SSA, Naypyitaw reiterate ceasefire after heavy clashes last week

Clashes between the Shan State Army (SSA) South and the Burmese army continues on the Sino-Burmese border. According to local sources in Namkham, bases set up by the SSA South north in Mao Valley were taken by the Burmese army on May 9. Thousands of people living in the area were forced to leave since the ceasefire was violated by the Burmese army, said news report from SHAN.

However, in a joint statement issued last May 11 between the government and the SSA north, the latter has to fulfill and observe the ceasefire agreement signed last year.

The ceasefire agreement was undertaken and signed by Vice Chairman # 3 of the Union Peacemaking Work Committee (UPWC) U Thein Zaw, and Maj Gen Kherh Tai, Vice Chairman of the Shan State Progress Party / Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) as the SSA North is officially known.

Different ministers of Myanmar and army leaders participated in the meeting that was held in Tangyan. The two parties have agreed and signed on a four point basis.

First is to faithfully observe the agreements reached earlier both at the state and union level. Secondly, to peacefully resolve problems arising from deployment and movement of troops by the two sides. Third is to avoid imposing burden on the populace by unlawful actions. And lastly to immediately meet and resolve in a transparent manner for every problem that give rise to mutual suspicions

President Thein Sein will have his official tour in the United States on the 17th of May. A Thai security officer said that with these agreements on writing, the President wants to be certain that even if he is out of the country, peace and harmony will still be observed in Myanmar, the report said.

Original source: http://www.betweenonline.com/2013/05/13/ssa-naypyitaw-reiterate-ceasefire-after-heavy-clashes-last-week/