Kachin rebels say talks a small step towards peace
Discussions in Chinese border town centred on the establishment of communication channels
Kachin rebels fighting the government in Myanmar's far north said on Tuesday that new peace talks held in China were a limited step towards finding a solution to the bitter conflict.
The two sides discussed ways to establish communication channels, reduce military tension and work towards a surveillance system with the goal of achieving a ceasefire, according to a joint statement.
They agreed to hold another round of talks by the end of this month in the presence of observers and to continue political dialogue, after the one-day meeting in the Chinese border town of Ruili.
Yesterday's meeting was only about preparations for further meetings between the two sides
The rebels were cautious about prospects for a durable peace in Kachin, where tens of thousands of people have been displaced since a 17-year ceasefire between the government and the rebels broke down in June 2011.
"Yesterday's meeting was only about preparations for further meetings between the two sides," Sung Lyut Gam, who headed the delegation from the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO), said yesterday.
"We cannot say exactly how optimistic we are about reaching a proper deal as we don't know what the other side is thinking," he said. "It would be good if this kind of meeting continues in the future."
Chinese officials as well as representatives from the Shan and Karen ethnic minority groups also attended Monday's talks as observers.
