Burma's Kachin talks end without full ceasefire agreement

Burmese government's peace negotiator Aung Min (right) shake handed with Sumlut Gam, leader of KIO delegation on Oct. 10.

Three days of peace talks between the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and government negotiators ended today in Myitkyina with a positive joint statement from both sides. The joint statement indicated that both the KIO and the government were in favor of moving forward with the 7 point agreement reached in May aimed at deescalating tensions. The statement stopped short however of declaring a full ceasefire.

According to those familiar with the talks the government's team led by Minister Aung Min pushed very hard for the KIO to agree to a ceasefire. Something that the KIO wasn't prepared to sign on to at this time. The good will created between the KIO and the government over the past few months has been somewhat dampened by recent fighting in northern Kachin state's Putao district. The KIO is also highly suspicious of recent moves by the army to send large numbers of troop reinforcements to southern Kachin state.

During the talks the government formally invited the KIO to take part in a national ceasefire conference expected to be held in Naypyidaw before the end of the year. The KIO for its part hasn't formally indicated whether it will attend the conference. The KIO did however publicly declare its intention to host a meeting of its own between all the rebel ethnic rebel groups. The meeting will be held in Laiza the KIO's de facto capital.

Chinese diplomats and the UN Special Envoy to Burma Vijay Nambiar attended the talks as observers. Also attending were the leaders of several Kachin political parties and cultural organizations. Many of Burma's armed rebel groups attended the talks as observers as well, this included the Karen National Union (KNU), New Mon State Party (NMSP), Shan State Progressive Party/Restoration Council of the Shan State (RCSS), United Wa State Party, Chin National Front (CNF), Pa-o National Liberation Organization (PNLO), National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF) and All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF).

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