Karens approach the military for settlement BBC News - 19 December, 2005 Karens approach the military for settlement A brigade from the biggest rebel group in Burma approached the military government secretly to negotiate for a possible autonomous region in their territory. The seventh brigade from Karen National Union secretly met with the SPDC representatives on its own accord, hoping certain ‘privileges’, KNU spokesperson David Takabaw confirmed. Such actions, David Takabaw said, compromise the principles of KNU and the group has been reminded to uphold these principles which bar surrendering arms and submitting to the military regime. Ceasefire and business deals Ethnic rebel groups which secured ceasefire agreements with the regime are granted lucrative business deals, such as logging and gambling, in their own territories. Some of them are allegedly involved in opium productions and human trafficking. Some elements from the seventh brigade might be expecting such profitable business from its possible settlement with the junta, KNU spokesperson said. SPDC and KNU KNU themselves held talks with the Burmese junta as recently as last year but they produced no results. The junta has been ‘busy’ with its national convention and any meeting between the two sides is not expected at least until the completion of current political process. And no political settlement can be expected given the fact that the junta is not interested in any political negotiation with any opposition. ~