KNU Meets President, U Thein Sein, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, and Pyidanungsu Hluttaw House Speaker Thura U Shwe Mahn in Naypyidaw

The KNU delegation consisted of KNU President General Mutu Sae Poe, Political and Military Affairs Advisor Col Saw Htoo Htoo Lay, KNLA General Office of Command General Saw Johnny, Central Executive Committee members Col Saw Roger and Mahn Nyein Maung, Central Standing Committee member Major Tamla Thaw, PSO to the KNU President Saw Tamula and PSO to Political and Military Affair Advisor Saw Baw Bow.

On 4 June 2014 from 10 - 12.20 pm they met with senior tatmadaw leaders at Bayinnaung, Naypyidaw. From the tatmadaw side, the meeting was led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (Commander in Chief), Vice-Senior General Soe Win (Deputy C-in-C), General Hla Htay Win (Joint Chief Minister of Defense Service – Army, Navy & Airforce), Lt General Hla Min (Commander of Bureau of Special Operations - 3), Lt General Thet Naing Win (Minister of Border and Security affair and Commander of Bureau of Special Operations-4), Lt. Gen. Myat Tun Oo (Commander of Bureau of Special Operations - 5), Lt. General Khin Zaw Oo (Adjutant General), Lt. Gen. Kyaw Shwe (Military Affairs Security Chief).

When meeting with the C-in-C, the KNU discussed 3 main issues. 1. The relocation of troops from civilian locations. 2. Obsticale points that are stalling the Nationwide Ceasefire Draft Document with the participation of all Ethnic Armed Organisation. 3. The current 2008 Consitution by presented their perspective on the consitutional ammendments. The C-in-C reassured the KNU delegation of BA troop relocation from the civilian places and the implementation will be follow soon with the local military level. They also responded with a commitment from the army to gain peace and end armed conflict.

At the meeting, they said they would reassure the people by allowing them freedom and in order to gain their trust, they will hurry to ensure the implementation of the relocation of troops stationed at religious buildings, villages, traditional and cultural places. They want to assure peace by implementing a soft approach.

Later that day, in the evening from 5-6pm the delegation met with President U Thein Sein at the hall of the 500-acre model modern mechanised farm. KDHW Advisor Dr Martha joined the KNU delegation.

President U Thein Sein was accompanied with Minister U Aung Min (Minister of the President’s office (4) of Burma/Myanmar and Vice Chairman of UPWC), U Soe Thein (Minister of President Office-3), Lt General Thet Naing Win (Minister of Border and Security Affairs and Commander of Bureau of Special Operations-4), U Khin Maung Soe (Ministry of Electric Power), U Khin Ye (Minister of Immigration and Population of Myanmar), U Ye Htut (Deputy Minister of Information and President Speaker), and Senior Officers from MPC.

Both sides openly discussed issues and reflected on the current challenges of the Peace Process. It was agreed that both sides must work until peace in Burma is gained.

The following day on the 5 June 2014, the KNU delegation met with Pyidaungsu Hluttaw’s Chairman Thura U Shwe Mahn at Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, Naypyidaw, Burma/Myanmar.

The President of KNU and the delegation reported, “We appreciate the work of the House Speaker of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw and its members in supporting the Peace Process in Burma. After signing the agreement of Nationwide Ceasefire, the Hluttaw needs to recognize the agreements through Hluttaw’s procedures and ratify them in order to support the Peace Process which is fair and just”.

Pyidaungsu Hluttaw’s Chairman Thura U Shwe Mahn responded, “Pyidaungsu Hluttaw supports Ethnic unity, reconciliation, and the Peace Process. We trust the involvement of the Karen people and the KNU in supporting the Peace Process, and will support the Peace Process through fair and just Legislation”.