Myanmar government , Kachin armed group resume peace talks

The Myanmar government and the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) resumed political talks in Myitkyina, the capital of Myanmar's northernmost Kachin state, Tuesday. The government side was headed by U Aung Min, Vice Chairman of the Central Peace Making Work Committee, and Lieutenant-General Myimt Soe from the Defense Ministry, while the KIO side was led by U Sun Lut Kan and Deputy Commander General Khun Maw. The three-day talks, also attended by Kachin state parliament representatives, was observed by eight other ethnic armed groups, Chinese Embassy Counselor Lu Zhi and Spokesman Gao Mingbo as well as special envoy of the UN Secretary-General Vijay Nambiar. Opening of military coordination offices and matters related to the two sides' armed forces will highlight the first day talks. The KIO delegation will also meet local people on Wednesday, local sources said. The government announced unilateral ceasefire with KIA, the army of KIO, on Jan. 18 in preparation for the political dialogue. On Feb. 4, the government and the KIO resumed peace talks in the Chinese border town of Ruili which focused on establishment of communication channel and reduction of military tension. A follow-up political dialogue took place in Chiang Mai, Thailand on Feb. 20 involving the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), which is an alliance of Myanmar ethnic nationalities with the KIO as a member. The talks continued in Ruili in March until the resumption of the present talks. Since June 2011, Myanmar government forces and the KIA had been continuously fighting until the resumption of February talks in Ruili.