Truce between govt and PSLF/TNLA depends on Hpa-an talks

The ceasefire between the Palaung State Liberation Front and the Ta-aung National Liberation Army (PSLF/TNLA) with the government depends on the results of peace talks between the government and ethnic armed groups scheduled to be held in Hpa-an, Karen State, said PSLF/TNLA secretary Col Tar Phone Kyaw.


PSLF/TNLA has held two rounds of informal talks and one round of formal talks with the government in July 2013, but so far have failed to reach an agreement.

“If both the government and ethnic armed groups were willing to make compromises, the Hpa-an peace talks will be fruitful. As the National Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT) and Union Peace-making Work Committee are still negotiating, it’s not yet the right time to hold talks with the government,” said Col Tar Phone Kyaw.

Although the PSLF/TNLA has a strategic relationship with the Kachin Independence Organization and Kachin Independence Army (KIO/KIA) due to being in close proximity, the PSLF/TNLA will make an independent decision about whether to sign any ceasefire deal.

The PSLF/TNLA has formed combined forces with Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) apart from KIO/KIA, said TSLF/TNLA Chief of Staff Col Hopalin.

“The United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) and the government held talks in Myit-kyina late last year, but the government wanted ethnic armed groups to lay down their arms and disagree with ethnic armed groups’ aspiration of having a federalist system. However we expect good results from the second round of talks,” said RSLF/TNLA Deputy Chief of Staff Col Ta Ku Lang.

The PSLF exchanged arms for peace back in 2005. However the deal was relinquished when the government failed to keep its promise to undertake development tasks and drug abuse had increased in Palaung region, PSLF/TNLA was re-formed in 2012.

The government has signed truces with all ethnic armed groups other than the KIO/KIA and PSLF/TNLA.

Tun Tun Min

Source-http://www.mmfreedom/-daily.com/?p=17062