BREAKING NEWS

Armed violation is not a solution to the Mon

"Seminar on Mon National Affairs called for a peaceful
solution"

March 7, 2002
IMNA / Sangkhlaburi


A Mon National Seminar called for a peaceful solution
on the conflict of new Mon splinter group from the New
Mon State Party (NMSP). A mass armed force will not
achieve its national interests, majority participants
said at the seminar.

Representatives of Mon Buddhist Monks, representatives
of Mon Unity League (MUL), special representatives of
Mon community and delegates of NMSP deeply discussed
for two days in regard the current armed conflict of
the Mon and called a peaceful solution right now.

General Nai Htaw Mon, Mon National Liberation Army
(MNLA) briefed the current situation of armed conflict
to more than seventy representatives. He expressed
'we never neglect our revolution and we hold our arms
for freedom'. He stressed on the role of armed force
for a freedom of Monland.

Majority representatives raised their great concerns
in regard life of ordinary people in the armed
conflict zone between Mon armed groups.

The current position of the NMSP toward other armed
groups is that 'any armed groups who fight against the
Burmese army ought not to operate any actions in its
controlled areas'. The NMSP still maintains its
cease-fire agreement between State Peace and
Development Council (SPDC), the current Burmese
military regime.

Nai Hongsar, Joint Secretary of NMSP indicated the
potential change of their previous decisions in the
central committee of NMSP in regard the armed conflict
against the splinter group. He said that 'If the
situation changes, why can't we change our position.
We welcome the efforts of Negotiation Group that
established by Mon Unity League (MUL) and other Mon
monks'.

Representatives discussed for two days to find a
better solution than do nothing. They deeply and
cautiously debated about the armed conflict issues
with freedom of expression. The seminar made a clear
decision that 'member of negotiation group of MUL,
representatives of Buddhist monks and other senior Mon
people are authorized to be actors of peace makers
between New Mon State Party and other Mon armed group,
formerly known "Hongsawatoi Restoration Party" led by
Colonel Nai Pan Nyunt.

Many ordinary Mon people who are members of two armed
groups have faced great problems for shelters and food
due to lack of mature understanding to the nature of
the issues. A few families of the new -armed group
have been moved for safety reasons. Nai Kasauh Mon,
Joint Secretary of MUL clearly proposed to the
authority of the NMSP on seminar that 'we simply
cannot accept that any kind of punishments to family
of two armed group or other ordinary citizens. It is
totally unfair for local people in the areas'.

Mon Unity League has proposed Ten Points Plan for
negotiation under the title of 'a proposal for
solution of the revolution - agenda for solution of
the armed conflicts'.

Negotiation Group of MUL, representatives of Mon monks
and other senior Mon people are working under way for
a peaceful solution with their good wills for both
sides of armed groups.


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