7/24/2019 ENAC Briefing No. 14 - Report of Meeting Between UNFC and UPWC (23 February 2016)

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SENSE OF URGENCY EXPRESSED,ISSUE OF ALL-INCLUSIVENESS UNRESOLVED

ENAC Briefing No. 14

23 February 2016

On February 22ndin Chiang Mai, Thailand, the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC)met with the Union Peacemaking Working Committee (UPWC), led by the groups ViceChairman U Aung Min. In his opening remarks, U Aung Min said President Thein Sein sent

him to meet the non-signatory EAOs to discuss the signing of the Nationwide CeasefireAgreement (NCA); he said the president was sorry that only eight groups signed. U Aung

Min stressed the importance of the role of the military in the peace process and conflict

resolution.

The UNFC continued to seek the all-inclusive peace process that includes the Arakan Army

(AA), the Palaung State Liberation Front/Taang National Liberation Army (PSLF/TNLA),

and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA). The UPWC said it would

try to talk separately with the three groups, but it could not guarantee their inclusion in theNCA. The UPWC said the goal is to be all-inclusive, but to achieve this goal will require

them to treat groups differently. U Aung Min, who lost in the last election, and his team

expressed a sense of urgency and would like to push the process forward in the remaining 40

days of their term. While urging the UNFC to propose what it wants in the next 40 days

period, the UPWC team remained firm on the exclusion of the AA, PSLF/TNLA, andMNDAA.

The UPWC team reviewed the achievements of the peace process so far and urged the UNFC

to not impede this progress by refusing to sign the NCA within the term of President Thein

Sein, who has portrayed himself as a peacemaker and would like to leave a legacy as such.

The UPWC also implied that the National League for Democracy (NLD) is ill equipped to

lead the peace process and is overwhelmed with forming a new government. The NLD has toconsult with the military on matters concerning the peace process and seek the militarys

recommendations. Furthermore, the NLD may not be able to prioritize the peace processbecause it will have to answer first to the desires of the public. Additionally, the new

government will not be able to work much in April because it is the month of Buddhist New

Year. Based on these statements, the UPWC was essentially informing the non-signatories

that NLD would not be as able to address their needs as well as the current government;

accordingly, if the non-signatories decide to move forward, they should do it now.

There has been speculation that the incoming government is unlikely to use the Myanmar

Peace Center (MPC), a broker for the UPWC, in the peace process. Seeing their future inquestion, the UPWC team, which is comprised of members from the MPC, seemed to assert

their roles as if the peace process could not continue without them.

Initially the UPWC team was not willing to meet the non-signatories collectively as UNFC,

wishing instead to meet them individually. The UNFC, however, maintained that non-

signatories would only meet UPWC as a united group. The UNFC team, led by Nai Han Tha,

consisted of Khu Oo Reh, Gen. Sumlut Gun Maw, Gen. Sao Sai Htoo, Col. Solomon, U

Twan Zaw, Dr. Khin Maung, Ta Nyi Lu, Nai Shwe Thein, and Nai Ron Tin. The UPWC

team consisted of U Aung Min, U Khin Zaw Oo, U Tin Maung Than, U Hla Maung Shwe, UAung Naing Oo, Dr. Kyaw Yin Hlaing and U Nyo Un Myint.