The meeting between delegates of Kachin
Independence Organization and Burmese government’s union peace making
group was held in China-Burma border city of Ruili on Feb 4, 2013 from 9
am to 4:15 pm. KIO delegation was led by Salang Kaba Sumlut Gam, head
of Education
department and accompanied by KIA’s vice chief of staff General Sumlut
Gum Maw and government’s negotiation team was led by President’s office minister
U Aung Min. Government’s delegates include former northern commander U
Ohn Myint, U Hla Maung Shwe and Dr. Kyaw Yin Hlaing of Myanmar Egress
and U Min Zaw Oo, who was a research director at Democracy
International.
The meeting was arranged and facilitated by Chinese government.
Chinese government officials were present at the talks between the two
sides, said a local source.A joint statement was issued at the end of the meeting that said the meeting was witnessed by Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaohui, KNU Chairman General Mutu Say Poe, KNU General Secretary Pado Saw Kwe Htoo Win, Brig. Sai Lu of Restoration Council of Shan State and two other Shan officers, U Han Yawnghwe and U Victor Vet Lian.
The statement said line of communication between the two sides, reduction of military tensions, and the presence of outside observers and witnesses in future meetings were discussed in the meeting.
Both sides agreed to meet again before the end of February after KIO’s consultation with UNFC and to begin political dialogues. Both sides agreed to work to decrease volatile confrontation and to achieve lasting ceasefire and will discuss to set up a
