A National Reconciliation and Peace Centre (NRPC) representative group and Karen National Union (KNU) held an informal meeting at NRPC in Shweli Road, Yangon yesterday.
 

In the meeting plans for the interim period prescribed in Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), four points proposal to be conducted simultaneously in the government peace process work and development matters of ethnic nationals in the region were discussed and scheduled to meet again in August.
 

Director-General of the Ministry of State Counsellor’s Office U Zaw Htay said, “Government side had proposed to follow four tracks simultaneously during the last UPDJC (Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee) Secretariat meeting. This was explained. KNU discussed plans for the interim period prescribed in NCA. Both KNU and the government sides discussed their respective thoughts. There were about five points. The final point was to meet in coming August. We gave them the government’s proposal. KNU work group will discuss this proposal, submit to central work committee and try to meet again in August. Building trust is crucial after signing NCA. Developmental matters of ethnic nationals in the region were discussed.”
 

The government’s peace process works to be conducted simultaneously are defining NCA implementation, interim period matters, propose and discuss security matters, to work towards achieving basic federal principles at Union Peace Conference under the NCA path process, conduct stage wise matters in stages between the government and ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) during pre and post 2020 periods, work toward participation of NCA non-signatories and proposal to implement projects in ethnic national regions where NCA was signed so that the benefit of peace can be experienced.

Matters relating to NCA implementation must be acceptable. We must strive toward achieving federal basic principles in peace conference. Things to do for holding peace conference before 2020. Things to do stage by stage after 2020. Other matters are for the local people to enjoy the benefit of peace. The Government had proposed to do these simultaneously, said Director General U Zaw Htay.

Ministry of State Counsellor’s Office Director General U Zaw Htay, Peace Commission Adviser Group members U Hla Maung Shwe, Dr Min Zaw Oo and U Moe Zaw Oo attended the day’s meeting as NRPC representatives. KNU joint general secretary Pado Saw Say Pwe, central committee member Pado Naw Dah Dah, Pado Mahn Ba Tun, Pado Saw Nay Thabalay, Pado Saw L Klu Shwe Oo and Naw May Oo attended the meeting representing the KNU.

On 11 November 2018, KNU announced a temporary suspension of participating in formal peace process meetings and to pursue a solution through informal meetings. After that announcement, it had held eight informal meetings with the government representative group. —Ye Gaung Nyunt
 

(Translated by Zaw Min)