Myanmar signs pact with Mon rebels

• Published: 27/02/2012 at 01:19 PM   ....

Bangkokpost - Myanmar has signed a preliminary peace agreement with separatists in southeast Mon State, official media reported on Monday, the latest in a series of deals with ethnic minority guerrillas.

Myanmar has signed a preliminary peace agreement with separatists in southeast Mon State, official media reported Monday, the latest in a series of deals with ethnic minority guerrillas. President Thein Sein (pictured) has launched efforts to end ethnic conflict as part of a raft of landmark reforms in recent months.

A delegation led by Railways Minister Aung Min and representative of the New Mon State Party agreed to observe a ceasefire, begin political dialogue and work together on education and healthcare, the New Light of Myanmar said.
The authorities also pledged to free "comrades" of the party who are in prison, while both sides agreed to avoid forced labour, it added.
The party's armed wing, the Mon National Liberation Army, is one of Myanmar's smaller armed ethnic minority groups. It is believed to have about 1,000 troops based in the hills of southeast Myanmar.
Civil war has gripped parts of Myanmar since its independence in 1948, and an end to the conflicts is a key demand of the international community.
President Thein Sein -- a former general who came to power last year after decades of outright military rule ended -- has launched efforts to end ethnic conflict as part of a raft of landmark reforms in recent months.
The new army-backed government has reached tentative peace deals with several rebel groups including in eastern Karen and Shan states, but bloody fighting in northern Kachin has overshadowed reconciliation efforts.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/281829/myanmar-inks-peace-pact-with-mon-rebels-media