KNU encourages peace talks with government

KNU encourages peace talks with government

Published on Wednesday, 22 January 2014 21:05

General Mutu Sae Phoe, chairman of the Karen National Union (KNU), commended the governments peace efforts as a sincere step in the right direction and urged for greater coordination between ethnic armed groups.

"Starting from 2011, the Thein Sein government has begun building peace though negotiations based on equality, freedom and justice and building of a Federal Union through pragmatic approach," said Mutu Sae Phoe.

Senior leaders from 18 ethnic armed groups have attended the Law Khee Lar conference in KNU-controlled territory between January 20 and 22 to discuss the on-going peace negotiations with the government.

"Although those things can't be called changes taking place on the basis of negotiations, it is fair to say that these changes initiated by the government are in the right direction," added the KNU chairman.

Representatives from 18 ethnic armed groups were present at the conference including the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), Restorative Council of Shan State (RCSS), Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), Chin National Front (CNF) to mention just a few.

The United Wa State Army (UWSA) and National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) were not present.

Leaders discussed the draft of nation-wide ceasefire agreement presented by the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT) - an umbrella group that represents ethnic armed groups - which was prepared at the Laiza summit.

The KNU leader urged fellow representatives to face the political changes taking place in Myanmar with courage and not to settle the disputes with violence.

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/knu-encourages-peace-talks-with-government/