JMC-U holds 16th meeting at NRPC in Yangon

The Union-level Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC-U) held its 16th meeting at the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre (NRPC) in Yangon yesterday morning, where the outbreak of conflict between Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) signatories was discussed, among other issues.

The meeting was attended by JMC-U Chairman Lt-Gen Yar Pyae and Tatmadaw representatives Lt-Gen Aye Win, Lt-Gen Than Tun Oo and Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Aung Soe, JMC-U Vice Chairman (1) Saw Isaac Po and heads of ethnic armed organizations, JMC-U Vice Chairman (2) U Pyae Sone and civilian representatives and members of the technical assistance office.

In his message of greetings to the meeting, JMC-U Chairman Lt-Gen Yar Pyae said there are pre-selected programmes for the meeting, as well as continued open discussions on policies that were the result of yesterday’s general meeting. The chairman primarily urged open discussion on future works in implementing JMC works and works to be discussed and negotiated for their own organizations. To systematically implement the JMC works, all JMC levels are being formed with ethnic armed organizations, government, Tatmadaw and trusted civilian representatives.

There were some small outbreaks of conflicts between NCA signatories due to weaknesses in meeting and resolving issues among committee members, the chairman said. In some cases, there were worries of past incidents recurring again.

“Trust is to be established through transparency, taking responsibility and getting to know one another. Only then can peaceful and stable regional development works can be implemented. Peace can be implemented together with mutual trust and reliance. In the day’s secretariat meeting, policies set in the general meeting and works to be conducted will be discussed. To achieve real peace, committee members of all levels of JMC need to be patient and free from bias”, said the Chairman.

In his greeting speech, JMC-U Vice Chairman (1) Saw Isaac Po said two-and-a-half years had passed since the NCA was signed, but all need to accept that there are still suspicions and worries in both armed organizations. That was why JMC-U Chairman was urging to build trust in every JMC meeting.

However, levels of trust differ between regions and all need to take special care in doing things in regions where the level of trust is low. Ample time should be taken to conduct coordination well in advance. Some small acts can destroy existing trust, pushing all back towards an armed conflict situation.

This is based upon current events. All must be careful not to conduct any acts that would create obstacles on the path toward peace. Don’t do anything that destroy trust and do things that strengthen the ceasefire.

Both armed organizations are defending and protecting the people according to their own beliefs and both need to conduct discussions as soon as possible for displaced persons to settle back in their places of origin and prevent any recurrence of incidences between the armed organizations.

All were urged to resolve conflicts without using force, said the Vice Chairman (1).

The meeting started after the welcoming speech by JMC-U Vice Chairman (2) U Pyae Sone. Implementation of decisions made in the 15th meeting, discussions made at the secretariat meeting, the summary of the JMC second general meeting, the discussion on ceasefire implementation between 15th and 16th meeting and general discussions were made at the meeting.

JMC-U 16th meeting that started yesterday will continue for two more days. The Secretariat meeting of all levels of JMC was held on 7 May and the JMC second general meeting was held on 8 and 9 May in Yangon, it is learnt.

By Zaw Gyi

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar