11 February 2015 – Lt. General Yawd Serk’s and 16 other representatives of the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) left their headquarters at Loi Tai Leng for Naypyidaw on 10th February at 10am.
They were gong to Naypyidaw to attend the Union Day celebrations and to sign an agreement committing the RCSS/SSA to the peace process.
Lt. Gen. Yawd Serk said: “Firstly the president invited me to attend the Union Day celebrations. Secondly it is to have a political talk [with the government].”
The group caught a flight from Tachileik Town in Shan State on the afternoon of 10th February.
Two more people from Taunggyi will also join the group on the trip.
Political analysts say that both the RCSS/SSA and the Karen National Union (KNU) ethnic armed groups have become very close to the government since signing the ceasefire.
According to unconfirmed reports the United Wa State Army (UWSA), the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), who are from Mongla and several other ethnic leaders were invited by Thein Sein to attend the Union Day celebrations though they have not yet decided whether or not to sign any agreements.
Translated by Aung Myat Soe English version written by Mark Inkey for BNI
