PSLF says ceasefire should not be pressured through military threats

Thursday, 08 August 2013 02:47
Written by Johnny Magdaleno

When Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF) leaders met with the government's Union Peace-making Working Committee (UPWC) on July 31, they refused to sign a State level ceasefire agreement between the two parties.

 Since then, government forces have begun to bolster their presence in northern Shan state near PSLF-affiliated territories like Kutkai, Nankhan and Namtu, leading party officials like PSLF chairman Tar Aik Bone to speculate that Naypyidaw is using the threat of military intervention to influence the ceasefire process.

"Although the PSLF agreed to discuss the ceasefire at a state level, this did not mean a guaranteed acceptance of conditions. There needs to be more negotiation," said Aik Bone.

During last month's meeting, held in Muse Town, Northern Shan State, peace committee members pressured PSLF delegates to sign the ceasefire before the day's negotiations came to a close. PSLF declined, but with an interest in continuing peace dialogues instead of resorting to military action.

The following Sunday, August 4, the PSLF held a mass meeting in Sai Lein village of Nankhan Town, Northern Shan State, to disclose the meeting's outcome. More than 15,000 citizens from 30 different Shan State villages attended.

According to Aik Bone, the attendees fully supported the idea of additional peace negotiations, but also encouraged the PSLF and its associated armed branch the Ta'ang National Liberation Army not to acquiesce until ceasefire conditions became more agreeable.

Source-http://phophtawnews.org/english/index.php/news/local-news/item/345-pslf-says-ceasefire-should-not-be-pressured-through-military-threats.html