Aug 21, 2003

Mon cease-fire leaders in Rangoon


New Mon State Party leaders traveled to Rangoon and met with Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt at Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road
New Mon State Party leaders traveled to Rangoon and met with Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt at Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road.
According to the source from the NMSP, the team was led by President Nai Htin, comprised of Vice-President General Htow Mon, Nai Rotsa, Joint Secretary General Nai Chan Toi and other senior leaders.

The ruling military junta’s media reported that Nai Htin expressed his thanks to the junta for their assistance at the funeral service for the late NMSP President Nai Shwe Kyin and; the NMSP would stick to its peace plan and to regional development programs drawn up by the late President.

The border based NMSP liaison office said the meeting was a normal process and that the SPDC was out to seek political support after May 30 (Black Friday) ambush attack on Aung San Suu Kyi and her entourage in upper Burma.
“They also questioned the joint statement released by cease-fire groups that showed their dissatisfaction with the May 30 attack. The rhetoric on how the SPDC’s development for economic and national reconciliation and their war of words over Daw Suu Suu Kyi,” said an NMSP officer who spoke under anonymity.

A retired NMSP leader from Zubbu said the government media usually insults the gathering by writing one-sided stories and adds improper titles to Mon leaders such as “U” in Burmese instead of “Nai” in Mon for respected positions.
The NMSP reached a cease-fire deal with the ruling junta in 1995 after the Thai authorities added on the pressure for them to sign it.