“The problem must be resolved at the root cause. Problems will continue if they resolve only minor issues. If they really want national reconciliation, they must stop the war,” National Democratic Force (NDF) party leader Khin Maung Swe toldMizzima.
 
The National Unity Party (NUP) spokesman Han Shwe said it also supported an immediate cease-fire. “The outbreak of renewed war affects many people. We’d like to see reconciliation as soon as possible.”

The state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported on Friday that Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) legislator San Maung from Tigyaing made a a motion in the Sagaing Region Legislative Assembly session opposing the KIO for hindering and obstructing state development projects in Kachin State.

The state-run daily paper accused the KIO of intimidating and obstructing construction projects at the Lasa hydropower plant under construction on the east bank of the Malikha River, where Chinese engineers and staff on May 5 were forced to abandon a work camp.

The motion by San Maung said the “KIO intimidated Chinese workers and staffs, obstructed and hindered the construction of this project, and arrested government employees and civilians.

The government has accused the KIO of destroying 25 bridges that are crucial to transportation in the area, forcing 215 Chinese workers to return to China by destroying hydropower plant and transmission pylons and inflicting heavy financial losses because of the shut down of the power station.

“Talking only cannot change the current situation. We should stand on stopping the war no matter who started it”, Khin Maung Swe said. “The blame game will not work. We should stand on common ground. The common ground should be peace, tranquility, unity and development,” Han Shwe said.

San Maung’s motion was seconded by Chin Progressive Party (CPP) Chairman and Sagaing Region government Ethnic Affairs Minister Noe Thang Kup.

Han Shwe said, “We must find a homegrown solution for this problem rather than a third-party settlement. We must avoid foreign influence. I think we can resolve this crisis by negotiating like a family.”

KIO joint secretary La Nan told Mizzima on Thursday that the cease-fire talks for stopping the war were in the preliminary stage.
“They must produce the proof of a unilateral cease-fire order issued to their troops. If they do this, we shall issue a similar order to our troops on the frontline. After issuing these orders, we will sign a cease-fire agreement with either the military or government officials,” he said.

 “The mutual promises and obligations should reflect the attitude and soul of the Panglong Agreement and it should be made public at home and abroad by signing official and binding documents,” Khin Maugn Swe said. He said the issue of ethnic peace should be taken up in a joint session of Parliament.

The KIO has said that it would surrender it arms if a agreement could be reached which included the principles of the Panglong Agreement which guaranteed equality and the right to self-determination for ethnic people.