Govt, KIO to meet as precondition to highest-level peace talks

Govt, KIO to meet as precondition to highest-level peace talks

Published on Friday, 27 September 2013 17:42

Myanmar's government and the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) are scheduled to meet in Myitkyina, Kachin State on October 2-3 to discuss four key issues, according to the Myanmar Peace Center (MPC).

The preliminary meeting will precede three days of union-level peace talks between leaders from both sides beginning on October 7.

"Before the talks between leaders from both sides, technical teams will first discuss and coordinate issues such as what the problems are and how the two sides can cooperate and negotiate. The talks are most likely to take place from October 7 to 9. Leaders of the KIO, the government, and the military will attend the talks," said the MPC's Aung Naing Oo.

A member from the Peace Creation Group (PCG), which serves as a peace negotiator between the government and KIO, told The Daily Eleven the meeting would focus on four main points.

"The preliminary meeting will focus on the positioning of troops, the formation of monitoring groups, the resettlement of refugees and the nationwide ceasefire issue," said Hsan Aung of the PCG.

He added that the KIO's participation in the nationwide ceasefire, which the government expects to reach in October, is only likely if the government, Parliament and the military provide political and military guarantees.

"For the KIO to get involved in the nationwide ceasefire, the important thing is trust. There must be political and military guarantees. That cannot be decided by the government alone. I think the KIO wants those guarantees from the government, Parliament and the armed forces," said Hsan Aung.

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/govt-kio-to-meet-as-precondition-to-highest-level-peace-talks/