KIO delegation meets president, military chief

The meeting in Nay Pyi Taw was the first between Thein Sein and the KIO since the president offered to hold peace talks in August 2011. The president had earlier planned but failed to meet the armed group in Myitkyina in Kachin State.

Thein Sein was quoted after the meeting on his official website as saying, "we must show our sympathy for the bitter life and experiences of war victims. We are exerting peace efforts as desired by the people. Both parties (government and ethnic armed groups) are key players in the country’s peace process. All consequences will affect the people. Peace cannot be achieved so long as we hold weapons. Past and ongoing events have proved how much the country has lost."

KIO delegation leader La Ja, who is the group's general secretary, promised to cooperate with the government until lasting peace, trust and stable conditions are achieved. 

Swan Lut Gan, a KIO Central Committee member, said that like other ethnic armed groups his organisation would collaborate with the government in achieving peace. 

KIO Deputy Chief of Staff Major-General Guan Maw said the ongoing journey to peace was not a political game, adding that mutual trust might be lost because of interference by some media and international observers. 

Any nationwide ceasefire agreement should be aimed at preventing further conflicts, he said, adding that his organisation would cooperate in education, health and security affairs.

Hla Maung Shwe, from the government-sponsored Myanmar Peace, said both sides appear committed to finding lasting peace.

"Our president said that with every soldier from the KIO or Myanmar’s military who is killed in action, it is a loss to the country," he said. "This is why he calls for peaceful dialogue so that we can march towards a democratic country."

Guan Maw said his side had already accepted the concept of a single military and a single commander-in-chief in principle, he said, adding that details would be discussed in future talks. 

After Min Aung Hlaing's meeting with the KIO delegation, the military issued a statement saying it does not wish to resolve such conflicts with arms. 

A ceasefire between the government and KIO lasted for 17 years from 1994 to 2011. However, there have been renewed clashes since June 2011, causing many casualties on both sides. So far, there have been more than 100,000 war refugees in Kachin State.