Myanmar peace body sets $21m budget
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Yangon - The Union Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) meeting at Myanmar Peace Centre in Yangon calculated that nearly US$21 million would be spent on the implementation of the body’s activities over the next three years.
“We discussed employing new staff and calculated the budget required. We want the JMC to be formed in Shan State. The budget, nearly US$21 million, has been calculated roughly,” said Colonel Wunna Aung, of the government forces, who is a JMC secretary.
“The donors include foreign countries and the United Nations,” said Wunna Aung.
About 30 representatives from foreign donors, including the UN, participated in the discussions, said another secretary, Dr Shwe Khar.
“Today we approved the budget. The government has set aside a budget for peace but we don’t know whether the new Parliament will approve it. Nevertheless, we must implement our proposals within our existing budget. We want genuine peace,” said Shwe Khar.
The JMC’s activities are subject to scrutiny from the government, army and Myanmar Peace Centre.
The JMC was formed of 26 representatives in November, with Lieutenant-General Yar Pyae from the government forces as chairman and vice chairmen General Saw Isaac Po from Karen National Union and civilian representative Pyae Sone.
