Myanmar president: Ethnic summit could help build peace in nation

YANGON, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) — Myanmar President U Thein Sein said Wednesday that the decision for future tasks adopted and agreements produced out of ongoing ethnic armed groups’ summit in Laiza, northernmost Kachin state’s border town, could help sign nationwide ceasefire accords with the government and lay down framework for political dialogue to build peace in the country, according to the President’s Office.

U Thein Sein made the remarks in his message to the Laiza ethnic summit, organized by the Kachin Independence Organization ( KIO) and participated by other armed groups including United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), Kayin National Union (KNU), Restoration Council of the Shan State Army (RCSS), Democratic Kayin Buddhist Army (DKBA) and New Mon State Party (NMSP).

He also expressed the belief that national reconciliation could only be achieved through joint efforts of all nationalities inhabiting in the union.

 The three-day ethnic summit, which began on Wednesday, will mainly discuss nationwide ceasefire, political dialogue and establishment of federal union system

In their latest talks in Myitgyina earlier this month, Myanmar government and the KIO agreed to work together towards nationwide ceasefire and lay foundation for political dialogue.

The seven-point agreement, signed between the government’s Central Peace Making Group and the KIO, includes KIO’s demand for holding the present Ethnic Armed Groups Conference; working to end all armed clashes; establishment of a Joint Monitoring Committee to de-escalate the military tension, resettlement of internal displaced persons, reopening of public-used roads within the Kachin State closed due to conflicts and coordination for early resumption of next talks.

The government maintained that only when political dialogue is held, then matters related to equal rights, self-administration, federalism, constitution amendment, power sharing and resources sharing can be further touched upon.

he government claimed reaching ceasefire agreements with 14 ethnic armed groups since the president’s peace offer was extended in August 2011, leaving three armed groups mainly unsettled including KIO and Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF), also known as Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).

Meanwhile, the Myanmar president was encouraged by the assurance of all armed groups that they will never secede from the Union of Myanmar.