Burmese Govt, Military and KNPP to Meet in July
The aim of the meeting is to ‘continue negotiations’ around the peace process.
By NETWORK MEDIA GROUP (NMG)
Saturday, June 22, 2019
Representatives from the Burmese government, the Tatmadaw, and the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) are set to meet in July with the aim of moving the KNPP’s participation in the peace process forward.
“We are also going to meet the NRPC [National Reconciliation and Peace Center] in Naypyidaw as well as army officials. We will continue our negotiations with them,” KNPP central committee member Khu Nyae Reh told NMG.
The meeting was originally proposed for mid-June but was delayed due to scheduling conflicts. An exact date for the July talks has yet to be set.
The KNPP proposed that the meeting be held in Naypyidaw, because decision-makers from the government as well as army representatives including Lt-Gen Yar Pyae will need to attend.
“We are going to discuss regional development, education and healthcare issues with the government and NRPC. We are going to discuss military affairs with the army officials,” Khu Nyae Reh said, adding that the KNPP’s state- and Union-level ceasefires will also be a focus of the discussions.
A delegation from the government’s peace commission, led by the retired Lt-Gen Khin Zaw Oo, and representatives of the KNPP, led by vice chairperson Khu Oo Reh, met at the Famous Hotel in Loikaw, Karenni (Kayah) State on May 6. Karenni State chief minister El Phoung Sho also attended the meeting.
In this session the Karenni State government and the KNPP agreed to hold regular monthly meetings.
The KNPP has signed both state- and Union-level ceasefire agreements, but is not a signatory to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement with the government and military, a likely topic of negotiation in the July meeting.
