Five jet fighters and two helicopters gunships have launched heavy
attacks against the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Lajayang region,
about 11 kilometers from Laiza, where the rebel group makes its
headquarters on the Sino-Burma border, according to local sources.
Dec 30, 2012
Making Friends with Foes? By KYAW ZWA MOE / THE IRRAWADDY| December 30, 2012 |
Making friends with enemies always entails an element of risk that
the reverse might occur. In politics, that means losing allies and
supporters and perhaps even being deemed a traitor to your cause.
Although indeed risky, this is the current approach undertaken by both
Myanmar’s opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and reformist President
U Thein Sein.
Why should these two former foes—captive and captor—become friends? Various reasons: to rebuild the nation; avoid reversing recent tentative reforms; reconcile the government, opposition and ethnic groups; lift international sanctions; and win the 2015 election.
The motives of each might differ, but the more important question concerns what the people of Myanmar will gain out of this new tactic.
Why should these two former foes—captive and captor—become friends? Various reasons: to rebuild the nation; avoid reversing recent tentative reforms; reconcile the government, opposition and ethnic groups; lift international sanctions; and win the 2015 election.
The motives of each might differ, but the more important question concerns what the people of Myanmar will gain out of this new tactic.
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