"Harn Yawngwhe explores the genesis of the national dialogue process in Burma. Peacebuilding in Burma has a daunting agenda to accommodate an array of competing claimants to legitimacy, including the government and the army, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi?s National League for Democracy, political parties, civil society, ethnic entities, and more than 18 ethnic armed groups. A proposed national ceasefire aims to encompass every armed group. An even more ambitious national dialogue process looks to include all stakeholders ? armed groups, political parties and civil society ? not just to resolve armed insurgencies, but to shape a peaceful future for the nation.....Legitimacy is the key challenge for the Burma Army or Tatmadaw, even after 50 years of absolute rule. There is no doubt that it has the coercive power to continue ruling. But no one ? not the ethnic population, not the person in the street, and not even the international community ? sees the military as the legitimate and rightful ruler. The armed struggles that have beset Burma /Myanmar since independence in 1948 have involved multiple armed groups seeking recognition and representation and ongoing demands for political transition of the military regime. Recent reformist moves by the state have raised hopes that there is an opportunity for real change. A proposed nationwide ceasefire aims to bring in all armed groups ? those that have already signed ceasefires and those that have not. A subsequent National Dialogue looks to include all stakeholders ? armed groups, political parties and civil society. The dialogue is not just about resolving armed insurgencies, but about the future of the country..."