NDF welcomes mediator role by Thailand to end conflict in Burma

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Asian Tribune - Date : 2003-03-16



The Central executive Committee of the National Democratic Front (NDF) has expressed warm welcome to the Prime Minister of Thailand and his government for the offer to participate in the process of seeking a peaceful solution to the longstanding conflict in Burma as a good neighboring gesture.

In a statement has clearly stated its position on the offer of the Prime Minister of Thailand to play a mediator role between the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) and the armed ethnic groups for the national reconciliation of Burma.



The statement further announced: “The NDF, which is a political alliance and was formed by armed-resistance ethnic groups in 1976, has attempted several times with great efforts in order to solve the problems by political means, but without success. Therefore, the NDF would like to request and encourage to the Prime Minister of Thailand to play mediation and state its willingness to cooperate in such a peaceful process as necessary.”

The full text of the NDF is given below:

(1) It is learned through the Thai newspapers and news agencies after having visited Burma that Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra offered to play mediator between the State Peace and Development Council ( SPDC ) and the armed ethnic groups of Burma.

(2) The NDF warmly welcomes the Prime Minister of Thailand and his government for the offer to participate in the process of seeking a peaceful solution to the longstanding conflict in Burma as a good neighboring gesture.

(3) The NDF, which is a political alliance and was formed by armed-resistance ethnic groups in 1976, has attempted several times with great efforts in order to solve the problems by political means, but without success. Therefore, the NDF would like to request and encourage to the Prime Minister of Thailand to play mediation and state its willingness to cooperate in such a peaceful process as necessary.

(4) However, the NDF believes it is necessary to study and discuss the basic guidelines that the Thai government will employ in these diplomatic negotiations. We also believe that the NDF should be allowed to meet and discuss with the body that will lead negotiations.

(5) Owing to the fate of every ethnic group in Burma depends on achieving real peace and democracy, the NDF welcomes political dialogue leading to the cessation of war and violence in Burma. As the dialogues have been one of the main political objectives of the NDF, this position statement is released in order to work out in accordance with the NDF policy.

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