07.01.2007
Saw Bo Mya’s Revolutionary Life
_ By Maung Chan
Saw Bo Mya, the legendary leader of Karen people suffered from diabetes in the course of time. He sat in a wheelchair since years. On 24-December 2006 at 2:00 a.m. we were so shocked to learn that he had passed away, just 79 of age, at the Thai-Burma border, leaving his wife Naw Lar Poe and six children behind.
I was born and grew up at Pantanaw, a rich land of rice and fish in the Irrawaddy Delta, living together with Karen people. Since my childhood my Karen relatives and friends told me about General Bo Mya’s heroic story and his devotion to the Karen national liberation. During my study at the Rangoon University, I was learned from the progressive teachers and students, political leaders as well, about his skillful guerrilla warfare against the Burmese junta. During my specialized study in Germany and working in Germany and Holland I knew from the former premier U Nu and the ethnic leaders such as SDU General Secretary Sai Wansai and KNU General Saw Sarky etc about his hatreds, love and political destination.
General Bo Mya, belonging to the Sqaw Karen tribe, was born and grew up at Hteemukee Village of Mudraw District. Born as an animist until he met his wife Naw Lar Poe and since then he accepts the Baptist Christian faith.
Without any formal education, he, however, learns everything by his experiences of life and hard self-study. He is honest and open-minded, loves justice and equality. He spent his whole life in defense of his Karen people. He led his people and KNU (Karen National Union) since 1948-49 struggling for the national rights, dignity and self-determination . He founded the Karen National Liberation Army and was its Commander-in-Chief until 2000. So he earns, no need to say, the respect and love from Karen people of all backgrounds, both Pwo and Sqaw, from urban as well as rural.
In the 1980’s he was not only the paramount leader of KNU, but also the beloved leader of all nationalities of Burma, both those of the armed struggle and the democratic movement. He united at that time other ethnic armed forces, such as those of Karenni, Mon, Shan, Kachin, Chin, Arakan etc to build the National Democratic Front, using the countryside to encircle the cities. In 1988-90,the junta lost the General Election but refused to hand-over the power to the people. The junta dared even to oppress the democratic parties and kill the peacefully demonstrating students, farmers, workers and monks.
All oppressed people came to his liberated area. Bo Mya’s army and people accepted them warmly and built with them the Democratic Alliance of Burma. General Bo Mya was elected as its president. The revolutionary base Marnerplaw at that time became the anti-junta stronghold and lighthouse of all nationalities of the Whole Burma.
At the 13th Conference of KNU in December 2004, General Bo Mya resigned his executing position due to health problem but remained as the leading advisor. General Tarmalarbaw,81 years old, succeeded his hard-work position.
General Bo Mya is the revolutionary leader of armed struggle who never bows before the enemy; however he is a peace-loving great leader as well. Whenever there is a chance for peace, he never gives it up. In 2004, he got a chance to make “the gentleman agreement” with General Khin Nyunt, then the Premier. He went personally without any fear to Rangoon, trying his best for the peace-talk. In 2006, his successor General Tarmalarbaw continued his peace-talk twice in Moulmein, the capital of Mon State.
General Bo Mya speaks always the truth. What he hates is the Burmese Chauvinism and the military dictatorship, what he loves is social justice, national equality and self-determination, and what he pursues is the genuine federal union of Burma.
"Our revolution is one that must fight against evil and all the wrongs. We must never go against the masses of the country." Said Bo Mya.
The passing away of General Bo Mya is indeed the great loss of all nationalities of Burma, either from the armed force or from the democratic force.
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