Khattar Non – Alliance and Foreign Affairs Office of New Mon State Party (NMSP) confirms that NMSP will resume a first political dialogue with Burmese government as agreed in February ceasefire agreement to coordinate a political dialogue and further negotiations within 45 days of signing the agreement.
In order to adhere to the timetable previously laid out, a meeting will be held in Moulmein between NMSP representatives, led by Nai Aung Min, and government peace negotiators led by Railway Minister U Aung Min.
“We will meet in Moulmein on the 10th April. NMSP representatives, including Nai Aung Min, Nai Tala Nyi, Nai Layi Ka-kao, Nai Na Duu Ra Mun, and two district chairmen, will attend the meeting,” said an official from the NMSP coordinating office at a routine press conference.
The NMSP representatives will be comprised of the original preliminary ceasefire team, plus certain new staff, and most are central executives or central committee members.
While the Burmese government expresses its willingness to meet the NMSP Chairman, the NMSP maintains that the discussion with their chairman can only occur after the remaining Mon political prisoners are released.
“The main issues to discuss at the meeting relate to resettlement of troops, the location of NMSP militia, and the economy and development of Mon State. We repeat our demand that the government must release the last Mon political prisoners,” stated the NMSP official.
The NMSP and Union government developed the preliminary ceasefire agreement on February 25, 2012, and signed the document at the Strand Hotel in Moulmein.
The scheduled negotiation is intended solely for the NMSP, but a meeting with all ceasefire groups looks to be set for December of this year.
