TNLA and Interim Government Meet and Sign Record of Discussions on Building Together Without Seceding from the Union

AYEYARWADDY TIMES July 21 The National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) of the Interim Government and the Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF/TNLA) officially met in Naypyidaw on July 19 and signed a record of discussions. During the meeting, the PSLF/TNLA side stated that their goal is "for the Ta'ang region to gain administrative rights equal to other states under the constitution, and to build together without completely seceding from the Union." Furthermore, they agreed to cooperate with the Interim Government President and the NSPNC's 100-day peace efforts program. During the discussions, the TNLA side requested that their controlled areas be officially recognized as "Ta'ang State," but the Interim Government side responded that the Palaung Self-Administered Division had already been granted and that the request for statehood would have to be pursued through parliament. Regarding this situation, CDM (Civil Disobedience Movement) Major Zin Yaw stated that although the military side's response appears to be from a position of superiority, they are in a situation where they must comply with the TNLA's demands due to having lost the war. "Although the military's response on paper appears to be firm, they are in a position where they will have to comply with all of TNLA's demands. TNLA won the war, and the military lost, so it is a situation where they are demanding the wishes of the victors, and on paper, it is written to look good," CDM Major Zin Yaw told the Ayeyarwaddy Times. Additionally, they agreed to cooperate on matters such as respecting the Hygin Agreement and the ceasefire, handover issues in Namkhan and Muiw, stabilizing the China-Myanmar border, ensuring the security and smooth flow of trade routes, and combating gambling and drug trafficking. This meeting was not a final political agreement, but rather a "record of discussions" on future cooperation, signed by representatives from both sides. "The reason TNLA accepted this written record is believed to be that by the time of the second meeting in Namhsan, the military side will be in a position to prepare through parliament to grant what they desire," said CDM Major Zin Yaw. The record of this meeting was signed by NSPNC Secretary Lieutenant General Myint Naing and PSLF/TNLA Vice-Chairman (1) Taa Jote Jaa, and the Interim Government side proposed holding the second meeting in Namhsan city. Photo: Interim Government