Naypyitaw would like to keep both the Nationwide
Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) draft and its annexure as they are to be
signed by both the government and the armed resistance movements,
according to U Aung Min, the government’s chief negotiator who is on a
3-day visit to Chiangmai today. President
Thein Sein (C) looks on as Aung Min (L), vice chairman of Union Peace
Working Committee, shakes hands with Nai Han Tha (R), the leader of the
Nationwide Ceasefire Coordinating Team, after signing the nationwide
ceasefire draft agreement in Yangon, March 31, 2015 (Photo by RFA)
“If we want to have amendments, let’s discuss them in the next phases
(ie. Framework drafting and Political Dialogue),” he responded in reply
to query. “Almost 2 months have already gone since 31 March (when the
NCA draft was completed). If we have to negotiate again for the
amendments, at least 2 more months will be wasted.”
The government reportedly wants to launch the political dialogue,
which is the third phase of the agreed peace roadmap, coming after the
signing of the NCA and the drafting of the framework for political
dialogue (FPD), before the planned elections in November.
“We would therefore look forward to the decisions of the Law Khee Lar
Conference (2-6 June, when ethnic armed movements will meet to consider
the NCA draft) to see how we can move ahead,” he added.
Earlier, government sources said amendments if there were any, should
be made in the annexure but not in the NCA text. Not a few armed
resistance movements, after going through the draft, stated that there
were some points they wanted amended.
