A meeting between the government, the Tatmadaw and the Northern Alliance (NA), is likely to materialize in early July, said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun, Secretary of the Tatmadaw True News Information Team.
In late April, the Northern Alliance composed of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Myanmar Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Arakan Army (AA) discussed the signing of bilateral agreement with the government. Both sides cannot restart the meeting as the problem with the meeting place remains unresolved.
“As far as I know, the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre (NRPC) said the meeting would be held this month. The chance of holding the meeting is slim as today is 28. I think a discussion will take place in early next month.
The Northern Alliance proposed via the Kachin Peace-talk Creation Group (PCG) to meet in Pansang and Kunming of China while the government proposed to hold the meeting in Yangon, Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw and Lashio.
The meeting has yet to take place as the AA worries about the security for the proposed places.
“The AA already came to Nay Pyi Taw and other places. But the AA is talking about security concerns. The AA hesitates to come to the meeting though we guarantee the security,” said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun.
In late April, the government met with the Northern Alliance in Muse of Shan State (North). Both sides agreed to meet again in May.
Hsan Aung from the PCG said the Northern Alliance sent its draft preliminary ceasefire proposal to the government, at the April meeting. The next meeting will focus on the discussion about the facts in the draft proposal and the amendment to it.
