Union Accord will have 51 agreed points

Representatives of the Government, Hluttaw, Tatmadaw, the ethnic armed organizations and political parties have agreed on the 14 points in connection with the four major sectors — political, economic, social, land and environmental sectors — the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC) presented to the Union Peace Conference — 21st Century Panglong (Third Session) to be signed as the second part of the Union Accord, according to a press meet.

After the conclusion of the final day session of the Union Peace Conference: 21st Century Panglong (Third Session), secretaries of the UPDJC U Hla Maung Shwe, U Zaw Htay, Dr Salai Lian Hmung Sakhong and Sai Kyaw Nyunt met the press at Myanmar International Convention Centre II at 8.10 pm.

Despite some terminological changes in the political secror and some disagreements, finally an accord was reached on the 14 points in connection with the four major sectors — political, economic, social, land and environmental issues. Dr Salai Lian Hmung Sakhong said, “We have to use the term ‘the Union based on democracy and federalism’, and we needed an adjective for it. Tatmadaw representatives proposed ‘Republic of the Union of Myanmar’. We, after coordinating with ethnic armed groups, used the term ‘Republic of the Union of Myanmar’ as stated in the NCA. The matter was settled.” The statement released by the conference says that the conference will be held for three times — one in 2018 and the other two in 2019. But a consensus was reached for another conference in 2020.

“If we can produce basic principles at the first three conferences, we do not need to hold another one in 2020. But if an agreement cannot be reached, a proposal on the basic principles will be presented at the 2020 conference,” said Dr Salai Lian Hmung Sakhong.

Equality and non-secession from Union, which are the basic principles of federalism, will be reviewed as a topic for the next conference. U Hla Maung Shwe said, “The important thing is to build trust in the peace process. The government will make preparations after the conference ends the next day.

Relevant groups will review the issue, followed by collective discussions. The work of making amendments on the political framework and assessments will be carried out in early September. Definitely, we are preparing to hold a conference before the end this year.”

U Zaw Htay said, “We will not let any disturbances to any part of the political dialogue. We all know that we must build trust. We can find the answer to a political dialogue through compromises. We believe the coming conference will produce better results.”

Dr Salai Lian Hmung Sakhong said, “We of the secretariat of the UPDJC will exercise patience in finding the answer on the technical part. We are also trying to find the answer through a meeting among the leaders.”

The participation of all the seven ethnic armed groups from northern Myanmar is a good initiation for all-inclusiveness. A meeting will be held with the seven groups soon, it is learnt.

As regards the participation of non-signatories, U Zaw Htay said, “The participation of non-signatories has made the conference significant. They met with others, including the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services. In the past, the three northern groups, AA, TNLA and MNDAA were not asked to sign the NCA. But now, we have told them to sign it. The statement issued by Wa group also urged them to do so. They had brought with them a lot of food for thought. We will meet with the seven groups a few days after the conclusion of the conference. We are happy with the results.”

The final day of the conference will witness the signing of 14-points — four points of the political sector, one point of the economic sector, seven points of the social sector and two points of the land and environment sector –as the second part of the Union Accord. The Second Session of the Union Peace Conference — 21st Century Panglong agreed 37 points on the four sectors and the present conference will sign another 14 points. So, the Union Accord will have 51 agreed points.

By Ye Khaung Nyunt, Photo: Phoe Khwar

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar