Myanmese President Thein Sein is being hailed for his efforts to end decades of conflict with ethnic Karen rebels - but a brutal battle continues unabated in Kachin state, where a similar fight for autonomy has long been waged. Ja Seng Khawn, the daughter of Brang Seng, the former chairman of the Kachin Independence Organisation more than half a century ago, told the South China Morning Post: 'The president called for a ceasefire in March. But more troops were sent. Government troops burnt down villages and 65,000 civilians have fled from their homes.' Observers see the fighting as evidence of a split in the top ranks of Myanmar's government, between the reformist president and pro-Beijing elements of the military, who are fiercely opposed to greater Kachin autonomy in the crucial region bordering China. A United Nations food convoy was recently sent to the area to feed the thousands displaced by the fighting. The failure to achieve reconciliation in Kachin state has extended to the political arena. The state was excluded from the April 1 elections that saw Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi sweep into parliament. The government postponed elections for the three Kachin seats, citing security reasons. The absence of Kachin from the reform process stands in contrast to the new mood surrounding the banned Karen National Union's (KNU) relationship with its long-time foes in the government. On April 7, President Thein Sein, a former army officer, met seven KNU leaders at his office in the capital Naypidaw, inviting them to attend peace talks in Yangon. Myanmar's previously heavily censored media were allowed for the first time to report on issues raised by the KNU. Although both Karen and Kachin have very similar demands - legalisation of their movements, greater autonomy, and greater ethnic rights - ending the hostilities in Kachin state is proving far more difficult. Aung Min, a government minister who has led peace talks with the Karen, admitted during a press conference with KNU leaders that the unresolved Kachin conflict was the most complex of Myanmar's numerous ethnic conflicts. Efforts to resolve the conflict have been in vain thus far despite a meeting last month in China between a Kachin Independence Organisation delegation and a government negotiating group led by former minister Aung Thaung. 'We called for military operations launched since June 2011 to stop in order to achieve a ceasefire,' said Ja Seng Khawn. 'The [government] delegation was not sincere. They did not listen to us. There is no trust between the two sides.' Central to any peace process is the influence of regional giant China and its supposedly shelved US$3.6 billion Myitsone dam on the Irrawaddy River. The Kachin Independence Army has issued several warnings to dam builder China Power Investment (CPI) that the Kachin would never accept the dam on a river widely regarded as sacred in Myanmar. That led to thousands of Myanmese troops being deployed to the region, triggering the June 2011 collapse of a ceasefire between government troops and rebel Kachin forces dating back to 1994. As the fighting continued, in September last year, Thein Sein ordered the suspension of the project, to the dismay of CPI and its local partner, Asiaworld. At the time, Thein Sein told parliament that by suspending the dam project, 'we are respecting the will of the people'. According to academic website Myanmar Affairs, its polling showed that 90 per cent of Myanmese opposed the dam. That reflects the unique place in the Myanmese psyche held by the Irrawaddy river. 'The Myitsone area is famous since ancient times,' said Ja Seng Khawn. 'It is very important to us Kachin. It is a sacred land of our heritage.' But some fear that despite his apparent good intentions, Thein Sein's authority has been eroded on the issue by pro-China generals and business tycoons who continue to back the dam project and the suppression of the KNU. Despite Thein Sein's order last month to stop the war in Kachin state, fighting has continued. And there are still at least 200 Chinese workers and heavy machinery at the dam site. Both CPI and Beijing have been exerting pressure to get the ban lifted and resume dam construction, regardless of the armed opposition of the KNU. Newspaper owner Dr Tan Htut Aung, whose publications have been prominent opponents of the dam project, said: 'I am sure there is pressure from the military. I think the president does not have the authority to control the army.' Tan said the pro-China elements opposing Thein Sein include Vice-President Tin Aung Myint Oo, whom Tan said was 'very close to the Chinese government, close to CPI and Asiaworld', and staunchly opposed to Kachin demands for autonomy. On her part, opposition leader Suu Kyi has highlighted her desire to help unite all ethnic groups in Myanmar. Her father, founder of Burmese independence General Aung San, forged unity with the Kachin and most ethnic groups at the signing of the 1947 Panglong Agreement. Suu Kyi has said she hopes to follow in his footsteps with a 'Second Panglong'. Ja Seng Khawn sees evidence of Myanmese unity expressed in the struggle against the Myitsone dam. 'Our friends from Rangoon and from the whole of Myanmar know how important the Irrawaddy is, and it is an issue that unites all ethnic groups,' she said.
