Chaing Mai, Thailand: Burma’s political problem can be solved by political means according to Dr. KhinMaung, the Central Committee member and Deputy Head of Foreign Affairs of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) during a press conference held on February 28, on the Burma-Thailand border.
“The ethnic nationalities’ issue in Burma is the root cause of Burma’s political crisis. Political inequality and rejection of self-determination of ethnic nationalities has taken place during the long conflict. Restoration of rights to national equality and self-determination is the life-blood of the ethnic peoples,” he said.
“Leaders of ethnic nationalities struggled for their rights in parliament by democratic means from 1948 to 1962. But General Ne Win seized the Union power and began the armed oppression against the struggle of ethnic nationalities. The civil war broke out and today is almost more than 60 years later.”
He also said, “Until and unless this political problem can be solved by political means, the civil war will not be ended. If the political dialogue is started to solve the crisis by political means, the civil war will be reduced corresponding to the development of the political agreement. Sustainable peace and development can come when President TheinSein’s governmentsolves the problem by political means. A political solution can assure constant peace and sustainable development.”
The UNFC leaders who participated in the meeting were Khu Abel Tweed (KNPP), the vice-chairman(1), Nai Hon Sa, the New Mon State Party (NMSP), the joint secretary (1), Col HkunOkker, the Pa-Oh National Liberation Organization (PNLO), joint secretary (2), Dr. La Ja (KIO), the head of Research and Legality, Dr. KhinMaung, the Arakan National Council (ANC),deputy Head of Foreign affairs, Tar Aik Bong, the Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF), Central Committee member and Sai Say Awn (SSPP), Central Committee member. However, the representatives of Lahu Democratic Union (LDU), the Wa National Organization (WNO) the Chin National Front (CNF), and the Karen National Union (KNU) were absent.
The UNFC press release said, to achieve meaningful dialogue it is necessary to ease the military offensive against the UNFC members andfor the government to announce a nation-wide ceasefire and to enter into negotiations to solve the long standing ethnic problem through political means.
