The Union Peace Working Committee (UPWC), headed by U Aung Min and United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) met for the second time, on September 8, in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai. Regarding government desired and proposed ceasefire signing ceremony again in October; the UNFC released a five points position paper. The first point questions why it is essential to sign another ceasefire agreement, when all 13 Ethnic Armed Groups (EAGs) have already signed state and union levels ceasefire with the government. The second pin points the fact that the government should implement a nationwide ceasefire, so as not to make war with some groups, while having ceasefire with the others. The third points out the continued armed clashes with some EAGs even though ceasefire agreements have been reached erode trustworthiness, while creating misunderstanding between the Burma Army (BA) and the government. Thus, if the ceasefire is agreed, it should be solid and literally implemented. The fourth states in order to avoid armed clashes repositioning of troops, agreement on demarcation areas and code of conduct for the troops should be solidly drawn up. Otherwise, ceasefire agreement will be meaningless. The final point insists upon political dialogue must be the key to resolve armed conflict and not to use ceasefire condition to gain advantage militarily. (Source: UNFC position paper on repeated signing of ceasefire agreement proposed by the government)
Posted on: Wed, 02 Oct 2013 14:26:21 +0000
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