UNFC Want Involvement in Country’s Political Talks

The United Nationalities Federal Council are in discussion with the government in order to join the ongoing political dialogue, now widely known as “21st century Pinlon Conference” to be held in August, 2016.

Ku Oo Reh, leader of the Delegation for Political Negotiation (DPN) said that UNFC needs to continue discussions with the government.

The Delegation for Political Negotiation led by Ku Oo Reh and the Union Peace Conference Preparation Committee led by Dr.Tin Myo Win met on 1st July in Rangoon and told the media that there are more steps needed to be taken.

“There will be a conference of ethnic armed groups held in Mai Ja Yang.” Ku Oo Reh said; “The decision on how we will participate will be made after this conference. We will have to discuss it step-by-step.”

Ku Oo Reh said that there are some ethnic armed groups not included in the alliance, that will have to find a solution at the Mai Ja Yang conference.

According to U Hla Maung Shwe, a committee member of the Union Peace Conference Preparation Committee, they will send an official letter to the Mai Ja Yang conference to discuss about the attendance of the ethnic armed groups at the Union Peace Conference.

According to Ku Oo Reh, the meeting on July 1 discussed the ongoing peace process, the meeting between the UNFC and Aung San Suu Kyi set for the middle of July,.

Attendees representing UNFC included Ku Oo Reh from Karenni National Progressive Party as DPN leader, Major General Sai Too from Shan State Progressive Party as DPN deputy leader, Dr.Naing Shew Thein from New Mon StateParty, Colonel Salmon from Lahu Democratic Union, Colonel MinTun from Arakan National Council and Ta Nyi Lu from Wa National Organization while on behalf of government, the attendees include Dr.Tin MyoWin, chairman of UPCPC, U Thein Zaw, Lt.Gen Khin Zaw Oo (retired), U Naing Ngan Lin, U Ket Tein Nan, Daw Dwe Bu, U Moe Zaw Oo and U Hla maung Shew.

The UNFC and the government met in Chaing Mai, Thailand for the first time in early June and again on 1st July in Rangoon.