The leaders of armed ethnic groups meeting in Laiza are considering extending their talks amid progress towards reaching a common position on a national ceasefire accord with the government.
A spokesman for the Restoration Council of Shan State, Khun Sai, said on October 31 that a resolution on a common ground for the negotiations with the government was likely to be approved today, November 1.
The Laiza conference, which began on October 30, has brought together the leaders of 17 armed groups, most of which are members of the United Nationalities Federal Council.
The meeting is being held at the headquarters of the Kachin Independence Organisation, one of the members of the UNFC.
Khun Sai said a member of the Chin National Front supreme council, Dr Salai Liang Hmung, would lead a group appointed to draft a common position on a ceasefire accord.
The common position would combine elements from draft ceasefire accords prepared by the government, the UNFC and the Working Group for Ethnic Cooperation.
“The draft common ground would be prepared by a group led by Dr. Sali Lian Hmung by studying and combining these different three proposals. Discussion for forming a committee on that matter will take place the next day,” Khun Sai said on October 31.
Palaung State Liberation Front general secretary Mai Phone Kyaw said the conference might be extended until November 2.
“The extension of the conference will depend on the outcome of tomorrow’s negoations,” Mai Phone Kyaw told Mizzima on October 31.
“Today we discussed the various opinions on a nationwide ceasefire,” he said, adding that he welcomed the opportunity provided by the conference for ethnic groups to exchange views on the matter.
Discussion at the conference yesterday also touched on the framework for political dialogue and heard briefings from Karen National Union and RSCC delegates on their meeting with government representatives.
