Tatmadaw has no plan to extend its unilateral ceasefire, Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun, Secretary of Tatmadaw True News Information Team told media after the press conference in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
“We need to look at the root cause of the incident that occurred on August 12, 2018. On December 12, 2018, the statement issued by three groups covered just three paragraphs. It includes two essence only. The first one is they have desires for the peace talks. The second is they will use political mean apart from military mean. The next day, the National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NRPC) said it welcomed that statement. That’s why, the Tatmadaw issued its first statement for eternal peace and ceasefire on December 21,” Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun said.
According to the statement, Tatmadaw declared a four-month unilateral ceasefire in order to enable the EAOs to walk on the path of peace dialogue. The first is the talks with the NRPC. The second is negotiation with Tatmadaw if necessary. There are three restrictions. The first is to avoid the fights between the EAOs. The second is to avoid carrying out attacks on the government’s administrative mechanisms at the different levels and hampering smooth operation and security of transportation. The third is to avoid the acts that may place a burden on the public. The Tatmadaw said it would take action against them unless it did not happen. During the four-month ceasefire, they could not hold discussions effectively. They held talks one day before the expiry of ceasefire. The talks did not produce the good result apart from the decision to continue discussion,” he added.
“They made complaints about the place and time for talks. The government and Tamadaw gave the guarantee for their security. They chose and cancelled the place. On August 15, they attacked Pyin Oo Lwin, Goketwin and Naungcho. There are two military targets—DSTA in Pyin Oo Lwin and a battalion in Naungcho. The rest are civilian targets like X-Ray vehicle in Pyin Oo Lwin and a drug inspection camp. They killed a person by setting fire to him,” he said.
They destroyed Goketwin bridge. The next days, they committed destructive acts like the destruction of bridges, cargo trucks and vehicles in Kwanlon. Kengtung talk did not produce any result on December 21. Then, they declared the unilateral ceasefire until December. Within four to five houres after the issuance of ceasefire statement, they carried out attacks on the military headquarters with heavy artillery, in Buthidaung. Tatmadaw is an official organization which is performing the country’s defence duty. They should not flip-flop on their words within a few hours after the issuance of statement, he continued.
Replying to the question about the participation of Tatmadaw in the next peace talks, Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun said: “It depends on the situation. Tatmadaw gets involved in the peace process under the leadership of the NRPC. If necessary, Tatmadaw will involve in the peace process.”
