Burma: Student rebels reach 12-point agreement with government

The Union level peace talks between Union Peace-making Work Committee and All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) were held at Myanmar Peace Center (MPC) at No 10 on Shweli Street in Kamayut Township, Yangon, the state-run media said today.

During the meeting, Vice-Chairman of Union Peace-making Work Committee Union Minister Aung Min said that peace talks are being held because of a new political setting and wish for ABSDF's participation in the peace talks. He said that there can be a political challenge and he would carry on forthcoming differences all for settling agreements.

According to the New Light of Myanmar newspaper, they talked about arrangements for more discussions in the course of mutual trust and understanding.  Both teams maintained holding the talks in the company of the people as opposed to armed struggle line and they wished for candidly building the trusts in line with the wish of the people.

After that, Chairman Yebaw Than Khe of ABSDF revealed expectation for success in coming talks based on achievement already geared up. He also revealed to cope with remaining differences. Then, the delegates from two sides exchanged and discussed the twelve-point agreement. The leaders of two sides signed the agreement and exchanged the notes.

All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) delegation attend peace talks on 10 August 2013 at Myanmar Peace Center (MPC) in Yangon.(Photo: Nyo Ohn Myint's Facebook)

Apart from the two responsible teams, Aye Tha Aung and Win Kam Hlyam from United Nationalities Alliance, Zin Aung from Myanmar New Society Democratic Party, Kaung Myat Htut of Myanmar National Congress Party, Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi and Mya Aye from 88 Generation Students and the delegates from Center for Peace and Conflict Study (CPCS) and Nippon Foundation attended the peace talks as observers.

After the talks, there was a press conference and the delegates from two sides answered the questions raised by the local and foreign media personnel. As said by the state-media, the two sides have reached the following agreements:-

- to make efforts for ensuring nation-wide cease-fire through the accountability and responsibility by both sides;

- to agree to form an independent monitoring team in principle for ceasefires and localpeace making processes;

- to officially invite political forces, political parties and organizations and persons for their inclusiveness in the country's political processes;

- to carry out continued discussions and scrutinizing by the remaining political prisoners scrutinizing committee for the release of all political prisoners;

- to continue holding d i s c u s s i o n s o n democratic affairs, national equality and autonomy which are proposed by ABSDF;

- to have rights to independently hold discussions and meetings on the results of ABSDF's political talks, political stands and processes with the people and people-based organizations in accord with the laws;

- to hold continued discussion on the removal of ABSDF from unlawful association list;

- to hold continued discussions on the removal of ABSDF members from the blacklist and the cancelation of the charged members in accord with the law;

- to have rights to liaise with local and foreignbased NGOs and CBOs in line with the existing laws;

- to have rights to engage with news agencies and media freely and independently;

- to continue making coordination on opening of liaison offices in Kaly, Payathonsu, Muse and Loikaw which are suggested by ABSDF for smooth operation of communication channels including local peace-making processes and ceasefires;

- to agree to draft Code of Conduct in principle which are to be abided by both army;

- to set the date for second Union-level talks in the coming November, the state-run newspaper mentioned.

According to Union Minister Aung Min, the government offered peace talks as of 18 August, 2011 and signed a state level ceasefire agreement with ABSDF at the 6th round of talks. They implemented the last point included in that agreement. The latest agreement, he said, also includes holding of new round of talks in the future.   

At the state level peace talks, as mentioned by the state-run media, both sides agreed to cessation of hostilities as of 5 August, 2013 in favor of ensuring a nationwide ceasefire and holding a political dialogue, to take measures in order not to occur conflicts and fighting between ABSDF and Government armed forces and to allow unarmed ABSDF members to travel to other places in accord with the law except bases of ABSDF in the areas of ethnic armed groups.

The agreement also includes to open a liaison office in which arms are not allowed in Myawady which is acceptable to both sides and to continue to hold talks on places for opening of more liaison offices at the Union level meeting, to form an official delegation to hold a Union level peace talks and to begin the Union level peace talks as of 10 August, 2013.

During the August 5 meeting, ABSDF accepted the invitation of the government and held unofficial meetings with Vice-Chairman Aung Min for three times and preparatory work committee for two times adding together five.

According to Union Minister Aung Min, 13 ethnic armed groups have agreed ceasefire treaty with the government.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/08/12/burma-student-rebels-reach-12-point-agreement-with-government/