Nay Pyi Taw, ethnic groups to meet again within 2 months

The government side was led by U Aung Min, vice chairman of the 11-member Union Peace Working committee, while the ethnic groups attended the meeting under the umbrella of the United Nationalities Federation Council (UNFC) led by Nai Hong Sar.

In a brief statement issued after the meeting, they said they discussed political objectives; a framework for political dialogue; timeframe for political dialogue; drafting agenda for political dialogue; venue for future political dialogue; and the presence and role of mediators, monitors and observers at the meetings. They also discussed the six-point ethnic nationalities peace plan reached since the previous meeting last year. 

Both delegations discussed mechanisms to secure local and international support for humanitarian assistance, education, health, agricultural and livestock sectors during the preparatory period and political dialogue for areas where member organisations of the UNFC are located, according to the statement. 

Set up in February 2011, the UNFC is a coalition of a dozen ethnic groups including the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO), which has yet to reach a peace agreement.

The new regime under President Thein Sein reached a truce and was in the process of dialogue with 15 ethnic groups. These do not include the Kachin. Many individual groups are in different stages of peace talks. Most of the talks, including those with groups active along the Thai border such as the Karen National Union and the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA), have reached union level.

The UNFC emerged to unite the minorities to gain bargaining power in peace negotiations with the authority.