TNLA is Ready to Hold Another Dialogue with RCSS

Network Media Group / BNI Online | March 20, 2018

The Palaung State Liberation Front/Ta’ang National Liberation Army (PSLF/TNLA) said it is ready to hold another dialogue with the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army – South (RCSS/SSA-S) to reduce ongoing military conflicts in the northern Shan State.

“Fighting is breaking out between the ethnic groups. We are not an organization that desires fighting. This isn’t the right way. We will always strive for dialogue. We always accept dialogue. We are always ready for the dialogue. If the RCSS accepts

[the offer] for the dialogue, we are ready,” said Maj Mai Aik Kyaw, information officer of the PSLF/TNLA.

According to Maj Mai Aik Kyaw, the TNLA has sent a letter to the officials of the RCSS/SSA-S to resume the dialogue.

“We sent a letter on the first week of this month. We replied to them that we are ready to hold the dialogue in line with our previous agreement. We are always ready for the dialogue. [The TNLA] hasn’t given us any responses up to today. The dialogue issue isn’t over yet. As I have said earlier, they still haven’t responded yet,” he continued.

The TNLA said it does not want the dialogues to be like previous dialogues and it wants both organizations to involve decision-makers in order to have an outcome and prepare the methods for the dialogue.

Renewed fighting has been breaking out between the RCSS/SSA-S and the TNLA in Namhsan, Hsipaw, Kyaukme, and Namtu townships since March 10, according to Maj Mai Aik Kyaw.

The Shan Herald has been unable to contact the RCSS/SSA-S to inquire about the clashes and the issues on holding the dialogue.

However, the RCSS/SSA-S has recently told the media about its plan to meet with the TNLA in April.

According to the TNLA, the conflict area has been occupied by the RCSS/SSA-S after fighting broke out between the TNLA and the Tatmadaw in January.

“When the local residents come back after going to the town, they have to submit a list of items they have bought such as a piece of soap or a bottle of cooking oil. They are torturing our Ta’ang people using ‘four cuts’ strategy in our area. They are restricting us. That’s why we have to clear them [out] for the interest of our people,” Maj Mai Aik Kyaw explained.

He added that fighting will stop if the RCSS retreats to their military-controlled areas.

Local residents have fled to nearby towns due to the fighting and some of them are still trapped amid the clashes, according to the people who are rescuing the internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Local residents said human rights have been violated due to the clashes.

When the TNLA and the RCSS met for the first time in January, both delegations were unable to set down any decisions on the military and political conflicts and have agreed to continue holding the dialogue.

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This article originally appeared on BNI Online on March 20, 2018.