Northern Alliance’s four armed organisations desired China to mediate in joint monitoring process, and the government and the Northern Alliance agreed on conflict resolution mechanism.

The government and Northern Alliance’s four armed organisations—the KIA, the TNLA, the MNDAA and the AA met in the informal peace talks in Kengtung in the eastern Shan State to sign the bilateral agreement. The meeting saw seven agreed points including the bilateral, said Zaw Htay, Director-General of the State Counsellor Office.

“What we agreed now is not monitoring mechanism, but conflict resolution mechanism. But we held discussions and what we discussed at last is conflict resolution mechanism. It is a problem-solving system,” said Zaw Htay.

The monitoring committee demanded the intervention of China. Brig-Gen Tar Phone Kyaw, General Secretary of the TNLA replied that it is very difficult to explain as it is still being negotiated.     

“Now is the time that it is being negotiated and so it is much difficult to explain,” said Brig-Gen Tar Phone Kyaw.

We will meet again in October during which the intervention of China will be discussed in detail. We are discussing the ways of how to go, said Zaw Htay.

Some officials from China accompanied four armed groups of the Northern Alliance who were attended Kengtung meeting. They did not participate in the discussions, but had to wait at a special room at the hotel where they held separate discussions with Chinese officials.  

Translated and Edited by Win Htut