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Future peace talks between the KIO and Myanmar Government not yet scheduled
Posted by: PNA
Post Date: 3 March 2013
After what was perceived by many as a leap in the
direction of reconciliation, future discourse between the Kachin Independence
Organization (KIO) and the Myanmar government is on hold. Senior officials of
the KIO have expressed uncertainty in arranging the next round of peace talks
that will help quell violence in Northern Kachin State and Eastern Shan
state.
After talks between Myanmar's government and the
rebel Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) in Ruili, China, on February 4, a
glimpse of hope after 17 months of bloody conflict was rendered. Following the
peace talks, tentative arrangements were made in order to facilitate further
dialogue between the two sides in hopes of reaching a peace agreement. During
the Ruili meeting major breakthroughs were achieved on key issues such as
strengthening communications, easing tensions, and holding further talks before
the end of February.
The subsequent rounds of talks, which were
tentatively scheduled for late February, are now expected to take place in March,
although the exact date has not yet been determined.
Hesitation in scheduling a definitive date, is
due in large part to the KIO’s
resistance to hold talks within the country of Myanmar. Representatives from the the group, believe a
neutral ground would be a better venue for brokering discussions. Government
officials would like the talks on Myanmar
soil - something that the KIO has expressed distrust in.
A major area of contention in the negotiations is
the government's refusal to recognize a 1947 Panlong agreement signed between
General Aung San and ethnic leaders, including the Kachin, that granted Burma's
ethnic minorities partial autonomy.
Yet, it is the Myanmar military's refusal to
withdraw troops from territories recently captured during the fighting, that is
the main sore spot in the peace dealings. Military forces have failed to reduce
their presence along the front line, leaving many Kachin with the suspicion
that despite reduced fighting in conflict areas, an offensive attack on the KIO
may be imminent.
Such suspicions were confirmed on February 24,
when military trucks were used in eastern Kachin state to send arms, food, and
supplies to troops stationed near Loije - a region close to the KIO occupied
town of Mai Ja Yang. Supplies were also sent to reinforce
positions in the recently (military)
captured La Ja Yang area, which borders the KIO de facto capital of Laiza.
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the KIO’s
affiliate army, exchanged fire with army units from Infantry Battalion 200 the
following day in Pannwar region. Sources report government forces lost a
confirmed total of 8 men including 2
lieutenants.
Fighting, probed by military aggression, has also
persisted with other ethnic groups in neighboring states. The Shan State Progress Party/Shan
State Army (SSPP/SSA) and the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army
(RCSS/SSA) recently appealed to President Thein Sein to resolve issues between
Shan troops and the Myanmar government army. The conflict between the SSPP/SSA
and Myanmar army began last month, when the government army demanded the
withdrawal of SSPP/SSA troops from Loi Lang base in Tangyang Township in Shan
State - at which time the SSPP/SSA refused.
Despite the overall recent slowdown in active
conflicts throughout the country,
fighting continues and further negotiations to draft a new agreement are
needed; although informal discussions between the KIO and the Myanmar
government have taken place in past
weeks. Myanmar government representatives met senior KIO officials in
Thailand’s Chiang Mai last week, as part
of an initiative between the government and the United Nationalities Federal
Council (UNFC), an alliance of Myanmar's armed ethnic groups which includes the
KIO.
Though some communication has been established,
neither party has confirmed a date for future rounds of peace talks to end the
conflict between the KIO/KIA and the Myanmar government.
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