National Reconciliation and Peace Centre (NRPC) representative group held a meeting with KIO (Kachin Independence Organisation), MNTJP (Myanmar National Truth and Justice Party), PSLF (Palaung State Liberation Front) and ULA (United League of Arakan) at Muse Town Muse-Namkham Border Trader Association yesterday morning.

At the meeting Peace Commission Deputy Chairman U Thein Zaw spoke of the difficulty and impossibility of establishing peace while holding on to arms, blaming and criticism not resolving problems or achieve a solution which can be obtained only through dialogue and meeting, timeliness for holding a meeting, dialogue and meeting being a work process strived for, the long duration of armed conflict in the country, the effect of this being mainly borne by the people and this point to be noted and thought about by armed organizations that were established for the benefit of the people.

He added that NCA (Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement) was unavoidable for the government, Tatmadaw and Hluttaw in the country’s peace process and was a historical inheritance for all and thus all were urged to participate in the process through the NCA. He then thanked KIO representatives and PCG (Peace Creation Group) officials for enabling the meeting to be held.

Next KIO General Secretary spoke of NCA-non signatories proposing bilateral ceasefire with the government, main discussion to reach agreement via bilateral stage, NRPC requested to comment on ceasefire, KIO sending a draft to NRPC, discussion to be conducted on the draft agreement, KIO’s expectation to discuss with the government on bilateral and returning of IDPs to their places of origin. Discussion on NCA to be conducted until it was acceptable by both side and the importance of avoiding armed conflict during this period.

Afterwards, on behalf of MNTJP, PSLF and ULA, leading representatives delivered messages of greetings after which the meeting continues.

As the draft Bilateral Ceasefire Agreement was proposed only at the meeting, it was not possible to discuss about it in detail in the meeting. However, pledges on signing NCA, deployment of forces, opening of liaison offices, ways to avoid conflict and specific matters to be included in the NCA that were included in the draft Bilateral Ceasefire Agreement was discussed in the meeting.

MNTJP, ULA and PSLF then presented their proposals and NRPC was to respond to the proposal and continue the negotiation and discussion. An agreement was also reached to meet again in May to continue discussion after receiving proposals from both said and the meeting date was to be fixed by mutual agreement.

The meeting then came to a close after Peace Commission Deputy Chairman U Thein Zaw delivered a closing speech.

The meeting was attended by representatives of NRPC consisting of Peace Commission Deputy Chairman U Thein Zaw, Peace Commission Secretary Lt-Gen (Retired) Khin Zaw Oo, Peace Commission advisor U Hla Maung Shwe, Ministry of State Counsellor’s Office Director General U Zaw Htay, representatives of KIO, MNTJP, ULA, PSLF, observers from UWSP (United Wa State Party) and SSPP (Shan State Progressive Party) and PCG representatives. — MNA

(Translated by Zaw Min)