According to a note jotted down by U Aung Min, President Thein Sein’s “Minister Without Borders”, last month, the widely anticipated Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) should be concise and simple, and not overly cluttered with excessive emphasis on the yet-to-come stages of the peace process.

The note he had written on 1 December, a copy of which was received by SHAN, contains a 5 point outline:

• Cessation of hostilities
• Opening of Liaison offices
• Freedom of movement without arms
• Political Dialogue
• Re-endorsement of the agreements previously signed

“What is easy has been made difficult by some people.” He was quoted as saying. He didn’t say which “people” although he has been known to be under considerable pressure from “within”, according to close aides.
He had already submitted his resignation 4 times to the President. “The President told him, ‘If you resign, I will, too,’” recalled one. “And when he said, ‘If I’m not allowed to resign, I’ll go jump off a skyscraper,’ the President shot back, ‘Just go ahead. If you do it, I’ll do it, too.’ In the end, U Aung Min withdrew his resignation.”
One INGO resident, upon learning this, remarked, “It means there are spoilers among the government camp. Maybe they should consider bringing them on board.”
U Aung Min’s stand seems to have been supported by at least one EAO: Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) that has endorsed a 10 point position on the NCA at its recently concluded annual meeting, 9-13 January, at its Loi Taileng base, opposite Maehongson province.

• Cessation of hostilities nationwide
• Opening of liaison offices
• Setting up of Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Committee
• Joint Military Code of Conduct (COC)
• Freedom of movement except in restricted areas and independent holding of public consultations
• Repeal of restrictive laws against EAOs
• Joint drafting of framework for political dialogue
• Holding of political dialogue
• Freedom for EAOs to engage in literary, culture, trade, agriculture and animal husbandry
• For suitable personages to sign the NCA (such as key military figures, outstanding international figures from UN, UK, USA, PRC and Thailand)

The Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT) set up by EAOs in Laiza, Kachin State, during their first conference in late October is expected to finalize the NCA draft tomorrow. It will be submitted to the EAO Conference #2 to be held at the Karen National Union (KNU)-controlled Lewa aka Lawkhila camp, opposite Tak province’s Thasongyang district, 20-22 January.