UN special adviser visits Laiza

Vijaw Nambiar, the UN special envoy on Burma.

Vijay Nambiar, the United Nations (UN) special adviser to the Secretary-General on Burma, arrived in Laiza today.  The landmark visit was the first time that Nambiar visited the capital of Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) located in Burma’s most northern Kachin state.

Nambiar arrived at Laiza at about 11:30 am and was back in the Kachin state capital of Myitkyina by about 4 pm. During the four hour visit, the UN envoy met with KIO leaders and the IDP and Refugee Relief Committee (IRRC), Labang Doi Pyi Sa, head of the IRRC, told the Kachin News Group.

Nambiar’s visit was very important for the KIO, Doi Pyi Sa said.

The Laiza visit has come after the formation of the KIO Technical Advisory Team.  An office was opened in the government-controlled Kachin state capital of Myitkyina on July 23. The team was formed after the KIO inked a seven-point agreement with the government during peace talks at the end of May. Although the signing of the agreement, which was mediated by both the UN and China in Myitkyina on May 30, fell short of ceasefire it promised to help reduce military conflicts by implementing a monitoring mechanism.

The conflict has been significantly reduced in both Kachin state and northern Shan state after the agreement came into force. But fighting between militia loyal to both sides has increased in in Chipwi Township in northeastern Kachin state since mid-August.

www.kachinnews.com

www.burmese.kachinnews.com

www.kahcin.kachinnews.com

www.kachin-news.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/Kachin-News-Group