Government to meet with KNU and ten ethnic NCA signatories in Yangon

Government to meet with KNU and ten ethnic NCA signatories in Yangon
The government peace negotiators of NRPC meet the KNU representatives in Yangon on July 9.
The government peace negotiators of NRPC meet the KNU representatives in Yangon on July 9.
Published 4 September 2019
Kyaw Zin Win + Min Naing Soe

 

The government peace negotiators will meet with the Karen National Union (KNU) and ten ethnic NCA signatories in Yangon soon during which different opinions will return to negotiations, said U Zaw Htay, Director-General of State Counsellor Office.

Insurgency has been taking place for more than 70 years in the country and no agreement had been found during political dialogues, said U Zaw Htay, Director-General of State Counsellor Office.

“We have different opinions when we seeking solution. We will meet with the KNU in Yangon on September 7 and ten ethnic NCA signatories on September 10 and 11. We, our government, have four proposals. We explained in detail in Chiang Mai before the PPST meeting. We are on the right track in order to resume peace talks,” said Zaw Htay.

The four proposed points of the government are—definitions must reach the agreement in the implementation of NCA, federal principles must be sought in Union Peace Conference, agreements must be sought between dialogue partners to continue holding political dialogues before and after 2020 and fruits of peace can be enjoyed in the regions of ten ethnic NCA signatories. These proposed four points have been submitted to EAOs.

Myanmar is home to different ethnics and the places they are residing are diverse. Moreover, they have diverse background histories, desires and feelings. It is not easy to seek a single solution including different things acceptable to all, said U Zaw Htay.

We have been in a difficult part. In this state, we are both seeking the common ground that is acceptable to all. I think it will be successful soon, but it is take some time. Acceptance by all is of great importance, said U Zaw Htay.

The leaders of Tatmadaw often say they are working under the leadership of the government. Now is the step that is seeking agreed political points, said U Zaw Htay.

This step is near the destination. Principles must be agreed. We have a seven-point road map for NCA. Laws including constitution must be amended. Agreed political points must be according to the NCA route. After that the constitution that can be accepted by all would come out, said Zaw Htay.

Translated and Edited by Win Htut