The Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) led by General Secretary Hkun Hseng left their Wanhai headquarters yesterday to attend a meeting with the government’s Union Peacemaking Work Committee (UPWC) in Naypyitaw, according to Wanhai sources.
“We were put up in Lashio yesterday evening”, one member of the delegation said. “Today we are off to Naypyitaw.”
U Thein Zaw, a vice chairman of the UPWC, is expected to lead the government delegation.
Both sides will discuss the proposal made by U Thein Zaw on 18th October to form a joint committee to oversee peace and development in areas west of the Salween. Both armies have already fought at least six campaigns since the preliminary ceasefire was signed on 28th January 2012.
Meanwhile more troops from the Burma Army are reportedly arriving in areas around Wanhai and Kehsi Townships in Loilem District, Southern Shan State.
Burma Army units, despite the ceasefire, are under standing orders to continue territorial clearance and territorial control according to a document seized by the SSPP/SSA.
