Peace negotiators agreed to continue implementation of 8th JICM resolutions.
DIRECTOR GENERAL U Zaw Htay from the Office of the Ministry of the State Counsellor and NCA-S-EAO representative Nai Aung Ma Ngay held a press conference after the two-day 8th Joint Implementation Coordination Meeting (JICM) on Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement at the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre (NRPC) in Yangon yesterday. In brief explanations on the meeting, Director-General U Zaw Htay said, “The meeting focused on how to implement all the resolutions of 8th JICM. We have got three agreements to hold working group meeting on 16 February, the following meeting on 17 and 18 February and to hold discussions on finding common terms and definitions for NCA before JICM,”
“The two records were a proposal for discussions with the groups which have not taken part in the national dialogue for successful holding of the 4th Union Peace Conference-21st Century Panglong and another proposal for public consultation,” he added.
National dialogue
Regarding the two proposals, the Director-General said, “We will hold a national dialogue with RCSS in Langkh Township in Shan State. It is required for the Conference which is scheduled to be held in the first four months of this year. Matters related to political talks for national dialogue will need approval from the UPDJC.
NCA-S-EAO representative Nai Aung Ma Ngay said, “RCSS will lead the national dialogue. Some EAOs have taken part in national dialogue. We have suggested to hold further discussions in their respective ergion.”
Unification of security forces
Regarding possible discussions about the merger of security forces during the 4th Union Peace Conference-21st Century Panglong, the Director-General replied, “The government has offered unification of security forces in the NCA implementation framework. We also proposed the formation of single Tatmadaw and Union Tatmadaw comprised with ethnic groups in NCA. The issue will be discussed in respective groups, and it would be one of the top agendas in the next round of discussion.”
Nai Aung Ma Ngay said, “Unification of security forces is a proposal of government. We will discuss it at the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) as it is in cluded in the ceasefire roadmap.”
Persuading non-signatories in NCA
Regarding an agreement between the government and NCA-S-EAOs to persuade non-signatories in NCA, the Director-General said, “We always invited the non-signatories to every Conference. Although they will not get the same chance like the NCA signatories, they can study our meetings. Some of them see our debates. They were also invited to take part in framework review meetings for acquiring ownership for them. Some of them were present, while some others absent. We will offer them to the next round of framework review meeting, and to the next Conference with the agreement of UPDJC.”
Ye Gaung Nyunt
(Translated by Aung Khin)
Photo- PHOE HTAUNG
Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar