Talks spur hope peace will be restored

The Myanmar government and Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) made positive steps toward restoring peace in northern Kachin state with a new round of talks on Monday, easing tension after a series of military clashes over recent weeks.

In order to ensure a prompt and effective cease-fire, both sides agreed to discuss the establishment of a surveillance system for conflict areas in the northern state, a joint statement said late on Monday. 

The talks were brokered by the Chinese government and held in the Chinese border town of Ruili, according to Eleven Media Group.

China congratulated the groups on their talks and vowed to continue to play a constructive role in supporting peace between the Myanmar government and the ethnic Kachin.

China’s official media outlet Xinhua said the talks on Monday signified the government’s efforts to bring the KIO back to the negotiating table after the last talks in Ruili on Oct 30, 2012 failed.

Talks resumed in the Chinese border town after a government offensive to seize several strategic locations in Kachin state a few weeks ago. The agreement, they reached this time, was an attempt to restore peace since a 17-year-old pact between the two sides broke in 2011. Scores of troops – possibly thousands – have been killed in military clashes since then, with tens of thousands displaced.

In the negotiations on Monday both sides discussed the setting up of a liaison for communication, to reduce military tension, and inviting observers as witnesses for the next talks, the statement said. 

The Kachin Independence Army has agreed to hold another round of talks before the end of the month after coordinating with the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC). It also agreed to continue political dialogue, the statement said. 

The newly set up UNFC is an alliance of 11 armed ethnic groups, and the Kachin is one of these.

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA)’s vice chief of staff, Major General Guan Maw, Swam Lut Gam, La Phai La and three sec-ond-line officers represented the Kachin side. The union government sent five representatives, including ministers Aung Min and Ohn Myint.

The talks were also attended by Ambassador Luo Zhaohui of the Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry, Karen National Union chairman General Saw Mutu Sae Poe, general secretary Pado Saw Kwe Htoo Win, Brigadier General Sai Lu and two members of The Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army, Han Nyaung Wai and Victor Biak Lian, as witnesses.