Work for inclusive peace building- Door to peace open to NCA non-signatories: State Counsellor

October 30, 2017

State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi reaffirmed the government’s policy of inclusiveness in the peace-making process, saying the door always opens to ethnic armed groups who have not yet signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement.

Speaking at the 12th meeting of the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee-UPDJC, the State Counsellor said in her capacity as the chairperson of the committee, that the Union Government was placing great emphasis on the participation of the non-signatories to the NCA in the national reconciliation and peace processes of the Union.

“We must walk towards the goal of a federal union with national unity. Building national unity needs national reconciliation and peace. So I would like to urge members of the UPDJC to work for all inclusiveness in the national reconciliation and peace process as much as you can,” said the State Counsellor.

The Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee held its 12th meeting in Nay Pyi Taw, with the opening address by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

She called on members of the committee to make firm commitments to complete works for laying down the basic principles for a federal union in 2018.

Only when political dialogues achieve success can the basic principles for a federal Union be laid down. Meanwhile, the UPJDC plays an important role in bringing lasting peace to the Union, said the State Counsellor.

“I want to urge all for participating in building a federal union looking into the future,” she added.

She also expressed her hope that the peace makers would bring new and better ideas to the peace negotiation table, urging them to cooperate with each other for more productive political dialogues.

The meeting will decide topics to be discussed at the third meeting of the Union Peace Conference-21st Century Panglong before moving to the political dialogues.

She also stressed the need for UPDJC to give sufficient time and space for the political dialogues.

Reviewing and amending the framework for political dialogues is expected to be completed in the 12th meeting of the UPDJC.

State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also stressed the need for drawing up Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to be able to implement the agreements effectively and to establish an office for the UPDJC.

Afterward, Dr Salai Hlyan Hmone, leader of EAO-UPDJC said on behalf of Vice-Chairman of UPDJC said, “We hereby want to urge our leaders to make efforts for holding national-level political dialogues in the places, especially those of RCSS and ALP where national-level political dialogues could not be held yet, as the State Counsellor has paved the way. As submitted to the State Counsellor, we would like to request for taking time enough between the meetings or steps in carrying out the tasks. Especially we, armed national ethnic groups are living apart. We do not belong the same race and same organization, hence need to take time for negotiation. Looking at the NCA, it is described in the political road map No. 1 that Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement is to be inked. Only upon the completion of this, drawing the framework, from then holding national-level political dialogues and thence convention of UPC must be implemented. Only if all of the UPDJC strictly abide by as described in the road-map of NCA, will we be more strengthened.”

Following that, U Thu Wai, Vice-Chairman of UPDJC said, “Peace we hoped for is a matter of great importance and difficulty. We were well convinced of delays. The more we found it difficult to become the successful peace conference, the more we developed in our qualification and skills. We must double our efforts. Then, we will reach our goal very close. Political parties gathered to discuss so that we can study and assess the conditions experienced in the previous conference. It is aimed at gaining the best achievements for the sake of the nation, in combination between political parties and UPDJC. Provided that political dialogues are to be successfully held, NCA must be signed. Signing the NCA is the most fundamental thing. As for the UPDJC, in laying down peace process, it needs to make decisions with broadmindedness by looking forward the better future of the country and next generations.” After that, those present at the meeting discussed various matters—designation of titles to be discussed in the 3rd session of UPC-21st Century Panglong, holding national-level dialogues, designations of places and types to be held, and term papers to be discussed in the working committees of UPDJC.

Present at the meeting were UPDJC members—representatives from the government, representatives from armed national ethnic groups who are NCA signatories, political parties group and responsible officials.

Myanmar News Agency

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar