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JOURNAL SEA GAMES 2013-2015 - INDOSPORTS SUPPORTING MEDIA

Nov 1, 2013

President Thein Sein Welcomes Peace Conference With Armed Ethnic Groups

MYANMAR UPDATED. Myanmar's President Thein Sein has welcomed this week's landmark peace conference involving the country's armed ethnic groups.

They were discussing the government's proposal for a nationwide ceasefire. The three-day conference began in Laiza in Kachin state on Wednesday.

Many are of the opinion that the conference yielded positive results, even though they have extended it by one more day.


That is because the conference allows the ethnic armed leaders to pore through some of the very crucial details that are in the draft national ceasefire pact.

This gives them an opportunity to spend more time to discuss, as well as to negotiate, exactly what they want to bring to the table when they meet with the government.

In addition, they are also able to appoint their own representatives to voice their concerns and ultimately speak with a unanimous voice when they meet with the government peace committee.

Some in fact felt that three days was simply not enough for them to pore through some of the very crucial details, so this will give them enough time and allow them to settle their differences when they meet with the government.

Dr Min Zaw Oo, program director (ceasefire negotiation and implementation) at Myanmar Peace Centre, said: "What we see right now is a record-breaking time frame that they could reach such an agreement in a very, very short time.

“This body, when they come to meet with the government, they're going to have a consolidated position. So, more critically… the government is also confident that it doesn't have to talk to many different groups and that one group is much easier to negotiate in the future."

The meeting with the government will go on as planned as they intend to engage with government representatives for about two days.

Meanwhile, United Nations special envoy to Myanmar, Mr Vijay Nambiar, declined to say anything on camera, but confirmed with Channel NewsAsia that he will be joining in the proceedings when they meet in Myitkyina.

Many are hopeful that eventually a national ceasefire pact will be signed by the end of November, which is the target date by the government because it is hoping to ink a deal before hosting the SEA Games in December. 
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