Myanmar to hold National Dialogue by early 2014: minister

Source:Xinhua Published: 2013-9-21 19:39:30

Myanmar will hold National Dialogue for peace making throughout the country in the early 2014 with participation of all important stakeholders,said U Aung Min, vice chairman of the government's Central Peace Making Work Committee, at a ceremony on Saturday which falls on International Day of Peace.

The ceremony on Trust-building for Peace held in Taunggyi, capital of Myanmar's northeastern Shan State, was attended by more than 50 organizations including representatives from ethnic armed groups,political parties and civil organizations.

In a period of more than two years, some constructive foundations have been established despite existing conflicts between the government and some ethnic armed groups, said U Aung Min.

To successfully hold National Dialogue, two stages including National Ceasefire Accord/National Ceasefire Agreement and Framework for Political Dialogue are needed, he said.

He also disclosed that as the first stage, the National Ceasefire Accord/National Ceasefire Agreement is expected to be accomplished by the end of this October.

A total of 16 armed groups will be invited, he added.

The government is preparing to lay down "framework for political dialogue" with the participation of the government, army, parliament, nationalities, armed groups and political parties in November or December this year as the second stage, he said.

So far since Myanmar President U Thein Sein's peace offer was extended in August 2011, a total of 14 armed groups have signed preliminary peace agreements with the government at state or central level.

The government will continue holding peace talks with two remaining ethnic armed groups -- Kachin Independence Organization( KIO) and Palaung State Liberation Front(PSLF) or Ta-ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).

In the early October this year, the Union-level peace talk will be held with KIO in Myitkyina to move toward a peace settlement after reaching seven-point agreement in the last talks in May,he said.

Meanwhile, at the ceremony on the International Day of Peace held in Yangon on Saturday, U Aung Min urged all the young people in the country to participate in peace making processes.

The president will establish National Youth Center for Myanmar youth, he said.

On the same day, hundreds of residents in Yangon staged peaceful march along some main roads on Saturday's morning to mark the International Peace Day.

The authorities have allowed the application on the peaceful walks and joined by some 60 peace-demanding civil organizations, said the organizers.


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