Burma sends peace delegation to end northern ethnic conflict
Ruili, China - Burma dispatched a delegation Wednesday to seek an end to several months of fighting with ethnic Kachin rebels in the northern part of the country.
Chief government negotiator Aung Thaung flew to the Shan State capital of Lashio and then traveled to the Chinese border town of Ruili for talks with the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO).
"We are trying to reach an agreement at the meeting, but it's hard to say if we will make a deal," he said.
The talks followed a ceasefire dialogue a week ago with the Karen National Union, another ethnic minority rebel group.
At those talks, the government agreed to end all hostilities with the dozen rebel groups fighting for autonomy in their traditional states for the past six decades.
The government had previously signed tentative ceasefire pacts with the Shan State Army-South and the Chin National Army.
The military has been waging an offensive against the Kachin rebels since June, displacing about 60,000 civilians.
"The people of Kachin State live in fear due to the massive presence of Burma army troops, ongoing fighting and grave violations of human rights," the KIO said.//DPA
