The United Wa State Party/United Wa State Army has agreed with the government on sending a proposal to the latter. The government will hold a final discussion about the possibility of Wa to participate in the political dialogue only when the proposal has been reviewed, said Zaw Htay, Director-General of the State Counsellor Office, who is also the spokesperson of the Ministry of President Office.
The move came from the press conference held at the press hall of the Presidential Palace in Nay Pyi Taw on June 7.
The reporter asked a question how the government would try for enabling the Wa to take part in the political dialogue.
Myanmar peace delegation led by Dr. Tin Myo Win, Chairman of Government Peace Commission held a meeting with Kyauk Kaw Ann, Pauk Yu Yi and Sein Win, second class leaders of Wa in Kunming, China on May 18, according to the reference to Director-General Zaw Htay.
We discussed with the Wa about the possibility of working together in participating in the peace process of the government and our discussions looked transparent. We agreed with the Wa on sending a proposal to the government. The government will review it and then meet with the Wa again. After that we will hold a final discussion on how the Wa is going to participate in the ongoing peace process. We have further meetings to hold. But now the Wa is still compiling the proposal. The NRPC considers that it will seek approvals after reviewing the proposal, said Director-General Zaw Htay.
Union Minister Thein Swe, Member of the UPDJC and Thein Zaw, Vice-Chairman of Myanmar Peace Commission went to the 30th Anniversary of Peace organized by the UWSP/UWSA in the Special Region-2 of the Wa and held an informal meeting with Wa leaders. Myanmar peace negotiators and the Wa leaders focused on ongoing peace process which both sides expressed desires, Director-General Zaw Htay added.
The 21st Century Panglong Conference will come after both sides reach the agreements. This means that the Wa is to participate in the 21st Century Panglong Conference. I would like to mention that the NRPC of the government would like the Wa to join the peace process in addition to the KIA+ 3, Director-General Zaw Htay added.
The Wa behaved not only like a rival military but also like a rival government in its 30th Anniversary of Peace. We exercised utmost tolerance in the display of the Wa as we wanted peace, said Major-General Soe Naing Oo, Chairman of Tatmadaw True News Information Team, at the press conference held in Nay Pyi Taw on June 2.
The Wa has no intention to compete with the government and the Tatmadaw. If we are invaded by external forces, the Wa would defend together, the statement of the Wa issued on June 6 said.
The UWSA is an ethnic armed organization that has not signed the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA).
Translated and Edited by Win Htut
