The peace committee of the Chin National Front (CNF) and ethnic party leaders from inside Burma met for the first time at Tawwin Rose Peace Hall in Yangon, on 10 December.
CNF met leaders of the Chin National Party (CNP) and Chin Progressive Party (CPP) after the meeting met Shan the National Democratic Party, All Mon Democratic Party, Phalong-Sapaw Democratic Party (PSDP) and Rakhine Nationalities Progressive Party (RNPP) in the afternoon.
They discussed the finer points of the agreement arrived during the peace parleys. There were six points that was agreed on between CNF and the Centre in the second phase of union level peace talks.
Pu Zin Cung, general secretary of CNF, said, “This kind of meeting will help in the unity of Chin people and we are grateful for establishing the Ashu Chin National Party.”
U Aung Min Hlai, general secretary of Ashu Chin National Party, added that they are prepared for the upcoming 2015 election in 20 townships and he sent his heartfelt thanks for the meeting with the Chin National Front.
The Shan National Democratic Party leader Sat Than Myint said, “The news of ethnic people’s expectation has arrived now. It has been established that a bridge of trust is being built between the new Government and ethnic armed groups. So now is the time for our ethnic parties and armed groups to unite.”
All Mon Democratic Party leader, Naing Hla Mon said that the federal system and equality are very essential for unity in Myanmar. The leader of RNPP added that the central administration should move slowly as there is chaos in Rakhine state.
There were 50 participants at the meeting and the programme concluded at 4 pm. Besides, CNF leaders met ambassadors of UK and US, NLD leader U Tin Oo, U Win Tin and U Win Shwe.
“We had discussed the identity of ethnics as it has dimmed since 1962. Now the NLD is focusing on the issue of ethnics,” said Pu Thomas Thangnou, member of CNF’s Supreme Council.