Wednesday, 05 September 2012 14:05 Phanida
The Karen National Union and the Burmese government verbally agreed to a cease-fire code of conduct in the third round of talks on Tuesday in Hpa-an Township in Karen State.
Discussions included the building of military camps, encroaching on restricted territory and ethical standards for military staff.
The talks also covered the controversial illegal organizations act, landmines, troop movements and how to create better communication.
During the discussion, Nan Say Awa, a Member of Parliament who attended the discussion, brought up the issue of Article 17/1 – the illegal organization act – saying people wanted to get rid of the law.
Minister Aung Min, who lead the government peacemaking team, replied that the law was not applicable in Karen areas anymore, said Karen News.
The delegates from both sides raised the issue of landmine clearance in cease-fire areas, with both sides agreeing not to use landmines and to work together to de-mine landmines that have already been planted, according to Karen News.
Both groups agreed to avoid direct or indirect provocative acts and also agreed to stop the abuse of civilians living in cease-fire territories.
Naw May Oo, an observer, said that although the KNU was happy with the frank discussion but more work needs to take place on long-term issues. "But, we are working on,” she told Mizzima.
The KNU signed the cease-fire agreement i January. It has opened liaison offices in Kyaukkyi Township in Pegu [Bago], Myawaddy in Karen (Kayin) State, Kyainseikkyi Township, Three Pagoda Pass and Tavoy (Dawei) in Tenasserim (Tanintharyi) Region.
The KNU’s nine-member delegation was led by Naw Zipporah Sein, the KNU general-secretary, and Col. S’ Sha Tu Gaw.
The KNU has said that the main issues for them are the security of civilians and the movement or relocation of government troops during the third round of talks.
The Karen National Union and the Burmese government verbally agreed to a cease-fire code of conduct in the third round of talks on Tuesday in Hpa-an Township in Karen State.
Discussions included the building of military camps, encroaching on restricted territory and ethical standards for military staff.
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| KNU, government and military officials at the third round of KNU peace talks. A military cease-fire Code of Conduct was the main issue discussed in talks held between the Karen National Union and the Burmese government in Hpa-an Township, Karen State, on Tuesday, September 4, 2012. Photo: Karen News |
The talks also covered the controversial illegal organizations act, landmines, troop movements and how to create better communication.
During the discussion, Nan Say Awa, a Member of Parliament who attended the discussion, brought up the issue of Article 17/1 – the illegal organization act – saying people wanted to get rid of the law.
Minister Aung Min, who lead the government peacemaking team, replied that the law was not applicable in Karen areas anymore, said Karen News.
The delegates from both sides raised the issue of landmine clearance in cease-fire areas, with both sides agreeing not to use landmines and to work together to de-mine landmines that have already been planted, according to Karen News.
Both groups agreed to avoid direct or indirect provocative acts and also agreed to stop the abuse of civilians living in cease-fire territories.
Naw May Oo, an observer, said that although the KNU was happy with the frank discussion but more work needs to take place on long-term issues. "But, we are working on,” she told Mizzima.
The KNU signed the cease-fire agreement i January. It has opened liaison offices in Kyaukkyi Township in Pegu [Bago], Myawaddy in Karen (Kayin) State, Kyainseikkyi Township, Three Pagoda Pass and Tavoy (Dawei) in Tenasserim (Tanintharyi) Region.
The KNU’s nine-member delegation was led by Naw Zipporah Sein, the KNU general-secretary, and Col. S’ Sha Tu Gaw.
The KNU has said that the main issues for them are the security of civilians and the movement or relocation of government troops during the third round of talks.
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