Naypyitaw would like to keep both the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) draft and its annexure as they are to be signed by both the government and the armed resistance movements, according to U Aung Min, the government’s chief negotiator who is on a 3-day visit to Chiangmai today.

“If we want to have amendments, let’s discuss them in the next phases (ie. Framework drafting and Political Dialogue),” he responded in reply to query. “Almost 2 months have already gone since 31 March (when the NCA draft was completed). If we have to negotiate again for the amendments, at least 2 more months will be wasted.”

The government reportedly wants to launch the political dialogue, which is the third phase of the agreed peace roadmap, coming after the signing of the NCA and the drafting of the framework for political dialogue (FPD), before the planned elections in November.

“We would therefore look forward to the decisions of the Law Khee Lar Conference (2-6 June, when ethnic armed movements will meet to consider the NCA draft) to see how we can move ahead,” he added.

Earlier, government sources said amendments if there were any, should be made in the annexure but not in the NCA text. Not a few armed resistance movements, after going through the draft, stated that there were some points they wanted amended.