The government, Tatmadaw (defence services) and Northern Alliance formed with four ethnic armed organizations are going to meet for matters relating to NCA signing in the last week of this month, said the Peace Coordination Group (PCG).
It is necessary to know exactly the venue, but responsible persons are still negotiating to select the place, said Hla Maung Shwe and Hsan Aung of Myanmar Peace Commission.
The Northern Alliance was formed with four ethnic armed organizations—the KIA, the MNDAA, the TNLA, and the AA. They are desirous of signing the bilateral ceasefire agreement.
“I have no idea about the venue to meet. The date may be on 24 or 25 May. Together with the NRPC, the Tatmadaw will meet the Northern Alliance. Previously, the Tatmadaw failed to come to the meeting,” said Hsan Aung of the PCG.
The NRPC also met the Northern Alliance in Muse, northern Shan State on April 30 where each EAO submitted ceasefire draft separately.
The upcoming meeting will highlight separate ceasefire drafts submitted by each EAO, said Hsan Aung.
“Previously, four EAOs submitted their separate bilateral agreements on ceasefire to the meeting. This time the government may amend or supplement our bilateral agreements. NCA signing depends on the situation of the meeting. If there is no difference among us, we may go to the signing,” said Hsan Aung.
The basic factors of ceasefire include troop deployment, area divisions, discussion form and monitoring group in time of starting ceasefire. These are all inserted into the proposed ceasefire agreement, said Brig-Gen Tar Phone Kyaw, General Secretary of the TNLA.
Translated and Edited by Win Htut
