An emergency meeting of the New Mon State Party (NMSP) Executive Committee was held on January 4 to discuss the current Burmese military offensive against Kachin State. Attendees convened at party headquarters in Ye Chaung Phya area, close to the Thai-Burma border, and called for an immediate countrywide ceasefire and political dialogue with ethnic groups, according to NMSP’s Foreign Affairs Official, Nai Hong Sar Poune Khain.
“We are very disappointed with the government’s military offensive attacks and airstrikes in Kachin State. We now, again, call for nationwide ceasefire and political dialogue at once.”
He added, “The NMSP also strongly supports the statement released by the United Nationalities Federal Council [UNFC] on January 1, which urged the government to order an end to the Burmese army’s offensive against the Kachin troops.”
The UNFC statement strongly objected to recent military actions, namely in late December 2012 when the Burmese army intensified attacks against the Kachin troops, allegedly using helicopter gunships and fighter jets, dropping bombs and rockets, and firing 105 and 120 mm cannons at Kachin Independence Army (KIA) bases in the Lajayang and Nasamyang regions close to Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) headquarters.
The government initially denied that it had launched air attacks on KIA troops, but later acknowledged the strikes.
According to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Information Team Press Release (1/2013) issued on January 4, “The Government will continue to strive to achieve everlasting peace with all nationalities’ armed groups for nation reconciliation and national unity. Peace negotiations with the KIO/KIA will also be continued. The Government always welcomes working together with all national races and the entire people of Myanmar to achieve success in the democratization process, sustainable development for the people, and the victory of peace and rule of law.”
UNFC General Secretary Nai Hong Sar, who also serves as the General Secretary of the NMSP, said in an interview with IMNA last Thursday, “The [political] dialogue could be delayed since the government army is launching offensive attacks against Kachin troops. Because both sides agreed to hold a dialogue, but the government army has intensified attacks on Kachin troops, the government is just doing the opposite of what it said it would and showing its dishonesty.”
The 2nd UNFC Conference will be held from January 7 to January 10 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with leaders from all 11 members in attendance. NMSP members including Chairman Nai Htaw Mon, General Secretary Nai Hong Sar, Vice-Chief of Staff Brigadier-General Layie Kone, and office member Nai Kon Hong Mon will be present.
The Burmese government has reached preliminary ceasefire agreements with more than 10 armed ethnic groups, but has yet to achieve an agreement with the KIO despite several rounds of talks.
