Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, and the delegation of Karen National Union led by Saw Mutu Say Poe, Chairman of the KNU held discussions, spotlighting the ways to strengthen nationwide ceasefire agreement, said Phado Saw Hla Tun, General Secretary-2 of the KNU.
“Both sides spotlighted the ways how to strength the NCA. Military affairs are of great importance in the ceasefire. We will have to pay attention to how to negotiate the military affairs. Military affairs are described in the chapter 3 of the NCA. It is required to strengthen the ceasefire. The commanders need to implement negotiations to reduce clashes at the grass roots level of both sides. In so doing, mutual trust will appear and ceasefire will become stronger, too. At the same time, JMC functions will be more dynamic, said Phado Saw Hla Tun.
The JMC is to monitor the clashes. Both sides will have to stay away from clashes. If there were clashes, both sides would seek ways to reduce them. The processes really to reduce the clashes were also discussed during the meeting between Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and the KNU.
So as to resume official meetings of peace process that halted for a quite long time, the government suggested to the NCA signatories to call the JICM on October 30. But the KNU wanted to hold a private meeting with the government and Tatmadaw leaders first and only then, it would like the government to call the JICM.
Concerning this situation, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and KNU leader Saw Mutu Say Poe held a meeting. All accepted to resume the JICM meeting, said Phado Saw Hla Tun.
“It is required to start JICM meeting in order to resume the peace process. All of us accepted it is important. So as to do this, the decision maker from the government is State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in the military side. State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing have the same mind to continue peace process in a successful manner,” said Phado Saw Hla Tun.
Translated and Edited by Win Htut
