29 January, 2012 — With the aim of building regional peace, a talk was held between Union level peacemaking group and Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP)/Shan State Army peace-making group in Taunggyi, Shan State (South), yesterday morning. Union level peace-making group comprised group leader Taungtha Township Pyithu Hluttaw representative U Aung Thaung, deputy leader Myitkyina Township Pyithu Hluttaw representative U Thein Zaw and members Union Minister U Ohn Myint, Union Minister U Win Tun, Shan State Chief Minister U Sao Aung Myat, Kayan Township Pyithu Hluttaw representative U Maung Maung Thein, Commander of North-East Command Maj-Gen Aung Kyaw Zaw, Commander of Central East Command Maj-Gen Mya Tun Oo, Deputy Minister Maj-Gen Zaw Win, Deputy Minister U Soe Tint, Deputy Attorney-General U Tun Tun Oo, Lt-Col Zaw Naing Oo and Shan State Minister for Security and Border Affairs Col Aung Thu. Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP)/Shan State Army peace-making group comprised group leader Party Central Committee Deputy Secretary General Sao Khay Tai and members Sao Khin Min, Sao Khun Hsai, Sao Khay Maung, Sao Kyaw Hla, Sao Htin Mein, Sao Laung Khay, Sao Naw Leik and Sao Hsay Pein Pha.

Before the Union level peace talk, state level initial peace talk was held. Leader of state level peace-making group Shan State Minster for Security and Border Affairs Col Aung Thu and members General Staff Officer (Grade I) of North-East Command, General Staff Officer (Grade I) of Central East Command, regional development supervisor of the Department for Progress of Border Areas and National Races, State Advocate General and leaders of state level peace-making group of SSPP/Shan State Army Sao Khun Hsai, Sao Khay Maung and Sao Kyaw Hla and members Sao Htin Mein and Sao Hsay Pein Pha made cordial discussions at the initial peace talk. They signed five-point preliminary agreement and exchanged the notes.

The five-point preliminary agreement is as follows:

(1) It is agreed to make ceasefire between the Tatmadaw and SSPP/Shan State Army.

(2) It is agreed that troops of SSPP/Shan State Army are allowed to base in Wanhai and then to base temporarily in their branches.

(3) In order to hold mutual coordination and discussion liaison offices and stations will be established in Taunggyi, Lashio and Kholan with the people agreed, by both sides. More offices will be opened in required places.

(4) Apart from the mutually agreed areas, transgression and arms carrying will be allowed under negotiation between both sides.

(5) It is agreed that Union level peace-making group and SSPP peace-making group will continue their talks for ensuring regional peace, stability and development, enabling the troops to earn their living and ensuring lasting peace in the region after meeting in the given place at the given time.

Union level peace-making group leader U Aung Thaung and six members and Shan State Progressive Party/Shan State Army peace-making group leader Sao Khay Tai and six members signed five agreements. The group leaders then exchanged notes. The five agreement points they signed are as follows:-

(1) It is agreed that to build peace, the preliminary agreement signed between Shan State peace-making group and Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) in Taunggyi on 28 January, 2012 shall be approved.

(2) It is agreed that concerted efforts shall be made to ensure non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty at all times based on Panglong spirit.

(3) It is agreed that arrangements for improvement of livelihood and sociolife of Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) members and their families in line with law in cooperation with the government shall be made.

(4) It is agreed that cooperation with the Union government in a fight against narcotic drugs shall be made.

(5) It is agreed that further discussions and negotiations to ensure eternal peace shall be held afterwards.

After the meeting, group leader U Aung Thaung, deputy group leader U Thein Zaw and party presented 500 bags of rice, 50 solar lamps, 20 Sky Net TV receivers provided by the President to SSPP/Shan State Army peacemaking group leader Sao Khay Tai, Sao Khun Hsai and members.