Burma's largest ethnic rebel group Monday demanded that the government resume stalled peace talks.
Karen National Union (KNU) army commander Mutu said his group is ready to talk or fight, whichever is necessary.
The rebel group has been waging a separatist struggle for decades, but started cease-fire talks with the government in 2003. Those talks led to a provisional truce a year ago.
But talks on formalizing the cease-fire have been suspended since October, when Burma's General Khin Nyunt was forced to step down as Prime Minister.
A news report on AFP credits him with working out agreements with several other restive ethnic groups.
Information for this report is provided by AP and AFP.