Leaders eye federal union talks
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Ethnic leaders are confident they will encounter few difficulties in discussions with the government over the establishment of a federal Union as a key part of the nationwide ceasefire deal, according to one of the leaders.
Maj-General Gwan Maw, deputy chief of staff of the Kachin Independence Organisation, made the comment at a press conference following the Laiza ethnic armed groups conference, held from October 31 to November 2.
“The government is now discussing the federal system, and so is the entire nation. If we continue to talk about federal matters, the difficulties will gradually disappear, said Maj-Genal Gwan Maw.
Similarly, Salai Hlyan Hmone Sar Khaung, chairperson of the Ethnic National Council (ENC), who is also head of the Chin National Front (CNF), said that he held a positive view on the government’s use of a federal regime.
“In the past, the government regarded the federal system as a form of secession, but now it considers it as cooperation,” said Salai Hlyan Hmone Sar Khaung, adding that it would not be easy to fix a timetable for establishing a federal union.
However, the ENC chairperson said it was time to work toward this goal based on the principles of the Panglong Agreement of 1947. He also noted that the main opposition party, the National League for Democracy led by Aung San Suu Kyi, is also trying to re-establish the country as a federal Union.
“We hope the Lower House, the Upper House and Thein Sein’s administration are willing to implement the federal regime. Now is the best time for all of us to re-establish a federal Union according to the common wishes of the ethnic groups,” said Salai Hlyan Hmone Sar Khaung.
“The government, the opposition party, and the Tatmadaw [government armed forces] should try to establish a federal Union. The people could benefit from the fruitful results of the concerted efforts of all organisations. We should all pursue this to the best of our abilities for the development of the country.”
