The Karen National Progressive Party [KNPP] has been fighting with the Burmese military government, the State Law and Order Restoration Council, since a cease-fire between the two broke down between last year.

 

Last month, two strategic hills held by the KNPP were captured by Slorc troops. In the last week, Rangoon’s ground troops, aided by fighter bombers attacked the remaining KNPP hills. The KNPP lost the hills but continues put up resistance to the offensive.

 

With little ammunition and few heavy arms, the guerrillas are adopting hit and run tactics to attack Slorc from the rear.

 

The Slorc troops, according to guerrilla sources has suffered heavy casualties but field army officers are under orders to wipe out the KNPP before Armed Forces Day, which will be held on March 27.

 

Aung Zaw talks to a KNPP leader about th bettlefield situation. The KNPP official agreed to the interview under the condition not be identified.

 

Aung Zaw: There have been reports that Rangoon is using bombers to attack your positions. Are they true?

 

KNPP: They are using four Swiss-made PC-7 bombers, In fact, these planes are just for training but the Slorc uses them to attack ethnic minorities and insurgents. [The Pilatus PC-7 was sold to the Burmese air force for training but it was modified by Burmese air force. The planes are loaded with rockets and bombs.]

 

Then on March 3 there was a heavy attack. They used 81 mm, 75mm, mortars and machine guns. But many Slorc soldiers were killed when they tried to advance on Noglong hill.

 

We intercepted Slorc radio messages the order given by top leaders was to wipe out and control KNPP by the fourth of fifth of March. But they didn’t so finally they called for reinforcements and help from the air force.

When did they start to attack by air?

On March 7.When they dropped bombs, our soldiers had to run. It is like an ant fighting with an elephant.

You lost your strategic hills?

Well, we still control some hills but Nonglon and Ta Yoke (Chinese) hills were captured by the enemy. They are important as they are the highest in that area.

What are your plans? You have less than 1,000 foot soldiers and inadequate ammunition. Unlike Slorc you have no mortars or anti-aircraft guns. How long do you think can you last?

We have launched guerrilla warfare. We will continue to do so. We sometimes ambushed convoys and food provisions. [Slorc soldiers] are scared of our hit-and-run warfare. Their morale is low. But we don’t want to reveal [our next plans].

But if Slorc wants to open a new dialogue with the KNPP will you talk to them?

Yes,definitely. We are ready to sit and talk with them. But they must be sincere. There must also be equality. They can’t say that we are coming back to the “legal fold”. We on’t surrender.

How do you feel since they have not made any statements in support of you in the wake of this fighting? Is there any moral support? What is your message to these groups?

Well, We fight alone. I don’t think they [the 15 armed groups] are happy with Slorc. They get nothing from Slorc.But some of them are cowards and they don’t dare to oppose or speak out against Slorc. I don’t think they are getting what they wanted. Slorc leaders don’t want to discuss political issues. They are also suffering. They ahouls know Slorc is cheating us.

There was a report saying that the student army is cooperating with KNPP.

Yes. There are 40 or 50 ABSDF [All Burma Students Democratic Front] soldiers helping us.

Do you think your remaining bases will be wiped out in a few weeks? What canthey do?

We have been fighting this war for 40 years. They might get hills and lands but not our revolutionary spirits. Even if they get them, we have a plan to continue.

How can you survive in the long time? The situation has changed. Yoy have also lost strategic trade offices to Slorc?
   

There is no outside [financial] support for the KNPP We previously made money from the logging trade in teak. We now have very little ammunition and food. We therefore would rather choose hit-and-run warfare.

Why should they punish Slorc?

They are social outcasts. They don’t respect the will of the people. They don’t know politics. Like Mao Ze Deng they rule the country at gun point. In Kayah State, Slorc soldiers continue to rob our villages, kill villagers, rape women and take men for forced labour or to carry ammunition and food for soldiers. If they suspect some villagers are helping the KNPP they severely torture and kill them.

What do you think of Aung San Suu Kyi and the opposition in Burma. Do you think they are effective?

They are also suffering under this regime. It is difficult for them since they have no arms. We at least have arms. If [Slorc] come and bully us we can at least fight back because we have guns.

 

They don’t care about the urban opposition because Slorc knows very well that they have no guns. Slorc won’t talk to Suu Kyi and the opposition unless they have guns. Slorc only talks to those who have guns.

So you are saying that the opposition in Burma should be armed?
   
Yes. We will win if we have arms.