Myanmar signs ceasefire to end 62-year ethnic conflict

PA-AN – Myanmar’s government signed a cease-fire with ethnic Karen rebels yesterday to try to end one of the world’s longest-running insurgencies, part of its efforts to resolve all conflicts with separatist groups.

The government and the 19-member Karen National Union (KNU) delegation agreed in principle to 11 points and signed two broad agreements to end hostilities between the military and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and start dialogue toward a political settlement to a 62-year conflict.The cease-fire could be a small step toward the lifting of two decades of sanctions imposed on Myanmar by the European Union and the United States, which have made peace with ethnic militias a pre-requisite for a review of the embargoes.Peace talks have been held on six occasions since 1949, but no lasting agreement has been reached.The deputy leader of the KNU delegation, Saw David Htaw, said the climate of change in Myanmar under its new reform-minded government made dialogue inevitable.’We have never been more confident in our talks. According to the changing situation everywhere, peace talks are unavoidable now, this is something we have to pass through without fail,’ he told Reuters.’The people have experienced the horrors of war a long time. I’m sure they’ll be very glad to hear this news. I hope they’ll be able to fully enjoy the sweet taste of peace this time.’Through the KNLA, its military wing, the KNU has fought successive governments for greater autonomy since 1949, a year after Myanmar gained independence from Britain. – Nampa-Reuters