If all participants carry out issue they wish with Union spirit or Myanmar’s spirit without holding up dogmatism, they all will achieve victory on their processes peacefully and speedily

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing meets members of Peace Process Steering Team-PPST.

Nay Pyi Taw June 30

The Tatmadaw fully wishes to achieve success in tasks of the Union Peace Conference (21st Century Panglong). All need to believe in one another in restoring peace and stability of the country in line with liberty, fraternity and equality included in the deterrent principles. If all the participants carry out an issue they wish with the Union spirit or the Myanmar’s spirit without holding up the dogmatism, they all will achieve victory on their processes peacefully and speedily, said Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at the meeting with members of the Peace Process Steering Team- PPST at Bayintnaung Parlour, here, at 2 pm yesterday.

Also present at the meeting were Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in- Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win, senior military officers of the Office of the Commanderin- Chief (Army), members of the PPST—Chairman of Karen National Union (KNU) Saw Mutu Sae Poe, Baung Khay of Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan South Army (RCSS/SSA), Patron Khun Okkar of Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), Chairman of Chin National Front (CNF) Pu Zing Cung, Vice Chairman of Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) Khine Soe Naing Aung, Naw Kapaw Htoo of Karen National Liberation Army (Peace Council) KNU/KNLA, Chairman U Than Khe of All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF), Saw Mo Shae of Democratic Karen Buddhist Army  (KKO) and delegation members.

At the meeting, the Senior General noted that the ceasefire with armed ethnic groups and successful completion of peace process plays a vital role in peace and stability of the nation and peaceful walking on the path of democracy.Thanks to the constructive cooperation of the ethnic armed organizations after the offer for achieving national peace throughout the first term of multiparty democracy, we could reach a certain road and sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). It can be said that those signatories have significant characteristics. Preparations are now being made under the leadership of the ruling government to hold the Union Peace Conference (21st Century Panglong). According to an experience of six years, the law has vested all the citizens with their standings and rights. Although they can make demands according to the needs in some cases, there are also some requirements in the part of responsibility, accountability and sense of duty. Therefore, both sides need to make coordination and negotiations. The Tatmadaw itself strongly adheres to Our Three Main National Causes. In the Union Peace Conference also, discussion

will be made in line with the NCA provisions. The important thing is to have mutual trust. I believe that the process will gather speed if the ethnic armed organizations work together in unity for peace, stability and development of the country. The Tatmadaw is also participating in the drive with this spirit.

Next, PPST chairman Saw Mutu Sae Poe and members discussed the purpose of forming PPST and its organizational setup, preparations for holding the peace conference, PPST’s plans to doing things in accord with the NCA, the participation of NCA non-signatories in the conference, continued plans to hold meetings of UPDJC and JICM. Other individual groups also explained opening of more liaison offices, JMC’s holding of step-bystep dialogues and deployment of troops from both sides.

The Senior General said the Tatmadaw has invited any organization to sign the NCA. If there is willingness to move on the ongoing multi-party democracy path and the strong will for national unity, NCA could be signed for sure. While we need to have self-confidence, we should also have the willingness to rely on our own country and State. We welcome and are waiting for signing of NCA with the attitude that ‘the strength of the country lies within.’ Regarding joining and participating in discussion at Union Peace Conference, the Tatmadaw alone cannot make decision, but it needs to take the wishes of government, respective parliaments, political parties, and ethnic races into consideration. As we have opened the political channel for ethnic armed groups to engage in politics and country’s affairs, they need to work for their goals through political means. In so doing, place and land are not important, but it is important that they receive public support and work rightfully on their political line. They need to put national interests at the fore without partisanship, racism and regionalism. And we, the Tatmadaw bear that attitude in our actions. Though democracy allows different political views, I wish there is no different view regarding ethnic issues. Honestly, the Tatmadaw absolutely does not want the fighting between national brethren, but it has to protect the respective administrative mechanisms, and lives and property of people from threats and dangers. And some groups are building strongholds and expanding their forces out of concern. If they have self-confidence, they need not to do so, but can take peaceful approach instead. Likewise, place and land are not important, but it is important to gain public support. And the Tatmadaw is trying to win public trust. The Senior General then replied to discussions of each group.

After the meeting, the Senior General and party presented gifts to ethnic delegates and posed for documentary photo together with them.

The Myawady Daily