KNU discusses ceasefire options with Myanmar President
Post Date: 8 January
2013
Posted By: PNA
Greeted
with mild skepticism from several anti-government groups, Myanmar’s President U
Thein Sein met with delegates from the Karen National Union (KNU) to discuss
ceasefire options and propose plans to end the ongoing violence within the
country.
The talks
aimed at reviewing the cease fire agreement signed between the KNU and Myanmar
government were held Saturday in Naypyitaw. The agreement, which was signed two years prior, aims to
control the the conflict in Kayin and Kachin state.
In attendance at the January 5th meeting were
Myanmar's President U Thein Sein as well as delegation from one of Myanmar’s
largest government opposition ethnic armed groups - the KNU, led by its newly
elected chairman, General Mutu Say Poe.
This marks the second meeting between President U
Thein Sein and KNU delegation.
Myanmar’s president had met previously with the
opposition group in 2012 to help arrange KNU's liaison offices in Dawei
district; the meeting also had the leader of the National League for Democracy
(NLD) Aung San Suu Kyi in attendance.
In the most recent session, the government looked at
current ceasefire measures, and orchestrated a interdevelopmental plan to
facilitate internal peace. Albeit continued violence in many areas throughout
the country, Myanmar’s president emphasized the importance of continuing
with previously proposed plans and promoting meaningful ‘peace talks’
with interested parties.
Issues reportedly raised during the session included
matters related to the ongoing conflict in Kachin State. Other issues discussed
were: the resettlement of homeless Karen people; the granting of citizenship to
displaced Karens; the rule of law; and sustainable development.
The new KNU chairman expressed desire to assist in
possible negotiations with other opposition groups within Myanmar. Gen. Mutu
Say Poe promised the KNU would help in planning ceasefire arrangements between
the government and Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in order to restore peace in
Myanmar’s northern state of Kachin.
Raised
during the discussion, were concerns about hostile methods that may be employed
to expedite conflict resolution. President U Thein Sein addressed talks of the persistent aggression in Kachin state and
promised government forces would not confiscate KIA headquarters. He added that
military presence in the area will be used for “sending rations to Burmese
soldiers in the area and nothing else”.
The president reiterated the government's commitment
to bringing about lasting peace and
hopes the recent talks will help with reconciliation between the country’s
opposition groups and government, which have been at war for more than 60
years.
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