A delegation of the ethnic armed organizations (EAOs)’ Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) led by U Khaing Soe Naing Aung and the KNPP leaders have agreed to meet at the KNPP headquarters near Mae Hong Son at the Thai-Myanmar border, according to U Khaing Soe Naing Aung, vice-chair of the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP).

“We are meeting with the KNPP because the KNPP hasn’t signed [the NCA] yet so we are going to discuss about the need for them to sign [the NCA]. We will explain the PPST’s position. The PPST’s position is that….there is a decision on the need for the UNFC (United Nationalities Federal Council) members to sign [the NCA]. We will explain the advantages and disadvantages of striving after signing [the NCA] over two years ago. We will discuss about the benefits of taking the advantages and strive for the disadvantages from a platform in accordance with provisions in the NCA,” said U Khaing Soe Naing Aung.

The decision to meet with the KNPP was set down during the 20th PPST meeting, which was held at the end of May, he continued.

“Whether or not they sign [the agreement] is up to them. They need to sign it. They will arrive inside a platform by signing [the agreement]. [The KNPP] will receive many supports in striving [for peace] after they arrive inside a platform. Also, the miscellaneous section of the NCA states that the NCA can be amended via negotiation between the two sides if there are weaknesses in the NCA. Based on this [provision], all organizations that have signed the NCA can amend the NCA, which has been mutually agreed in this miscellaneous 34, after reaching their goal. We have this aim,” he explained.

The PPST delegation will be led by U Khaing Soe Naing Aung as team leader and seven members will accompany him including the deputy team leader Padoh Saw Kwel Htoo. This is the first time the delegation is meeting with the KNPP.

The Chin National Front (CNF)’s chair Pu Zing Cung said the PPST plans to continue the negotiations with other EAOs that have not signed the NCA.

“The NCA refers to nationwide ceasefire. The PPST believes all the EAOs need to be involved in this. The PPST has the duty to [make] everyone sign this NCA and we are striving to meet with the ethnic groups that have not signed yet. There are seven northern groups. We will try to meet them,” he said.

The Karen National Union (KNU), the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), the All Burma Student’s Democratic Front (ABSDF), the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), the Chin National Front (CNF), the Karen National Liberation Army/Peace Council (KNLA/PC), the New Mon State Party (NMSP), and the Lahu Democratic Union (LDU) are signatories to the NCA.