Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) Secretary No. 1 Aung Thaung said that the recording made at a meeting of the “Peacemaking and Negotiating Group” will be played to President Thein Sein in Naypyitaw, according to a person who attended the meeting.
Aung Thaung and Secretary No. 2 Thein Zaw met with five members from the negotiating group in Myitkyina on Thursday and Friday to discuss cease-fire efforts between the government troops and Kachin Independence Organization (KIO). In response to a KIO question forwarded by the peacemaking group, which asked whether the “1947 Panglong Agreement” was still valid, Aung Thaung said that the Constitution said the nation should be known as the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and it has implemented the union system.
Aung Thaung also said in the meeting that a political dialogue was open, according to source.
“During the period when a mutual trust is built, we need to stop fighting, and then we will hold a serious political dialogue to solve the problems. We will try seriously try to achieve a permanent peace,” Aung Thaung was quoted as saying.
The KIO that is a member of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) organized in mid-February, which has proposed holding an all-inclusive dialogue for achieving a cease-fire across the country but the Burmese government said it only wants to talk with the KIO.
Meanwhile, the fighting between the government and KIO continues. From July 12 to July 14, Burmese government military vehicles believed to be carrying weapons and munitions entered Burma from China.
A Sino-Burmese border-based analyst said that nearly 300 military trucks coming from Shweli passed through the border checkpoint in Muse in Shan State, Burma.
“Military trucks went from Lashio to Kyegaung. Then weapons were loaded onto the trucks and the trucks were covered by tarpaulin. Then the trucks passed through the Muse 105-mile checkpoint. About 300 trucks passed through. Armoured tanks were disassembled and carried into Burma, according to what I heard,” the analyst said. The types of weapons and the information about tanks are not known and could not be confirmed.
Meanwhile, a statement released on Friday by the KIO Central Committee said that people in a public forum told on July 12 and July 13 told the KIO that they wanted a cease-fire across the whole country and a real political dialogue to solve ethnic issues. They also said they wanted the government to prove it has implemented a unilateral cease-fire prior to negotiations.
USDP leaders Aung Thaung and Thein Zaw returned to Naypyitaw on Friday.
Other members of the UNFC include the Karen National Union, New Mon State Party, Karenni Progressive Party, Shan State Progressive Party and Chin National Front.
