In an effort to achieve success in peace process, the interest and the prestige of the whole Union should be taken into consideration rather instead of an area, a race and an organisation so that we can overcome the obstacles to peace process, Colonel Khun Okkar, Patron of PaO National Liberation Organisation (PNLO).

The remarks of the patron of the PNLO came from the Peace Forum organized by the CEDS at Green Hill Hotel in Yangon on November 11. 

“It is right that there are obstacles to peace process. The obstacles are not destructions. All peace processes in the world are always facing obstacles. We must seek the solution to the crisis through a process of negotiation. The interest and the prestige of the whole Union should be taken into consideration,” said Colonel Khun Okkar.

Misunderstandings about the definition of the NCA are arising among the groups participating in the peace process. These difficult situations resulted in the crisis. 

In the time of President Thein Sein, the government representatives and the delegates from ethnic armed organisations drafted the NCA. The definition book on the provisions prescribed in the NCA was also produced. In the end NCA could be only signed. But the definition book could not be signed because it was not complete.

“Being unable to sign the NCA is a problem. In the time of the new government, the NCA is said like an impostor. NCA is said it can be used as a weapon. NCA is said it is a trap of politics. Some said NCA is not OK to continue using. All different sayings appear because all do not seek an agreement in NCA definition. This is our weak point. Really the NCA would have been complete in the time of President Thein Sein. We are now trying to introduce an agreement capable of paving the way for political dialogue in order to end the NCA,” said Colonel Khun Okkar.

The NCA represents the whole country or the whole Union. If all stakeholders follow the NCA, fighting will come to an end. All need to try for this, said Colonel Khun Okkar. 

Peace is different from ceasefire. Even ceasefire is said peace because people want peace very much. Really peace is not the same as the ceasefire. Ceasefire is a gate to open up political dialogues for peace, said Colonel Khun Okkar.

We have nothing peace. If there is a political agreement, there will be a peace. If the political agreement is signed, it can be said we achieve peace. Therefore, peace is dissimilar to ceasefire, said Colonel Khun Okkar.

Translated and Edited by Win Htut