May 11, 2009 (DVB), A senior member of Burma's main armed opposition group has been issued with a warning after he broke rank by giving out false information and damaging the group's reputation, says a spokesperson.
In a March interview with The Irrawaddy news organization, executive committee member and joint secretary (1) of the Karen National Union (KNU), David Htaw, criticised current KNU leaders who were living in Thailand and not with KNU troops inside Burma.
"Some of his messages damaged our dignity," said Saw Hla Ngwe, KNU Joint Secretary (2).
"Also, some of his messages were not true."
In the interview, David Htaw voiced concerns that the current KNU structure, with some members in exile, could lead to weakening morale, and suggested the group should be "rebuilt".
Htaw remains a spokesperson of the KNU, and the group's joint secretary (1), although "actions will be taken" to prevent him making a "similar mistake", said Saw Hla Ngwe.
The conflict between the KNU and the Burmese government has spanned six decades, and is the world's longest running civil war.
The group has met with the government on five separate occasions to discuss reconciliation, but each time talks have broken down.
Reporting by Rosalie Smith
