EU to Reconsider Providing Food Supplies to Kachin IDPs

Network Media Group / BNI Online | February 23, 2018

Three Kachin political parties, which have decided to merge soon, have met with the European Union (EU) delegation yesterday (February 22) to discuss the Kachin State issue and the EU delegation told them that they will consider about resuming aid for the Kachin internally displaced persons (IDPs).

“We discussed everything covering the incidents in the Kachin State, the IDPs, military issues, peace issue, and education, health, and federal constitution issues and future federal observation issues,” said U Gumgrawng Awng Hkam, chair of the Kachin Democratic Party (KDP).

The EU delegation told the Kachin parties that they will reconsider the issues on providing food supplies to Kachin IDPs. They also told them that they want peace in the country and offered to assist in any way they can for peace, according to him.

Leaders of the Kachin Democratic Party (KDP), the Kachin State Democracy Party (KSDP), and the Kachin National Congress (KNC) and the 18-member EU delegation held the meeting for over an hour at Majoi Hall in the Citapu Manau ground in Myitkyina, Kachin State.

The Kachin parties and the EU delegation also discussed the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA).

“They asked us about the NCA. They asked our view on signing the NCA and what we will say to the KIO (Kachin Independence Organization). They asked us whether we plan to urge

[the KIO to sign the NCA],” U Gumgrawng Awng Hkam added.

The Kachin political parties responded that they want the KIO to meet face to face with the government and the Tatmadaw to find solutions for peace.

“As we are only [political] parties, there’s no reason for us to urge [the KIO]. But, we told them that it would be great if the government, the opposition, and the Kachin armed organization can meet and talk at an appropriate time,” he added.

Although Kachin political parties have met with the U.S. Ambassador and the British Ambassador in the past, this is the first time the three parties came together to meet with the EU delegation, according the party leaders.

The EU delegation also met with the Kachin Peace-talk Creation Group (PCG) this morning (February 23), according to U Sam Aung from the PCG.

“We are an advocacy group so the peace process will be our main focus for discussion. Since it’s the peace process, the NCA will be included,” he said.

The EU delegation is visiting the Kachin State from February 21 to 23.

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This article originally appeared on BNI Online on February 23, 2018.