Myanmar gov't, student rebel group reach agreement in central-level talk

YANGON (Xinhua) - The Myanmar government reached a peace agreement with the country's student rebel group, the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF), in central-level talks held Saturday in Yangon's Peace Center.

During the talks between the government's Central Peace Making Work Committee headed by Vice Chairman U Aung Min and the ABSDF led by Chairman Yebaw Thanke, the two sides agreed on 13 points that are seen as breakthrough in the government's efforts to make peace with the students' armed group.

The agreement includes striving to ensure nation-wide ceasefire, forming an independent monitoring team for the ceasefire and local peace making process,  officially inviting political forces, parties and organizations and persons for their inclusiveness in the political process, freeing all political prisoners and continuing discussions on ABSDF-proposed democratic affairs, national equality and autonomy.

Other points include the removal of ABSDF from the unlawful organization list, coordination for opening liaison offices in Kalay (Myanmar-India border area), Phyathonzu (Myanmar-Thai border area), Muse (Myanmar-China border area) and Loikaw (capital of Kayah state), drafting a code of conduct for both armies and holding the second round of central talks in November.

The ABSDF, founded along with the Four-Eights Nationwide Democracy Movement in late 1988, had been operating on the Myanmar-Thai border after the previous military government took over the state power then.

The armed group in exile, besides being outlawed by the previous military government in 2006, was also declared as a terrorist organization along with three others, namely the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB), Federation of Trade Union of Burma (FTUB) and National League for Democracy-Liberated Area (NLD-LA).

When President U Thein Sein made peace offer to internal armed groups in August 2011, ABSDF was covered by the offer.

In the last round of state-level talks on Aug. 5 this year, a four-point preliminary agreement was reached on ceasefire as of the day for ensuring a nationwide truce and holding a political dialogue, taking measures to avoid conflict, allowing unarmed ABSDF members to travel to government-designated areas and opening of liaison office in Myawaddy, where arms are not allowed in.

The ABSDF represented the sixth armed group with which the government has negotiated  so far this year. The other five are the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS)'s Shan State Army (SSA)-South, Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP)'s Shan State Army (SSA)-North and Kayinni National Progressive Party (KNPP).  

According to U Aung Min, 13 ethnic armed groups in the country have entered ceasefire agreement with the government.