Myanmar president reiterates welcome of ethnic peace conference

Myanmar's President U Thein Sein on Friday reiterated his welcome of the ongoing peace conference in Laiza, Kachin state, of leaders of ethnic armed groups, which is held to discuss issues related to the prospective signing of nationwide ceasefire agreement with the government. In his regular monthly radio speech to the nation, U Thein Sein expressed convince that the Laiza peace conference of leaders of ethnic armed groups will pave way for the successful inauguration of political dialogue process between the government and the armed groups. He clarified that the planned signing of nationwide ceasefire agreement is to comply with the demands of the ethnic armed groups, to reaffirm all existing agreements and to undertake the tasks needed to inaugurate the peace dialogue process immediately after the signing. Making clear that in the current peace process the government discussed all the proposed items from the ethnic armed groups without setting any pre-conditions, he said such actions helped build mutual trust. He underlined that the analysis of the recent political discussions and debates on the constitution indicates that democratic practices have begun to take shape in the society, however, calling for avoidance of taking extreme measures in dealing with constitutional amendments. He also assured of putting no political prisoners in jail. He warned of many challenges which still hamper the government' s efforts to build an open society, citing the recent renewed riot in Thandwe. He urged the communal leaders to work with each other in finding solution through dialogue, while placing emphasis on maintaining law and order and regional stability. Organized by the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), a three-day peace conference has been underway in Laiza since Wednesday involving 18 ethnic armed groups. President U Thein Sein, in his Wednesday message to the conference, hoped that the resolutions adopted and agreements produced out of the conference could help for signing nationwide ceasefire accords with the government and lay down framework for political dialogue to build lasting peace in the country. The government claimed that is has reached ceasefire agreements with 14 ethnic armed groups since the President's peace offer was extended in August 2011, leaving three armed groups unsettled, which include KIO and Palaung State Liberation Front(PSLF), also known as Ta'ang National Liberation Army(TNLA). Meanwhile, the Myanmar President was encouraged by the assurance of all armed groups that they will never secede from the Union of Myanmar.