Myanmar jets strike Kachin | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

Myanmar jets strike Kachin

Published: 2 Jan 2013 at 18.46
Online news:

Myanmar's army has used air strikes against northern ethnic rebels, sources from both sides said Wednesday, in an escalation of a conflict that has raised doubts over the country's reform drive.

Rebel soldiers fire rockets from an outpost in Myanmar's Kachin state on Sept 22, 2012. Myanmar's army has used air strikes against northern ethnic rebels, sources from both sides say, in an escalation of a conflict that has raises doubts over the country's reform drive. (AFP Photo)

Fighting between the country's military, known as the 'Tatmadaw', and the armed wing of the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) has worsened in recent days as the army battled to regain one of its bases, a government negotiator involved in peace efforts told AFP.

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abbub
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Discussion 3 : 03 Jan 2013 at 09.103
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BLOB that really is an oversimplification. For many so-called rebel groups their struggle is legitimate and unless the legitimate grievances are addressed troubles continue.

modern borders are also the result of previous military victories over neighbors, or old colonial divisions and demarcations for which peoples were never consulted.

The southern Thai provinces were "given" to Siam by the British. They were not theirs to give.

Not that we must condone the violence (on either side) but realize the conflict is not a "good guys vs bad guys" one. There are good...and bad...on both sides.
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abbub
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Discussion 2 : 03 Jan 2013 at 08.342
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When the Myanmar military attacks rebels in the north it is referred to as:

- "an escalation of a conflict that has raised doubts over the country's reform drive."

But in Thailand reform for the most part is not even on the agenda, and yet the violence in the south is not raising any doubt about the nilitary's and government's intention.

I am far more concerned about the south of Thailand as a conflict area, and would like tos ee dialogue and a measure of compromise based on good will.
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blob123
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Discussion 1 : 03 Jan 2013 at 08.211
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I don't understand what this "rebels" want, when they attack government forces those will fight back, no government in this world allow rebels with arms in the country. That has nothing to do with doubt on reforms etc. the Kachin has to surrender not the state, why can all other ethnic groups make peace? The real reason are the drugs the Kachin bosses make lots of money with drug production just as some Shan do and they don't want to be disturbed.
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