Oct 20, 2008 (DVB), The Karen National Union has completed its 14th congress, which was held on KNU-controlled territory from 6 October and attended by top leaders of the KNU and its military wing, the Karen National Liberation Army.
An official from the KNU's military headquarters said that a new chair, deputy chair and secretary had been voted in.
"The chairman is general Tamlabaw, the deputy chairman is David Takapaw and the secretary-general is Naw Zipporrah Sein," the official explained.
"We can’t yet say who the secretaries will be."
Former deputy chairperson general Tamlabaw had been acting chairman since the death of the previous incumbent Pado Saw Ba Thin Sein in May.
He will be the seventh chair of the KNU.
General Tamlabaw, David Takapaw and Naw Zipporrah Sein could not be reached for comment.
The KNU official said the KNU and KNLA would continue to follow the four principles set out by KNU founder Saw Ba U Gyi.
"We will fight on with democratic forces until we get a true federal union and true peace, we have decided," the official said.
"The four principles are that Karen weapons must be in Karen hands, one kyat for the Karen for every one kyat for the Burman, no surrender and self-determination," he said.
"We will continue to stand by these four principles."
The decisions on the KNU's strategy and future activities that have come out of the conference will be announced at a press conference soon, according to senior KNU leaders.
The 13th KNU congress was held from 12 to 16 December 2005.
Reporting by Htet Yazar