18 July
National Reconciliation and Peace Centre Vice Chairman U Tun Tun Oo, who is also the Union Attorney-General, met with a delegation led by Khu Oo Reh, the leader of the peace implementation committee of the Karenni National Progressive Party, yesterday to discuss the peace process and the signing of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement.
At the meeting, held at the NRPC in Nay Pyi Taw, U Tun Tun Oo said the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre and the Peace Commission were negotiating with the signatories to the NCA for proceeding with the peace process with understanding and confidence, before the fourth session of the Union Peace Conference-21st Century Panglong.
While negotiating for the NCA, the two sides have also discussed regional development, he added.
To help the residents in areas where ethnic armed organizations operate to enjoy the benefits of peace and to develop their socio-economic conditions, the NRPC was focusing on resettlement of internally displaced persons, infrastructure, transportation, agriculture, education, and health, using its funds and assistance from the UN and NGOs, he said.
At the same time, the Union Government has opened the door for peace for the EAOs, including KNPP, which have not yet signed the NCA, and has been holding negotiations as part of efforts for building a Democratic Federal Republic aspired by all, and for effectively working together for regional development under the umbrella of the NCA, said U Tun Tun Oo.
The KNPP can be said to have played a major role in the NCA process as this EAO has taken part in negotiations for peace during the tenure of the previous government, said U Tun Tun Oo.
He also appreciated the leadership role of Khu Oo Reh, Vice Chairman of the KNPP, who led the Delegation for Peace Negotiation-DPN of the United Nationalities Federal Council-UNFC in the negotiation with the Union Government, which brought about good results.
Though the New Mon State Party-NMSP and the Lahu Democratic Union-LDU, both of whom were members of the UNFC, signed the NCA, KNPP has not yet taken part in the NCA-led process to peace, and was in negotiation with the government, said the Vice Chairman of the NRPC.
The KNPP has held peace negotiations with the Union Government for 24 times and the two sides achieved good results and built trust and understanding in every negotiation.
“Therefore, I would like to urge KNPP to take one more step forward with more close cooperation with the Union Government and to fully participate in the current peace making process,” said U Tun Tun Oo.
He continued to say that the peace talks would focus on signing NCA, regional development and seeking ways for proceeding with the peace making process, expressing his hope that regional stability and development could be carried out with more close cooperation with the government if the KNPP fully participated in the peace making process.
He also called for open discussions in the meeting.
Afterwards, Khu Oo Reh, Chairman of the DPN of the KNPP, said the two sides met at the negotiation table to resolve the problems that had happened for over 70 years.
He said the problem between the two sides could be considered consequences of the political problems, calling for resolving the problems while upholding the spirit of brotherhood.
“Hence, we should see the problem as a problem and focus the existing problem to find ways for resolving them,” said Khu Oo Reh.
He continued to say that both sides would understand each other and the issues they discussed as the two sides have held a number of peace talks.
“If there is a willingness to find a way which can bring both sides work together with magnanimous attitude, it is not difficult to resolve the problem,” said Khu Oo Reh.
He also stressed the need not to stop just at the conclusion of ‘Principally Agreed’ after the negotiation that happened in previous meetings, saying that the word ‘principally agreed’ made him feel that the points which were principally agreed were not fully agreeable.
“Hence, the negotiation between the two sides should reached beyond the “Principally Agreed” and should bring about commitment to finding a solution,” he said.
Afterwards, U Zaw Htay, Director-General of the Office of the State Counsellor, and Khu Oo Reh explained the peace making efforts for the NRPC and KNPP respectively before the both sides’ discussion at the meeting.
Following the meeting, Khu Oo Reh gave remarks on the meeting, calling the negotiation with the NRPC a shift towards peace.
In his remarks after the meeting, U Tun Tun Oo, Vice Chairman of the NRPC, said the NRPC has held peace talks with KNPP on 18 March, 2019, with KNU on 11 April, 2019, with KHCC on 26th April 2019 and with RCSS on 11 July 2019.
The Peace Commission was in negotiation with UWSA and four organizations of the Northern Alliance, for signing NCA and for regional development.
On behalf of the local people, he expressed thanks to the KNPP for holding the ceasefire for seven years beginning in 2012.
He also expressed thanks for building mutual trust and understanding though there were some obstacles on the road to peace.
He also urged the KNPP side to proceed with the peace making work in the schedule discussed at the negotiation table as the KNPP could implement the NCA with more close cooperation with the Union Government and the Kayah State Government after it signed the NCA.
Also present at the meeting were member of the NRPC Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, Secretary of the Peace Commission Lt-Gen Khin Zaw Oo (Retd), members of the Kayah State Cabinet Col Myint Wai and U Maw Maw, Advisor to the Office of the President U Paw Lwin Sein, members of the Peace Commission U Hla Maung Shwe and U Moe Zaw Oo, members of the KNPP U Phone Naing, Maw Day Day Phaw, Khu Nyay Rah, Al Mwe, Khu Taw Rah (S) and officials. —MNA
(Translated by GNLM)
