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| NCCT leader Naing Han Tha at meeting between UPWC and NCCT in Yangon in September (Photo-EMG) |
The success of Myanmar’s nationwide ceasefire depends on the government’s response to the Myanmar Army’s shelling of a military academy in Laiza, as well as other contentious issues raised in previous talks, said Naing Han Tha, the leader of Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT).
The government’s Union Peacemaking Working Committee (UPWC) has offered to hold the next round of ceasefire talks with the NCCT, an organisation representing ethnic groups, on December 18. The NCCT will reportedly hold a meeting on December 14 to deliberate over the offer.
The NCCT has asked the government to clarify its stance on the army’s shelling of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) military academy in Laiza, Kachin State, on November 19, which left 23 cadets dead and several others injured. The NCCT also requested explanations of some other controversial political affairs in the ceasefire draft. The UPWC is likely to reply soon.
“How will the government answer our questions? Our decision will be based on its response. We will review the government’s response in a meeting,” said Naing Han Tha. “Particularly, how will the government remedy its mistakes? What stance it will take? We also have to wait for other coordinated points.”
He said the government’s failure to take responsibility for the Laiza issue would lead to dissatisfaction, adding that further coordination and negotiation is necessary.
“If the government fails to agree to the points we have demanded, the ceasefire agreement will be a long way away,” said Naing Han Tha.
The government’s attacks on the KIA’s military academy have caused difficulty in continuing the ongoing ceasefire talks.
In the talks between the UPWC and the NCCT in Yangon in September, more controversial points emerged during the discussion about the ceasefire draft. These will also influence the future of the ceasefire process, according to the NCCT.
http://elevenmyanmar.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8368:national-ceasefire-depends-on-govt-response-to-shelling-of-laiza-military-academy-says-ncct&catid=32:politics&Itemid=354
