According to Dr. Min Soe Linn, the MNP General Secretary, topics discussed at the meeting included amendment of the 2008 constitution, the 2015 election, current political conflicts, ceasefires and the peace process.

He said: “The ambassador asked us about the political situation in Mon State. From our [MNP] side we talked about how hard it is to amend the 2008 constitution and asked him what he thought of it. As well as discussing the constitution we also discussed the Tatmadaw [Burmese Army].

The Ambassador and the British Defence Attaché Colonel Tony Stern met with the MNP and the NMSP at 11.00am for an hour.

Representing the MNP were the MNP’s temporary central committee members Nai Ngwe Thein (chairman) and Dr. Min Soe Linn. Representing the NMSP were captain M. Seik Chan and his group.

After a short break the ambassador and defence attaché met with the AMDP general secretary Dr. Min Nwe Soe (Mon State Minister of planning and economics) and Amyotha Hluttaw representative Dr. Banyar Aung Moe.

According to Dr. Banyar Aung Moe the ambassador explained the relationship between the British and Burmese armies and governments.

Dr. Banyar Aung Moe said: “At the start of the discussion they asked us about the current political and peace situations. The ambassador explained the relationship between the British and Burmese governments and said that it was a priority for Britain to support civil society and democracy. He also talked about ethnic language teaching.”

After meeting with the AMDP representatives the ambassador’s group met with members of the Mon State Industrial Department.

The American Ambassador Derek Mitchell and a delegation have also previously travelled to Mon State in December 2012. They also met with representatives of the Mon political parties in Moulmein.