BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific

Text of recorded telephone interview with Phado David Taw, in charge of KNU foreign affairs, by DVB Correspondent Khine Thazin on 12 October, place not given, broadcast by Burmese opposition radio Democratic Voice of Burma web site on 12 October

It has been learned that the KNU [Karen National Union] has cancelled the visit of its delegation to Rangoon to hold the third round of cease-fire talks with the SPDC [State Peace and Development Council]. The delegation was supposed to leave for Rangoon today. The visit was cancelled because local SPDC military units did not allow delegation members from KNU Brigade No six to join the delegation on the way to Rangoon, instead of joining it from the starting point in Myawadi. The KNU said it would go to Rangoon after three or four days.

DVB [Democratic Voice of Burma] Correspondent Khine Thazin filed a report after interviewing Phado David Taw, in charge of KNU foreign affairs.

[Khine Thazin] Col Htoo Htoo Lay, secretary-general-1, will lead the 16-member KNU delegation that will hold cease-fire talks with the SPDC. Phado David Taw will act as a vice leader of the delegation. The SPDC delegation includes Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Brig-Gen Kyaw Thein, and Brig-Gen
Thein Shwe. Phado David Taw gave the following explanation about the cancellation of the delegation’s visit today.

[Phado David Taw] We postponed the visit as there have been some misunderstandings in an arrangement to let our delegation members from Brigade No six to join the team on the way. We have estimated that the visit will take place approximately after three days, since our brigade
commander and battalion commander have to come to the border to join the delegation.

[Khine Thazin] I see. What subjects will be discussed at the talks?

[Phado David Taw] We will have to strengthen the cease-fire that was agreed upon verbally in January, since there clashes have taken place afterwards.

[Khine Thazin] What extent of effectiveness do you except from this third round of talks?

[Phado David Taw] We expect to hold discussions until we reach a cease-fire during the third round of talks. It means the cease-fire could not be effective if clashes have been taking place.

[Khine Thazin] Last month, East Timor offered to host the KNU-SPDC talks. Could you explain why the talks will be held in Burma this time?

[Phado David Taw] Although East Timor invited us, both of us, the KNU and the SPDC, have to reach an agreement to hold talks in a third country. The KNU is ready to hold talks anywhere if we can hold discussions independently and equally and if the venue is located in a convenient area.

[Khine Thazin] Phado David Taw also said the issue on the release KNU prisoners of war in SPDC jails will not be discussed at the talks. This issue will be discussed later at other political talks. The talks will be the third round of cease-fire talks between the KNU and the SPDC. The
first and second rounds of talks were held early this year.

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma web site, Oslo, in Burmese 1430 gmt 12 Oct 04