“We, Hluttaw representatives, are working hard to amend the constitution to follow a federalist system, [in order to bring] democracy and peace to the nation. If the constitution grants ethnic groups full rights and equality, and matches that with a federal policy, the peace program that ethnic armed groups are working towards will be quickly accomplished. That is what I told the President [Barak Obama],” said Dr. Banyar Aung Moe, in an interview with IMNA.

During President Obama’s 13th November visit to Nay Pyi Taw for the 9th ASEAN Summit, the US President met with a number of political officials and representatives to discuss Burma’s current political situation, including the Speaker of the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House of Parliament) Thura U Shwe Mann; the Speaker of the Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House of Parliament) U Khin Aung Myint; opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi; and various Hluttaw representatives, including ethnic minority representatives.

Regarding his meeting with President Obama, Dr. Banyar Aung Moe stated that the US President acknowledged changes that had taken place in Burma during its democratic transition, while highlighting the importance of providing full rights and increased opportunities to ethnic groups.

According to Nai Hongsar, leader of the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT) and Vice-Chairman of the New Mon State Party (NMSP), the NCCT submitted a letter to President Obama stating that Burma’s ethnic armed groups are currently engaged in a national peace process, while identifying difficulties the armed groups are facing in negotiations with the Burmese government.

“After the Tatmadaw [Burmese military] has been in power for more than fifty years, it does not seem likely that it will give up its power. The 2008 Constitution also provides protection for its power. If the Tatmadaw does not accept [the negotiations], the Constitution will not be changed in any way,” Nai Hongsar told IMNA.

Nai Hongsar continued that President U Thein Sein said he would only engage in discussions and work towards accomplishing the NCCT’s proposal to form a Union Army after a nationwide ceasefire agreement had been signed.

Although 6th September’s round of peace talks between the government's Union Peace-Making Working Committee (UPWC) and the NCCT failed to reach agreement on a number of points both sides met for an informal meeting earlier this month in Nay Pyi Taw, where they agreed to engage in another round of talks by the end of this month.

During his stay in Nay Pyi Taw on 13th November US President Barak Obama announced that in order to be able to better support Burma’s democratic transition, the US will be introducing a Peace Corps programme in Burma beginning in 2015.

Edited for BNI by Mark Inkey