Peace Talks Between the Mon Splinter Groups and SPDC Cancelled

Independent Mon News Agency

February 29, 2004

The HRP (Hongzarwati Restoration Party) president said yesterday that the truce talks with the military regime were almost cancelled because they were to take place in Burmese territory in Kawthaung Township. In accordance with the regime, the talks have now been moved to Rannoong, on Thai territory.

"The regime's delegation postponed the meeting set in Kawthaung Township. We didn't accept their plan," Colonel Pan Nyunt said.

"It is impossible to discuss on Burmese territory. It is possible to discuss in Thailand. If they would like to talk on the Burmese side, we totally disagree," he added again.

Furthermore, "we won't accept it if they force us to sign a ceasefire agreement without tackling the problems in Mon politics and the rights of the Mon people".

The military government officials led by Nai Soe Myint, Thai Defense security and HRP officials met in Bangkok to initiate the peace talks on Feb., 17th.

The fighting within the two groups is still going on and human rights violations have been seriously committed in this area by the military troops.

The military troops, who often launch military operations in the Southern part of Mon state told the HRP to give up their troops or to cooperative with the NMSP (New Mon State Party) last Dec. But the HRP refused to hand over their arms.

The HRP separated from NMSP (New Mon State Party) and is based in the Southern part of Mon state comprising of about 200 troops.