Myanmar gov't, rebels strive to bring Kachin IDPs back home

Xinhua | 2013-6-3 10:54:42  
By Agencies  

The Myanmar government and the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) have started work on bringing Kachin internal displaced people back home from relief camps following recent talks in Myitgyina, the capital of northernmost Kachin state.
As part of the implementation of the seven-point agreement signed after the three-day talks in Myitgyina, the two sides are discussing how to best meet the security, economy, education, health and social requirements in starting reconstruction.

U Aung Min, vice chairman of the Central Peace Making Work Committee and also minister at the President's Office, called for cooperation with the government in peace process as he visited IDP camps soon after the talks, while Army Chief Lieutenant-General

Myint Soe promised military's all-out efforts to assist in public security and rehabilitation work.

Daily necessities are being provided to victims living in relief camps.

In the just-ended talks with the government delegation led by U Aung Min and the KIO delegation headed by USmlut Guam, the two sides signed a seven-point agreement which includes holding political talks in the next round, ceasing hostilities, forming a joint monitoring committee, and resettling internally displaced people.

It was the first time that the government-KIO peace talks was held domestically among a series of talks that took place in neighboring countries.

The government and the KIO first resumed peace talks in Ruili on Feb. 4 after the government announced unilateral ceasefire with KIA, the army of KIO, on Jan.18.

That talks focused on establishment of communication channel and reduction of military tension.

Another round of talks took place in Chiang Mai, Thailand on Feb. 20 which involved the United Nationalities Federal Council ( UNFC), an alliance of Myanmar ethnic nationalities with the KIO as a member.

More talks continued in the Chinese border town of Ruili in March until the resumption of May talks in Myitgyina.

Since June 2011, the government forces and the KIA had been intermittently fighting amid several talks.

Meanwhile, Myanmar will let in humanitarian assistance for displaced people in the Kachin state torn by armed conflict and the government is arranging to reconstruct houses, reopen schools and hospitals in the aftermath of the armed conflict.

Observers here said the outcome of May talks in Myitgyina has paved way for next political talks in the future between the government and the KIO, which is likely to cover KIO's demand for self-administration.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/786290.shtml#.UaxPrZwV93w