Mahn Nyein Maung made the statement while attending a “peace-building process consultation meeting” held in Irrawaddy Division’s Maubin Township on May 27 th.

During the meeting, which was organized by Maubin Township’s Karen Culture and Literacy Committee, Mahn Nyein Maung said that “Genuine peace can be achieved only through the collaboration of the government, ethnic armed organizations, and civilians. We can only proceed through mutual respect. Peace-building won’t be successful if we engage each other using oppressive means or [just] to make use of the opportunity.”

Standing in front of a banner which declared, “Welcome to the supportive event for the peace-building process implemented by the Karen National Union (KNU) and the central [Burmese] government,” the meeting’s lead organizer, Mahn Khin Maung Nyein, said that civilian participation is important during the peace process.

Speaking at the event, Mahn Khin Maung Nyein said that “We’ve been longing for genuine and lasting peace. So, we are organizing this type of ceremony. We would like to urge civilians to participate in the peace process.”

As many as 3,000 individuals and representatives from various organizations from Irrawaddy Division attended the meeting. There were also several prominent individuals attending the meeting, including Kayin People’s Party leaders; Maubin Township NLD representatives, and Irrawaddy Division’s Minister of Roads and Communication, U Than Tun.

S’ Kyauk Keh, a Karen youth who attended the ceremony said: “I attended this event to support genuine and lasting peace. I want to see peace. I am also glad to have the opportunity to be part of this ceremony. There are a lot of things to learn.”

Similar events have been organized in the area twice before. The first was on May 1st, 2013 in Pantanaw Township and the second was held on May 18th, 2013 in Myaungmya Township.