ZCZC
BFF-08
MYANMAR-REBEL-PEACE
Myanmar armed groups vow to continue peace meetings with gov’t
YANGON, July 15, 2018 (BSS/XINHUA) – Seven armed groups have vowed to
continue peace meetings with the government, saying that they will discuss
the message delivered by Myanmar authorities at the 21st Century Panglong
Peace Conference in Nay Pyi Taw, official media reported Sunday.
The third session of the six-day Panglong Peace Conference kicked off on
Wednesday and the seven Northern Alliance groups attended the conference
until Saturday, the 4th day of the session, according to the official Global
New Light of Myanmar.
The Northern Alliance includes Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), the
United Wa State Army (UWSA), Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP), Mongla’s
National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), Kokang’s Myanmar National
Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), Ta,ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and
Arakan Army (AA).
They did not sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Accord (NCA) in 2015, which
have been inked by 10 armed groups.
Vice Chairman of the KIO Gun Maw promised that the armed groups will try
to come back again to continue the peace process.
On the sidelines of the conference, representatives of the armed groups
met separately with Peace Commission Chairman Tin Myo Win, State Counselor
Aung San Suu Kyi and Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Services Sen-Gen Min
Aung Hlaing.
A representative of the UWSA said their official meetings with the
government leadership represented a significant step forward in the peace
process.
U Zaw Htay, who is director-general of the State Counselor’s Office and
also secretary of the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC), said the
government will deal with the AA, MNDAA and TNLA in a format different from
the discussions with KIO, UWSA, NDAA and SSPP.
The ongoing Panglong conference is focusing on remaining points related to
political, economic, social, security, and land and natural environment
sectors, submitted by the UPDJC, for adoption to be included in a union
agreement for peace.
BSS/XINHUA/GMR/0930 hrs