Statement on the Burmese Government’s Postponement of the Third Round of Negotiations with the Karen National Union

By Karen National Union • August 27, 2012

The Karen National Union (KNU) announces that the Government of Burma has unilaterally postponed the third round of ceasefire negotiations between the Parties, previously scheduled for August 27th to 29th in the City of Pa’an in Karen State. The Government’s representatives confirmed the postponement verbally. The Karen National Union is disappointed that the negotiations will not take place as previously scheduled and will work with the Government in good faith to move forward with talks as soon as possible.

The Parties had agreed to the negotiation dates during a preliminary meeting on August 5th. The Parties had planned to discuss a Code of Conduct and troop withdrawals, as agreed by both parties during the union level negotiations held at Sedona Hotel in Rangoon on April 6, 2012.

The Karen National Union considers each step in the ceasefire negotiation process to be an opportunity to build trust between the parties. Such trust is essential to implement any ceasefire agreement.

The Karen National Union believes that the successful implementation of the ceasefire will further depend on the willingness and good faith of both parties. Therefore the Karen National Union calls upon the Government to move forward with the negotiations in a way that will build confidence and trust between the parties.

Contact: Naw May-Oo Mutraw (085) 248 3013. Email: [email protected]