An interview with U Khaing Thukha, Spokesperson of the Arakan Army (AA) about the AA’s response to the military leader’s statement that a political dialogue is needed, and the situation of the displaced Arakan people.
At the military council’s meeting held on 4 December, military leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said that the military council force which is suffering heavy losses from offensives across the country, should resolve it by political means.
At that meeting, he emphasized the military situation in Arakan and Karenni states and accused the AA of working to destabilize the Arakan State.
The Than Lwin Times interviewed U Khaing Thukha, Spokesperson of the AA about the AA’s response to the military leader’s statement to solve it by political means, attitudes and the situation of the displaced people in Arakan State.
Q: First of all, what is the AA’s opinion on the military leader’s statement to solve it by political means?
A: According to the terrorist military council’s statement, the military council which is facing a general crisis will hold political dialogue and want to find a political exit. One thing to think about here is that if he meets and discusses politics, on what basis will he discuss it? Holding talks based on the 2008 Constitution and the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) is a matter that no one can accept. It is a matter of not working. Since 1962, successive military councils seized power in Myanmar, and all these discussions made in the successive governments produced no result. There has never been a successful political dialogue in history. Another point is that the terrorist military council, which says it will hold a political dialogue, is not a political organization. It is not a government that is elected by the people, nor is it a government that represents the people. Therefore, it is not an official organization for political dialogue. It is a terrorist army. In my view, the political dialogue mentioned by the military council chair will not materialize. It is meaningless.
Q: How would the AA like to respond to the offer of peace talks to solve the current problem by political means?
A: The terrorist military council is not an organization that can be guaranteed politically. Holding talks with the terrorist military council will not produce any result. The military council would buy the time and then solve it. The military council will attack the revolutionary forces if the situation is better. It will unjustly arrest and kill the people. Therefore, the political dialogue that the military council is talking about is only for their own interest, not for the public interest. So, this matter has no effect in essence. I view it as a meaningless word.
Q: Next, what would you like to comment on the military leader’s statement that the AA is trying to destabilize Arakan State?
A: The leader of the terrorist military council accused that armed organizations are working to destabilize the region. I would like to say that the military council’s accusation is a matter of shameless and dishonorable talk.
The military council is working to destabilize the whole country across the country including the Arakan State, with the use of the ground, naval and air forces. It is the terrorist military council troops which violently attack and kill the people, bomb villages and towns and burn, loot and destroy the property of the public.
The public themselves knows that the whole country has to suffer the junta’s violence. The international community is aware of this issue. That is why, the truth and the crimes committed by the terrorist military council on the ground will not disappear every time they spread false propaganda through the military-controlled newspapers and TV channels.
Our United League of Arakan (ULA), has systematically recorded all regiments and units of the Myanmar terrorist fascist army and those who are involved in committing acts of violence against our people. We will respond precisely.
Q: What is the situation of civilian casualties, displacement and the need for humanitarian aid in Arakan State?
A: A total of 126,343 people and 21,426 households are displaced by the terrorist fascist military council’s indiscriminate shelling and airstrikes and heavy shelling by the navy. More than 30 people have been killed and more than 110 people wounded. A total of 113 Arakan people have been unjustly arrested by the terrorist military council. The number of displaced people can be recorded, and there are many people who have yet to be recorded. Therefore, the number of people who fled the war may be more than the number we have mentioned.
Sent by Than Lwin Times