Myanmar ethnic leaders call for settlement of domestic conflict through political means

Myanmar ethnic armed group leaders Wednesday called for settlement of domestic conflict through political means, saying that the six-decade-old domestic conflict was rooted from political issues based on ethnic affairs.

In a 12-point statement issued at the end of a six-day summit of ethnic armed groups in Panghsang, the self-administered zone of the Wa ethnic group in northern Shan state, the ethnic leaders stressed on holding of political dialogue with the government inclusive of all ethnic armed groups.

The statement also called for inclusion of non-ceasefire groups in signing ceasefire pact with the government.

The ethnic leaders demanded an immediate stop of government's offensive against some armed groups in the north during the ceasefire talks process.

The statement insisted non-secession of ethnic areas from the federal union.

The statement also called for constitution amendment in order to build a federal union with the guarantee of national equality and self-prescription.

The United Wa State Army (UWSA) led in sponsoring the conference.

The six-day ethnic leaders' summit began on last Friday to discuss and seek adoption of a draft nationwide ceasefire accord ( NCA), preliminarily signed between peace negotiators of the government and ethnic armed groups at the end of March this year.

The summit was participated by leaders of 12 invited armed groups including Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), Karen National Union (KNU), United Wa State Army (UWSA) and National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA).

The summit came after the government's Union Peace-Making Work Committee (UPWC) and the ethnic armed groups' Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT) concluded more than one year's negotiation on the NCA on March 30 and the finalized draft accord was preliminarily signed in Yangon on March 31. The draft NCA is yet to be formally signed after approval from top leadership of both sides.

Meanwhile, Myanmar President U Thein Sein told the nation in his radio speech that the government is ready to finalize the nationwide cesaefire agreement but is waiting for the outcome from the ethnic summit.

With all parties accepting that the only way to resolve armed conflict is through a political solution, U Thein Sein pledged to the nation best efforts to begin political dialogue as soon as possible. Enditem