Dialogue 'the only way to get peace'
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Political dialogue is the only solution to internal conflicts in Myanmar as more than 60 years of armed clashes have not been able to solve problems between the government and ethnic armed groups, a former Philippine army officer, Lieutenant General Raymu
He made the remark during a seminar on the Philippines’ experience and lessons in the country’s security reform and peace process held in Yangon on Friday.
“By seeking solutions to a 60-year-old armed conflict with the use of weapons, Myanmar will never get an answer. Roundtable discussion is the only solution. If the government wants to exert peace efforts by adopting a policy, it should not use military power in any part of the country, the ex-army lieutenant general said.
“The process must have access to all – civic and religious organisations, media, business people,” he said.
Raymundo Ferrer served in the Philippine army for nearly 39 years. He was known for peace building efforts on Basilan, an island province located in the southern autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao. He is also participating in current peace processes in the Philippines.
The Philippines has achieved success in its peace efforts. It signed a framework peace plan with the country’s largest Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) last year. According to the president, the government is expected to finalise plans for sharing of power, natural resources and territory in June, he said.
Like Myanmar, the Philippines has various ethnic groups and was colonised by Spain, Britain and the US. It had to suffer more than 30 years of conflicts as a colonial legacy.
Fighting between Myanmar government troops and the Kachin Independence Army has quietened down after major battles in December.
The government’s union level peace-making committee and the Kachin Independence Organisation held peace talks in the Chinese border town of Ruili on February 4 and issued a joint statement. In it, both sides agreed to hold another round of talks before the end of the month.
The United Nationalities Federation Council formed with ethnic armed groups has accepted preliminary talks offered by the government.
Leaders of another ethnic group – the Karen National Union, which has a ceasefire with the government, are helping with the ongoing peace efforts as a mediator.
