YANGON. Mar 2: Myanmar's dry-season offensive has rolled over ethnic Karen strongholds but the ruling junta has been less successful in resolving the political challenge posed by the country's many minorities, reports AFP.

For decades, ethnic-based guerilla movements have fought the central government for the right to live without irv terference from the majority Burmese in their own areas around Myanmar's borders.

And for decades, the central government has opposed those demands as leading to unacceptable instability and tantamount to breaking up the nation.

Fifteen of the 16 big guerilla groups have signed ceasefires in exchange for development assistance from the central government. The only holdout, the Karen National Union (KNU), is now the target of a military juggernaut.

Cessation of battlefield hostilities is only part of the story.

The junta, officially known as the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), must also reach political agreement with the minorities if there is to be peace and political unity.

The junta "can neutralise the minorities militarily, but they still have to address their political grievances, and there is no sign they are prepared to do that if it means compromise." a foreign diplomat commented.

Negotiations on power-sharing are under way in the National Convention which is outlining a new constitution for Myanmar, SLORC officials say.

Minority leaders say there are no contacts now and talks are deadlocked.