True peace more important than election, summit told

The representatives expressed concern that the next government would have to restart the whole national peace process if the current administration did not lay foundations strong enough for the process to move forward.

"We think we should keep discussing [until the peace is achieved]. If the government goes the same way with us, we can move forward," said Naing Han Tha, vice-chairman of the New Mon State Party. 

He said the peace process could not be abandoned whoever won power.

"The government will have new leaders but Myanmar’s army may not. And we will have no change. I think at least a half of the participating representatives will take part in future talks. Everybody knows the nationwide ceasefire is important," he said.

He added that the peace deal would be easier if there was a strong desire to have mutual understanding with ethnic groups.

Khun Myint Tun, chairman of Pa-O National Liberation Organisation, said: "Today the national peace process is at a very important point as time goes by. To have our negotiations achieving a goal is more important. Only successful negotiations will ensure a ‘true’ peace. The key point is to negotiate successfully regardless of whether it's before or after the general election.”

At the summit which was wrapped up on June 6, Khun Myint Tun, the chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Organisation (PNLO), urged all leaders to attempt to secure national reconciliation with the government now there is a guarantee that political dialogue will go ahead.

“The national reconciliation is a basic foundation of the nationwide ceasefire agreement. Ethnic leaders are required to make a small number of amendments to the final draft,” Khun Myint Tun said.

“The ceasefire we are working on today is different from those in the past. We all know this. The current process ensured greater consolidation among our different ethnic groups. Our tide of unity is reaching its highest level. It seems an advantage. Now is the time all our brethren living across the nation are looking forward to finding the best results from the ceasefire. The United Nations and the international community are constantly keeping an eye on the peace moves. The current process cannot be hidden from the people and the international community. We are at an excellent point,” he said.

“Unity is the first point necessary for our groups and we will stick to it. Only with unity can we see a win-win situation. If we do not bring about national reconciliation with the government, a ceasefire and peace process will not succeed. So all of us are responsible for securing national reconciliation. The ceasefire draft is the first step towards reconciliation. It is also the first foundation for establishing a federal union. 

“In the past, the military junta laid down a one-sided political roadmap. Although we have our likes and dislikes in the roadmap prescribed in the current agreement, it captures the correct political essence,” Khun Myint Tun said.