Myanmar government, 15 armed groups hold peace talks

The Myanmar government's Central Peace Making Work Committee and representatives of 15 rebel ethnic armed groups Monday began their first ever peace talks in six decades in Myitgyina, capital of Kachin state.

The historical talks involving the largest number of ethnic armed groups came two days after leaders of 17 ethnic armed groups signed an 11-point framework agreement themselves in Laiza of the state to prepare for a nationwide ceasefire deal with the government, reports Xinhua.

The ethnic armed groups' 11-point draft framework agreement, which mainly called for holding political dialogue with the government soonest after the latter promised a ceasefire with all the groups, will be presented for the two-day talks.

The government side was headed by vice chairman of the Central Peace Making Work Committee U Aung Min, while the 15 ethnic armed groups were represented by their leaders.

These groups include Kachin Independence Army, Kayin National Union, Kayinni National Progressive Party, Restoration Council of the Shan State Army, Pa-O National Liberation Organisation, Democratic Kayin Buddhist Army, New Mon State Party and Chin National Front.

The Myitgyina talks are expected to work out a comprehensive ceasefire paper for the final signing of a nationwide ceasefire accord between the government and the ethnic armed groups.

A total of 17 ethnic armed groups signed an 11-point framework agreement among themselves to negotiate for a nationwide ceasefire with the government at the closing of the four-day Conference of Leaders of Ethnic Armed Groups in Laiza town of Kachin state.

The framework agreement also includes laying down a political roadmap acceptable by both the sides, keeping promise for holding political dialogue, trust building and its implementation.

The Laiza summit of the ethnic armed groups, which was held Oct 30-Nov 2, mainly discussed nationwide ceasefire, political dialogue and establishment of a federal union system.