Nationwide ceasefire unlikely if govt fails to accept preconditions- armed groups

Nationwide ceasefire unlikely if govt fails to accept preconditions- armed groups

Published on Saturday, 05 October 2013 17:11

Leaders of Myanmar's ethnic armed groups have said a planned nationwide ceasefire truce could not come about if the government fails to accept their preconditions. 

The government in Nay Pyi Taw is scheduled to make the announcement about the nationwide ceasefire this month. 

According to recent reports, the United Nationalities Federation Council (UNFC) formed with 11 ethnic groups would not attend the ceremony the government has planned to sign a nationwide ceasefire agreement. 

When contacted by The Daily Eleven, UNFC's joint general secretary said it depended on whether or not the government could accept the preconditions proposed by the ethnic armed groups. 

"Preconditions are necessary as the government calls for a nationwide ceasefire with our members. But the event should happen only after we have coordinated and agreed to those preconditions," said Colonel Khun Oakka, joint general secretary of UNFC. 

UNFC is reportedly working on some agreed points in coordination with all the armed groups and will publicize them on October 10. The federation however said it had yet to receive an official invitation from the government. 

"There must be gives and takes as well as compromises. We will not attend the event without knowledge of what the government has included (in the truce). It could not happen this month because of limited time and preparations," said Khun Oakka. 

An official from Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) also said they would not follow the plan the government had made unilaterally. 

"We wish to go there (to Nay Pyi Taw) together with all the ethnic armed groups. We will not go individually. Actually, we are not willing to go there. Coordination should be sought from all those concerned. When should attend the event only after we have made a decision. What the government is doing is not very practical, I think," said Khu Yel, KNPP's vice chairman.

Out of 17 ethnic armed groups, Karen National Union and the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army are poised to attend the ceremony but both have not given confirmation. 

San Aung from Peace Creation Group said signing agreement with only two groups would not mean a nationwide ceasefire agreement. 

The government's Union Peacemaking Work Committee is scheduled to hold talks with the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) on October 8 and the meeting results would have effects on the nationwide ceasefire truce, he added.

"The matter depends on how the government can guarantee militarily and politically when talks are held with the KIO," San Aung said. 

Government minister Aung Min recently said those groups which are ready could sign agreement while the remaining groups could sign later. And this was not pragmatic, said Khu Yel. 

"We are demanding a nationwide ceasefire. The government is responsible for this. We are demanding to declare a ceasefire. But the minister tends to say that that would happen only after we have signed the agreement," he said. 

Captain Tiger from KNU/KNLA (Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army) said: "We have no plan yet to attend the event. Clashes still occur in Kachin State. If they want to sign such agreement, fighting must be stopped. Government troops must withdraw. We ethnic minorities have shown peace to the government. But the government did not come to give us peace. I think agreement could not be reached." 

Sai Oo from RCSS/SSA's liaison office in Taunggyi also said they had not decided yet to attend the ceremony and they were only discussing what points could be on the agenda.      

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/10/06/nationwide-ceasefire-unlikely-if-govt-fails-to-accept-preconditions-armed-groups/