"RANGOON — The Burmese government?s hopes of finalizing a nationwide ceasefire agreement before this year?s election appear to have shrunk considerably, after this month?s ethnic summit in Law Khee Lar voted to cede negotiating power to a new ?hardline” committee. From the perspective of government peace negotiators, two problems have arisen from the Law Khee Lar summit, which concluded at the beginning of last week. First, ethnic leaders have refused to endorse the draft ceasefire text, demanding fresh negotiations over 15 amendments. Second, the new negotiating committee, which will assume the responsibilities of the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT), is comprised of people likely to be much less receptive to government overtures..."