The New Mon State Party (NMSP) has invited Mon political parties, Mon civil society organizations, monks and experts to join the upcoming 8th Mon National Conference, according to yesterday’s statement released by the NMSP at 69th Mon Revolution Day.
The NMSP invitation aimed at negotiating and discussing the views and desires of all Mon people.
The 8th Mon National Conference, slated to be held on August 22, will take place over 3 days in Taungpauk Village, Kyarinnseikkyi Township, in NMSP controlled area, with two core topics to be discussed, according to the organizing committee for the conference.
“Only two topics will be discussed at the conference. One regards the 21st Century Panglong Conference and the other, reflects on the unity of Mon people. With a focus on these two topics, we will also discuss the documents that have been submitted to the conference,” said Nai Win Hla, of the NMSP central executive committee and the organizing committee of 8th Mon National Conference.
The released statement included that the 21st Century Panglong Conference or Union Peace Conference will take place on August 31, and it is necessary to negotiate the views of ethnic armed groups, political parties and society organizations in order to establish genuine federal union.
Nai Win Hla added that at the moment the organizing committee has received at least five documents from the NMSP, the Mon National Party, Mon monks and civil society organizations, to present at the conference. Even with the decided topic focus, representatives are welcome to submit their ideas.
Approximately 300 representatives from the NMSP, Mon political parties, Mon civil society organizations, monks and important individuals will be present at the conference, according to the organizing committee.
“The organizing committee will review the submitted topics. They will check which points should and should not be discussed at the conference. The topics that should not be discussed will be re-worked and only be presented at the conference after getting approval,” said Nai Win Hla.
It was decided at the All Mon Regions Democracy Party (AMDP) recent central executive meeting that the party will not to join the conference. However, several of party’s township-level branch members have urged to reconsider and join the conference.
The 7th Mon National Conference, was held under the leadership of the Mon Affairs Union (MAU), in 2013, at the State Hall of Mon State’s Capital Mawlamyine, formerly known as Moulmein.
