NCCT denies delay in upcoming ceasefire talks

NCCT denies delay in upcoming ceasefire talks

Published on Wednesday, 30 April 2014 17:29

The ceasefire talks between government and armed ethnic groups on April 5

The leader of the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT) has denied reports on Wednesday that his team has indefinitely delayed the next round of ceasefire talks.   

Naing Han Tha was responding to reports by the BBC Myanmar programme and local media who reported the story after a meeting between NCCT representatives in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

"I didn't say we delayed the talks without limits. I don't know who is writing such news and why. I only said the meeting was postponed. We have to continue to maintain such dialogue that we have tried hard to achieve. We are now in negotiations and have agreed to resume the talks in May as soon as possible," Naing Han Tha told Eleven Media yesterday.

Hla Maung Shwe from Myanmar Peace Center said: "We have daily contacts with the NCCT leaders. The meeting first due on April 26-28 was postponed to 28-29. Later I learnt that they had met to hold the talks around May 19 or 20." 

NCCT leaders Naing Han Tha, Pado Saw Kwe Htoo Win from the Karen National Union and Maj-Gen Gwan Maw from Kachin Independence Organisation held a preliminary meeting in Chiang Mai on April 28 and 29. 

Naing Han Tha said the nationwide ceasefire talks were important and must be continued, adding that he hoped that there would be no more clashes in Kachin State that could harm mutual trust. 

"More than 65 years of civil war has left the country with a lack of progress. All I know is that the problem cannot be solved militarily. So I think we need to maintain the current results until we achieve success," said Naing Han Tha.

During the previous round of talks held from April 4 to 8 the government and NCCT jointly wrote the first draft of a nation-wide ceasefire deal and agreed to meet again in the first week of May to finalise the agreement. 

The date of the talks has been postponed as leaders from both sides seek approval over controversial issues as well as to discuss recent clashes between the Tatmadaw and the Kachin Independence Army. 

"The current results of talks come due to a great effort the government and ethnic leaders are exerting. Se we have the responsibility to maintain and protect them. To achieve success, all must participate in the process and give support and encouragement," said Naing Han Tha. 

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/ncct-denies-delay-in-upcoming-ceasefire-talks/