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| Thousands Greet Convoy of Ethnic Leaders in Myitkyina Posted: 03 Nov 2013 05:48 AM PST
The leaders and other officials, who were travelling in a convoy of about 60 vehicles from Laiza to Myitkyina to attend talks with a government peace negotiations team, were also greeted by villagers along the road and hundreds of enthusiastic local motorbike riders followed the motorcade for many miles. The talks with government chief peace negotiator Aung Min are due to start in the Kachin capital on Monday and could prove to be historical meeting if the Burmese government delegation agrees to hold a political dialogue with ethnic armed groups. Such an agreement would pave the way for a nationwide ceasefire between the government and rebel groups, which have been in armed conflict for more than 60 years. Ethnic leaders agreed in Laiza conference in recent days that they would support a government-proposed nationwide ceasefire agreement if Naypyidaw guarantees a comprehensive political dialogue involving all ethnic armed representatives early next year. More than 100 representatives from 18 ethnic armed groups—including the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), which does not yet have a ceasefire agreement with the government—signed an agreement at the conference on Saturday. Only one Shan rebel group did not sign the agreement.
On the way to Myitkyina, Kachin ethnic villagers of all ages, some dressed in traditional Kachin dress, stood along the roads in order to cheer on ethnic leaders as they drove past; many sang songs, shouted and waved flags with the symbols of the Kachin people. Some chanted: "Laiza Agreement; be successful," "Ethnic leaders; be healthy", "KIA leaders; be healthy" and "Ethnic demands; be successful." Zaw Lot, an ethnic Kachin businessman in Myitkyina, said, "I was very surprised when I saw this [rally of supporters]. I have never seen such big rally before. If you see this, you can’t deny that the civilians support their ethnic leaders." "This time, all ethnic leaders have gotten involved [in peace talks]. So, I have big expectations this time. I think it [peace negotiations] will be successful this time. I support it," said Zaw Lot. Due to civil war, thousands of civilians in ethnic states in border territories have been displaced for years, some of them for decades. Ethnic armed groups have been waging wars with the government for autonomy since 1948, shortly after Burma gained independence. The post Thousands Greet Convoy of Ethnic Leaders in Myitkyina appeared first on The Irrawaddy Magazine. | |
| All But One Ethnic Group Sign Agreement Supporting Nationwide Ceasefire Posted: 02 Nov 2013 08:34 PM PDT  Karen National Union Chairman Saw Mutu Say Poe (R) and a DKBA representative signed the ethnic conference agreement in Laiza , Kachin State, on Saturday . (Photo: Jpaing / The Irrawaddy) LAIZA — Representatives of 17 ethnic rebels attending a conference in Laiza, Kachin State, officially signed an agreement on Saturday, in which they conditionally supported a government-proposed nationwide ceasefire agreement. Only one group, the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), did not sign. Nai Hong Sar, general secretary of the UNFC said, "Those who didn't sign the common agreement wanted to consult with their respective leaders or fellow [organizations] before signing the agreement. But, they agreed with the common agreement in principle." RCSS spokesman Col Sai La said the group needed time to consult Shan political parties and community-based organizations about the ethnic conference agreement. After briefing these fellow Shan organizations, the RCSS will sign the common agreement, he said. Ethnic representatives of 18 armed groups attended the four-day conference in Laiza, a Kachin rebel stronghold located on the Burma-China border. The powerful Wa rebel group and their ally, the ethnic Kokang rebels, did not attend, however. The ethnic leaders agreed to form a 13-member committee that will be in charge of the nationwide ceasefire negotiations with the government, said Khun Okkar, joint secretary 2 of the United Nationalities Federal Council, an alliance of 11 ethnic armed groups. He said the agreement also includes a point that states that the ethnic groups demand that the Burmese military reduces its political powers in the government administration. Salai Lian Hmong Sakhong, a leader of Chin National Front, said that signing a national ceasefire with the government could lead to political discussions over the ethnic groups' demands for the creation of a federal union, in which their regions would gain a greater degree of autonomy. The ethnic committee will present the agreement that was reached in Laiza at the upcoming negotiations with the government peace team in the Kachin State capital Myitkyina, according to Nai Hong Sar. The Laiza agreement includes a plan to sign the government-proposed nationwide ceasefire agreement before the end of this year, but only if Naypyidaw guarantees that a comprehensive political dialogue will commence early next year. Burma's ethnic groups have long demanded more political autonomy for their regions and greater control over the rich natural resources in these areas. Armed conflict over these demands has raged for decades in Burma. The long-term significance of the Laiza agreement will very much depend on the response from the government peace team, led by Minister Aung Min, which is scheduled to meet with the ethnic leaders in Myitkyina next week. After the ethnic conference, questions lingered about why the RCSS declined to sign the agreement on Saturday. Some observers believed that the RCSS advisors and its leaders did not want to sign an agreement in Laiza, as it would grant the Kachin rebels, who were hosting the conference at their bases, an air of leadership within the ethnic groups.
The post All But One Ethnic Group Sign Agreement Supporting Nationwide Ceasefire appeared first on The Irrawaddy Magazine. |
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