An interview with the KIO’s information officer
August 30 th, 2021
During the Spring Revolution in which the people across the country are defying the terrorist military council troops led by coup leader Min Aung Hlaing in different forms with their commitments to root out the military dictatorship and build up a federal democratic union, the Kachin Independence Organization/Kachin Independence Army (KIO/KIA) becomes an ethnic armed organization on which the ethnic people can rely. There is widespread criticism about the KIO’s statement issued on August 24th. This interview will give other interesting reviews and the reason for the issuance of the statement.
Q: How will the KIO go ahead at a time when the people have adhered to the fact that there is no reason to hold a dialogue after the military coup?
A: This statement is not about our plan. Our expectation and ambition in the statement mainly mean that the KIO would seek valid and fair ways. If not, it would make our people and our revolutionary organizations difficult. Political organizations also will be in a difficult position. The statement means that we all need to seek the ways.
Q: How will the KIO seek ways and means?
A: The current situation is unfair way. That’s why, we just want to say that we need to do our work in a systematic and fair manner. The main purpose of this statement is that all organizations should hold discussion by avoiding the battles. This means that it doesn’t prioritize the war and should seek the correct means.
Q: What will happen here due to the continued dispatch of more troops and consecutive offensives in Kachin State?
A: War is related to the army. We will fight back if the army carries out offensives. There will be no fighting if the army doesn’t carry out offensive operations and attacks on our camps.
Q: Colonel you told the NUM News Agency that the fighting may become more intense during this rainy season. How should people prepare for it?
A: The military is gradually dispatching its troops from lower Myanmar to Kachin State by land and waterway. It is found that the army is gradually carrying out the supply of weapons and rations. I don’t know when the fighting will take place. No one can know when the fighting will erupt. According to my personal estimate, the army may start fighting at the end of the rainy season. It is not the estimation of the KIO/KIA. That’s why, I would like to call on the public to be on alert. Now, the internet is cut off in Hpakant. Internet blackouts is not a thing that benefits the public.
Q: Now, the KIA is carrying out attacks in Kachin State in cooperation with the PDF. May I know how the KIA will cooperate with the PDF?
A: I don’t talk about whether the KIA will cooperate with the PDF or not. I can’t reveal the fact about the joint attack with the PDFs as it is related to tasks. It is linked to the KIA. In my personal view, we will fight back if the army carries out offensives.
Q: At present, the people have assumed that there will be intense fighting at the end of the rainy season. Can you explain the fact about the possible occurrence of town-capturing battle?
A: We have no reason to issue the statement about the battle. Even I myself don’t know it. It is just the people’s estimation, assumption and anxiety. The KIO has not released a statement about it. I have no mandate to reveal it to the media. No need to say it.
Q: Finally, which message do you want to give to the public?
A: I have nothing special. I would like to call on the people to be cautious about their security. Thank You.
Sent by the KNG.
