At a press conference of a UNFC emergency meeting last week in northern Thai city Chiang Mai, Vice Chairman Nai Hongsar told reporters: “They [the Burma government] invited us to attend the 21st Century Panglong [Conference]. We are not clear whether all [UNFC] members can attend it. Even if all of us can attend it, will we have the same rights? For example to discuss and make decisions? We want this to be clear.”

Dr Zaw Min Oo, of the 21st Century Panglong Preparatory Committee, reportedly has stated that all of the groups can attend the conference and submit their views but only those that signed nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) last October are allowed to vote on decisions.

Zaw Min Oo formerly with the Myanmar Peace centre is now part of the committee transforming it into the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre (NRPC) in Nay Pyi Taw. The former Myanmar Peace centre in Yangon will be maintained as a second NRPC office.

The NCA, which was introduced by the former Thein Sein government, has been strongly criticised for including some groups while excluding others. Mainly those that started fighting with the Burma Army after reforms were started.

Only eight of the fifteen groups that were invited signed the NCA. Of the seven that didn’t all are UNFC members that refused to sign mainly because the Ta’ang National Liberation Army/ Palaung State Liberation Front, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and Arakan Army (AA) were excluded.

There are twenty-one non-state armed groups in the country. Of the thirteen that didn't join the NCA, nine are UNFC members.

UNFC members that will meet Aung San Suu Kyi are:  Lt. Gen N’Ban La; Kachin Independence Organisation; Nai Htaw Mon, chairman of New Mon State Party; Abel Tweed, chairman of Karenni National Progress Party, Maj.Gen. Say Htin, patron of Shan State Progress Party.

Reporting by MNA
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by BNI staff