A delegation of the National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NRPC) held talks with four armed groups which are non-signatories to Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) — Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), Myanmar National Truth and Justice Party (MNTJP), Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF), and United League of Arakan (ULA) – at Orient Hotel in Mongla, Special Region (4), eastern Shan State at 10 am yesterday, according to Adviser U Hla Maung Shwe of the Peace Commission (PC).

The government delegation after holding discussion with KIO, MNTJP, PSLF and ULA for over an hour, presented the proposal in connection with the bilateral ceasefire agreement (draft) of the government to them. The delegation also made an overture to the four armed group to meet again in the second or the third week of July.

As regards the meeting between the government and KIO+3, U Hla Maung Shwe said, “The chair and members of Mongla Special Region (4) were included in the coordinators to hold the meeting. At the meeting which was held amidst the difficulties, the vice chair and secretary PC presented the proposals in connection with the bilateral ceasefire agreement (draft) of the government, which can also be termed “the second draft” to them. We have suggested to hold a follow-up meeting in the coming two or three weeks. We expect that the groups will review our proposals, meet with us again and discussed the matters on bilateral ceasefire agreement. Joint secretaries of Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) and National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) (Mongla) attended the meeting as observers.”

Vice Chair of PC U Thein Zaw, Secretary Lt-Gen Khin Zaw Oo (Retired), and advisers U Hla Maung Shwe, Dr Min Zaw Oo and U Moe Zaw Oo, and peace negotiator U Thet Naing attended the meeting as the delegates of NRPC, representatives of KIO, MNTJP, PSLF and ULA as participants, and joint secretaries of SSPP and NDAA as observers.

The government delegation and the four armed groups met at Muse-Namhkam Border Traders Association in Muse on 30 April this year, and discussed the peace process in connection with the definite points involving the pledges to sign the NCA which are included in the Bilateral Ceasefire Agreement, troop deployments, and means to prevent armed conflicts. The definite points are to be stipulated in the draft bilateral ceasefire agreement.—Ye Khaung Nyunt  (Translated by TMT)