Myanmar rebels can keep arms
YANGON - The Myanmar government will allow three rebel groups - Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and Arakan Army (AA) - to participate in this month's Panglong conference without giving up their a
The committee is working on the inclusion of all the major armed groups which did not sign last October's nationwide ceasefire agreement and has held meetings with the TNLA, MNDAA and AA.
Khin Zaw Oo said that that they did need to give up their arms but they must show a desire to disown the armed struggle. "We will continue discussing arms later. It doesn’t mean that they will have to do it at all at once. The government delegation will negotiate to meet the TNLA, MNDAA and AA in Mongla or Pangsang in Shan State," he added.
“The peace commission is making efforts for the inclusion of all groups in the peace talks,” said Khin Zaw Oo, who is also secretary of the peace commission formed by the government.
The armed groups were negotiating over issuing a statement, said Lieutenant-Colonel Tar Phone Kyaw, general secretary of the TNLA, on August 3.
RELATED