A National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NRPC) delegation led by Vice Chairman Dr. Tin Myo Win met with Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) peace negotiation representative group led by Sao Baung Khay at NRPC in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.

At the meeting NRPC Vice Chairman Dr. Tin Myo Win said the unofficial meeting was held for damage control of problems prior to holding the fourth session of 21st Century Panglong Conference and once the issues were thoroughly discussed an official meeting will be restarted. Such unofficial meetings were held numerous times between government and NCA-S-EAOs. RCSS representatives had participated in the unofficial meeting held between NRPC and NCA-S- EAOs leaders on 13 February 2019. Afterwards government representatives and RCSS was able to meet unofficially again in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The result is the NRPC-RCSS meeting. Good results are expected from this meeting. Establishment of a democracy federal union was included in the first section of the NCA. It was a pledge toward establishing a union based on democracy and federal system according to the result of the discussion. A union based on freedom, equality and justice fully guaranteeing democracy, national equality and self-determination rights according to Panglong spirit. There were differences in understanding and views during the implementation. All were striving toward the success of the work process and an open and cordial discussion is invited and matters to be fulfilled from the government side are to be discussed.

Next, head of RCSS peace negotiation representative group said the RCSS had decided to continue along the NCA path. However, the group was attending the meeting to discuss obstacles and misunderstandings. The main obstacle was detention and imprisonments and NRPC is requested to consider the matter emphatically. Misunderstandings between civilians and between troops will also be discussed. The matter of Shan national level meeting is also another obstacle in going down the NCA path. It is difficult to attend the conference without knowing the wish of the people. Conducting development works is important. There were misunderstanding over drug issue and civilians and troops were being imprisoned. Once these issue are resolved the group will have no difficulty going down the NCA path, said the head of RCSS peace discussion representative group.

Afterwards Director General U Zaw Htay explained about peace related matters conducted after the third session of Union Peace Conference — 21st Century Panglong.

This was followed by meeting attendees discussing about freeing 31 RCSS personnel detained and imprisoned, holding national level peace negotiation, regional development, drug eradication, internal displaced person matters and future peace process works and then comments of both sides were compiled.

Both the head of RCSS peace negotiation representative group and NRPC member Union Attorney General U Tun Tun Oo declared the meeting to be beneficial and after the meeting Drietor General U Zaw Htay and RCSS secretary 2 U Sein Win explained to the media about the outcome of the day’s meeting.

The meeting was attended by NRPC members Union Attorney General U Tun Tun Oo, Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, Lt-Gen Min Naung, Deputy Ministers Maj-Gen Aung Thu and U Khin Maung Tin, NRPC secretary Lt-Gen (retired) Khin Zaw Oo, NRPC advisory group member U Hla Maung Shwe, Director General U Zaw Htay, head of RCSS peace negotiation representative group Sao Baung Khay, secretary 2 Sai Win, U Hsaung Han, Sai Han, Sai Oo, U Day Wein, Sai Kham San, U Sein Shel Mai.

— Myo Myint (MNA)