The meeting, held at the KIO’s liaison office in Myitkyina, was attended by a seven-member delegation from the Myanmar Peace Center (MPC) led by Hla Maung Shwe, a seven-member delegation of the government’s Northern Command that included Colonel Naing Aung, and an eight-member delegation from the KIO led by Colonel La Aung.

The talks lasted from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm.

The two parties agreed that during official negotiations they would discuss war refugees, affairs related to troops, the potential for nationwide peace, and would engage in political dialogue, Hla Maung Shwe, an advisor from the MPC, reported.

Dau Hka, a KIO spokesman, said in a statement, “We will talk about both sides’ improvements and we will try to create a policy regarding IDPs [internally displaced persons]. Concerning affairs related to troops, we will discuss organizational structure, troop positioning, and a plan to form a joint monitoring committee. As soon as [the government]says that they will sign a nationwide ceasefire, we will be ready to discuss other matters.”

According to Dau Hka, the government has proposed to discuss the details of their troop locations in the coming Union-level talks, and the KIO has accepted their offer.

In response to the question of whether or not the KIO will attend the signing of the nationwide ceasefire in November, Dau Kha told Mizzima that it was impossible to say.

“It depends on their agenda. I don’t want to say anything now. This is a matter that is still being negotiated with the help of the international community. This is a matter that the whole country is focused on,” DauHka said. “I don’t want to provide any further feedback at this time.”