Burma-Karen Rebels Move Forward To End Their Long And Bitter Civil War

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Burma President Thein Sein Meets Karen Rebels -- BBC

Karen rebels fighting the government in Burma have confirmed to the BBC that their leaders have met Burma's President Thein Sein.

It is the first such meeting between the two sides in one of the world's longest running civil conflicts.

Karen rebels have been fighting for self-rule for more than 60 years.

Western countries who have imposed sanctions on Burma have pressed the military-backed civilian government to end their various ethnic conflicts.

Last month, one of the leaders of the Karen rebel group was released by the Burmese authorities, days after being given a 20-year sentence for treason.

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More News On The Peace Process Between The Burmese Government And The Karen Rebels

Burma's Karen Delegation Meets Aung San Suu Kyi -- Voice of America
Rebels meet with Myanmar officials -- UPI
Myanmar strikes Karen peace deal -- IBN Live
Myanmar president meets Karen rebels -- Al Jazeera
Myanmar president holds landmark talks with rebels -- MSNBC/Reuters
Myanmar gov’t, Karen ethnic rebels agree on enforcing cease-fire, will continue talks -- Washington Post/AP
Myanmar's Karen rebels meet with Aung San Suu Kyi -- AP
Burma President Meets with Karen Rebels -- Voice of America
Myanmar’s Karen rebels restart cease-fire talks -- Boston.com
Burma, Karen Rebels Cement Ceasefire -- Eurasia Review
Who are Burma's Karen rebels? -- BBC

Myanmar Signs Truce With Ethnic Rebel Group Ending 62 Years Of War

Burma Signs Cease-Fire To End 62-Year Conflict With Karen Rebels -- National Post/Reuters

PA-AN, Burma — Burma’s government signed a cease-fire with ethnic Karen rebels Thursday to try to end one of the world’s longest-running insurgencies, part of its efforts to resolve all conflicts with separatist groups.

The government and the 19-member Karen National Union (KNU) delegation agreed in principle to 11 points and signed two broad agreements to end hostilities between the military and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and start dialogue toward a political settlement to a 62-year conflict.

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More News On Myanmar Signing A Peace Treaty With The Karen Rebels

Myanmar Signs Truce With Ethnic Rebel Group -- New York Times
Burmese government, rebel group in ceasefire -- Sydney Morning Herald
Burma government signs ceasefire with Karen rebels -- BBC
Myanmar Signs Crucial Cease-Fire With Karen Rebels -- ABC News/AP
Myanmar govt and Karen rebels sign ceasefire -- AFP
Myanmar Signs Cease-Fire Seeking End to Six-Decade Rebellion -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Burma peace deal with KNU -- Sydney Morning Herald
Myanmar signs ceasefire with Karen rebels -- Financial Times/Reuters
Myanmar signs cease-fire with rebel group; Suu Kyi joins elections -- CNN
Burma: Thein Sein Government Starts Peace Talk With Karen National Union – OpEd -- Eurasia Review
Who are Burma's Karen rebels? -- BBC

Burma: World's Longest War Nears Its End

Karen soldiers at their base inside Burma. (Photo from Words of Life)

From Times Online:

It began with British betrayal after the Second World War and has stubbornly outlived every other conflict. But now, as it marks it diamond jubilee, the world’s longest-running war is nearing its endgame.

The guerrilla army of the Karen ethnic group, which has been fighting since 1949 for independence from Burma, is facing the greatest crisis in its history. If Karen resistance collapses, as some believe is likely, it will be a triumph for the Burmese junta as it consolidates its hold on power.

After a three-year offensive by the junta, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) has been forced into increasingly small pockets of resistance, according to Burma experts.

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My Comment: A war that has been going on for 60 years. Sigh .... what a waste.