiar began his press conference, Ban Ki-moon's deputy spokesman Eduardo Del Buey said pointedly he would answer questions on Myanmar only. Video here at Minute 0:30.
Nevertheless, Inner City Press asked Nambiar to explain his role in the white flag killings of surrenderees described in Ban's Panel of Experts report on Sri Lanka. Del Buey insisted, Nambiar will only answer about Myanmar. But we have a second story, gleaned after the Myanmar briefing -- click here and watch this site.
