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1 [1] (September 8, 2016)

handle is hein.crs/crsmthmansx0001 and id is 1 raw text is: CRS INSIGHT Burma Holds Peace Conference September 8, 2016 (IN10566) Related Author Mich1aelF M atin Michael F. Martin, Specialist in Asian Affairs (mfmartin@crs.loc goY, 7-2199) In what many observers hope could be a step toward ending Burma's six-decade long, low-grade civil war and establishing a process eventually leading to reconciliation and possibly the formation of a democratic federated state, over 1,400 representatives of ethnic political parties, ethnic armed organizations (EAOs), the government in Naypyitaw and its military (Tatmadaw), and other concerned parties attended a peace conference in Naypyitaw, Burma, on August 31 -September 3, 2016. Convened by Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor for the government in Naypyitaw, the conference was called the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference, a reference to a similar event convened by Aung San Suu Kyi's father, General Aung San, in 1947 that led to the creation of the independent state of Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi stated that she had hoped the conference would be an initial gathering of all concerned parties to share views for the future of a post-conflict Burma. Progress at the conference appeared to be hampered by the Tatmadaw's objection to inviting three EAOs to the conference, and two other ethnic organizations downgrading their participation. In addition, differences over protocol matters during the conference were perceived by some EAO representatives as deliberate disrespect on the part of the organizers. Statements presented by Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and representatives of several EAOs, moreover, indicated a serious gap in their visions of a democratic federated state of Burma and the path to achieving that goal. Differing Visions of the Future Most of the conference consisted of representatives of over 70 different organizations presenting their views on how to achieve peace in Burma. Aung San Suu Kvi began th eonference with a speech calling on all parties to work together, with mutual understanding and trust, to seek solutions. nir eneral Min Aung Hlaing reiterated the Tatmadaw's insistence on adherence to its Six-Doint peace policy that require the EAOs to accept the 2008 constitution and disarm their militias. Several EAO representatives rejected the Commander-in-Chiefs speech, and focused on the need to form a federated state in which the ethnic groups coexist as equals. Pre-conference Complications Efforts to organize the conference were dogged by differing views among key players in the peace process on who should attend and what should be discussed. In addition, a few days before the conference was to begin, the Tatmadaw reportedly attacked two of the ethnic militias, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Shan State Army-North