THE government’s
National Reconciliation and Peace Centre (NRPC) and representatives of the four
groups KIO (Kachin Independence Organization), MNTJP (Myanmar National Truth
and Justice Party), PSLF (Palaung State Liberation Front) and ULA (United
League of Arakan) met at the Amazing Kengtung Resort in Kengtung (Shan State)
yesterday morning to discuss signing of the Bilateral Ceasefire Agreement.
Union
Attorney-General U Tun Tun Oo, in his capacity as the vice chairman of the
NRPC, extended his greetings saying that the meeting was a significant event
for the peace making process, and that discussions had been made during the
previous occasions in Kengtung for the future ceasefire plan.
During that meeting,
both sides thoroughly discussed to stop recent armed conflicts. As a result,
the attacks had significantly become fewer along the Union Road despite small
remaining clashes in some areas. The three northern ethnic armed groups made a
ceasefire announcement as proposed by the government. This situation was
recognized as a progress in the ongoing ceasefire attempts. Both sides need to
maintain this momentum.
The government
discussed the draft proposal of the northern four ethnic armed groups to sign
the bilateral ceasefire agreement. Although there were no notable
controversies, there were still pending issues on monitoring processes. He was
hopeful that this agreement would be signed after both sides had reached
agreement.
The unilateral
ceasefire announcement by the Tatmadaw would expire on 21 September.
The NRPC vice
chairman also urged the representatives of armed groups to bring about a
ceasefire agreement as the people across the country were worrying about the
results of this meeting.
He also remarked
that the peace process would include signing the preliminary bilateral
ceasefire agreement with the four northern armed groups in this first stage,
and to proceed for making detailed agreements with each individual group. The
next step would be the discussions for Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement. After
these stages, the political dialogues will be held with the participation of
all four northern armed groups in accordance with the roadmap based on the
results of the peace talks.
The peace
process for northern Myanmar was very important at the moment. Dialogues need
to be held very frequently to build mutual trust.
The government
was also preparing for holding the fourth session of the Union Peace
Conference-21st Century Panglong with the NCA signatories before the 2020
General Election. This session was expected to finalize political agreements in
building the Democratic Federal Republic, agreements on lasting ceasefire,
agreements on basic principles on democracy and federal system, ongoing plans
beyond 2020, and implementation procedures.
In adopting the
peace process beyond 2020, the ideas of the four northern armed groups were
seriously taken into account as the government has recognized that the northern
armed groups played crucial role in adopting the future peace process.
Recognizing the
seriousness of the meeting, the government side was represented by NRPC
members, Lieutenant Generals from the Tatmadaw, Vice Chairman of the Peace
Commission, its secretary and members.
KIO General
Secretary Kumhtat Hting Nan said that he recognized the development of the
fourth meeting due to participation of senior Tatmadaw officers to be able to
make wider discussions.
He also said the
four northern armed groups welcomed the agreements of NRPC on their draft
proposal in the previous meeting, and that it had been a driving force for the
progress of meeting. The four armed groups were willing to continue the peace
talks without prior conditions. The remaining issues were to be discussed in
accordance with the dialogue plan for stronger ceasefire agreement. He added
that the four armed groups have reviewed the draft proposal.
Hopefully the
participation of senior Tatmadaw personnel would reduce conflicts between the
Tatmadaw and the armed groups on the ground, and it was hoped that harsh
condemnations of each other would not be made. It was hoped that constructive
talks would be made to solve problems.
Then, the
representatives discussed the draft Bilateral Ceasefire Agreement in detail.
The meeting was
attended by Vice Chairman of NRPC and Union Attorney-General U Tun Tun Oo, Lt-
Gen Yar Pyae, Lt-Gen Min Naung, Lt-Gen Tin Maung Win from the Office of the
Commander in Chief (Army), Vice Chairman of the Peace Commission U Thein Zaw,
its Secretary retired Lt-Gen Khin Zaw Oo, member of Advisory Board for Peace
Commission U Moe Zaw Oo, Shan State government’s Security and Border Affairs
Minister Colonel Hla Oo, Director-General U Zaw Htay from Ministry of the
Office of the State Counsellor, Secretary of Stan State government U Soe Soe
Zaw and peace negotiator U Thet Naing.
From the EAOs
side KIO representative head KIO general secretary, MNTJP representative group
head, ULA representative head ULA secretary general and PSLF representative
group head PSLF General-Secretary attended the meeting. Peacetalk Creation
Group (PCG) representatives also attended the meeting as observers.
NRPC
representatives and representatives of four EAOs had met in Muse on 30 April,
Mongla on 30 June and Kengtung on 31 August for the Bilateral Ceasefire
Agreement and this was the fourth meeting.
After the day’s
meeting between NRPC and KIO, PSLF, MNTJP, ULA representatives, the heads of
the two sides signed a 7 points meeting minutes.
In his
concluding remark at the end of the meeting PSLF representative head General
Secretary Tar Bone Kyaw said the day’s meeting held for the second time in
Kengtung brought many expectations for peace. Many tea breaks were taken and
discussions were intense. Even though some expectations for peace that were
hoped for were not achieved, some good results had been achieved. In their
opinion agreeing to discuss again another time, agreeing on a work process to
achieve a true ceasefire and sign an agreement could be regarded as good
results. However, thinking back, leaders from both side need to work towards
freeing the people from the damage caused by conflict. Tatmadaw leaders
attended the meeting together with NRPC. He added that even though there were
conflicts at lower levels, they were able to hear the leaders speaking their
minds and thought this was a good basis to stop the war.
Afterwards, Vice
Chairman of NRPC and Union Attorney-General U Tun Tun Oo said the last Kengtung
meeting discussed the proposal of the four groups and that the day’s meeting
continued with further discussions and coordination efforts were made.
Agreements reached were issued as meeting minutes. Discussions were made point
by point based on the meeting minutes and agreement was reached to meet again
in October to discuss signing of the bilateral agreement, ending the ongoing
fighting, IDP matters, troop deployment, ending the seizing of personnel and
finding conflict resolution methods. Efforts would be made towards signing an
agreement, said the NRPC vice chairman.
After the
meeting, Director General U Zaw Htay from the Ministry of the State
Counsellor’s Office held a press conference with local and foreign news media.
Ye Khaung Nyunt
(Translated by
Aung Khin)
PHOTO: PHOE
HTAUNG
Ref; The Global
New Light of Myanmar
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