NMSP Can Only Observe Political Talks If They Do Not Sign NCA

NMSP Can Only Observe Political Talks If They Do Not Sign NCA
by -
IMNA
NMSP Chairman Nai Htaw Mon meets with minister U Aung Min at a local monastery in Thanbyuzyat Town (Photo: Minn Latt, Facebook)
NMSP Chairman Nai Htaw Mon meets with minister U Aung Min at a local monastery in Thanbyuzyat Town (Photo: Minn Latt, Facebook)

The New Mon State Party (NMSP) has been told that if it does not sign the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) it will only be able to observe but not take part in the following political dialogue.

The party found out from U Aung Min, a union minister and the vice-chairman of the government's peace negotiating team, the Union Peace-making Working Committee (UPWC), at a meeting he had with representatives from the NMSP's central executive committee.

NMSP Leaders meet with minister U Aung Min
NMSP Leaders meet with minister U Aung Min at Ko Yin Lay Temple (Photo: Min Latt, Facebook)

The meeting was held on 25 September at Ko Yin Lay Temple in Ye Township, Mon State. Attending were Nai Aye Mon, Nai Tala Nye and Nai Hongsar Bonkhine from the NMSP Central Committee, U Aung Min and members of the Myanmar Peace Council (MPC).

In an interview with IMNA Nai Aye Mon said: "We want the NMSP to participate in the NCA signing. U Aung Min explained that if it [the NMSP] signs the NCA it will have opportunities. It will be allowed to participate in political talks. If it does not sign the NCA it [the NMSP] will still be allowed to attend the political talks but [only] as an observer.

Nai Aye Mon said U Aung Min also said the same to Nai Htaw Mon, the NMSP chairman, when they met at Myolae Monastery in Thanbyuzayat Town on 26 September.

At the 25 September meeting at Ko Yin Lay Temple U Aung Min also said that eight ethnic groups would be signing the NCA. They are: the Karen National Union (KNU), the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army-Peace Council (KNU/KNLA-PC), the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), the All Burma’s Students Democratic Front (ABSDF), the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) and the Chin National Front (CNF).

Nai Aye Mon said: "Another thing is, if the other armed groups who do not yet want to sign the NCA with these eight groups   want more time for discussion and want to sign the NCA when they are ready the government will allow them until 15 October."

The NMSP wants an all-inclusive NCA signing. It is concerned that if other groups are left out civil war will start again.

A three day conference between 18 ethnic armed organisations, including the NMSP, is being held in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand from 28 to 30 September. Among topics to be discussed will be the signing of the NCA and the ongoing role of the ethnic armed organisations' negotiating team, the Senior Delegation (SD).
 
Reporter Wonsa Mon

Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI

March 27, 2024
In Kawt Bein village, Kawkareik township, Karen State, a 2-day armed attack ended on March 25th...
March 27, 2024
According to the New Mon State Party (Anti-Military Dictatorship), the Kawt Bein Village Police...
March 27, 2024
The Junta's brutal bombardment has destroyed more than 90 percent of Hsihseng Township in the Pa...
March 26, 2024
The Arakan Army (AA) cautions the people of Rakhine against succumbing to political traps set by...