KNU and SPDC holding talk at Moulmein

DVB ( Feb 23-24 )

An 11 member strong team of Karen National Union (KNU) is currently holding a second round of talks with representatives of Burma’s military junta, State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) at the capital of Mon State, Moulmein in southern Burma.

They are expected to discuss the withdrawals of Burmese troops and the resettlement of internally displaced people in Karen State. During the first round of talks in Rangoon, the two sides agreed to a provisional ceasefire but there have been reports of sporadic fighting.

According to KNU General Secretary Phado Mahn Sha, the two sides are hoping to discuss the cessation of SPDC troops’ assaults on the KNU fighters during the current round of talks.

Meanwhile, United Nationalities League for Democracy (UNLD) which is made up of ethnic national parties is planning to meet with senior leaders on National League for Democracy (NLD) to strengthen the ties between pro-democracy groups.

Many ethnic national and pro-democracy groups in Burma are opposing the constitution drafting ‘National Convention’ proposed by the junta in accordance with its seven point ‘roadmap’ plan without holding a tripartite talk.