Open Letter for Peace Proponents

NAY PYI TAW, 8 Aug-Pyithu Hluttaw Representatives U Hsaung Si, U Saw Nay Kaw Gyi,U Khun Maung Thaung, U Ngun Moung, U Saw Thein Aung, U Mahn Maung Maung Nyan, Dr Than Win, U Sai Thiha Kyaw, Daw Mi Yin Chan, Daw Nan Wah Nu, Daw Dwe Bu, Daw Nan Nwan, Daw Khin Saw Wai, Daw Mi Myint Than, U Thurein Zaw, U Win Sein, U T Khun Myat, U Maung Toe, U Hla Myint Oo, U Than Myint and Amyotha Hluttaw Representatives U Za Khun Ting Ring, U Nay Win Tun and U Mahn Aung Tin Myint, totaling 23 signed and released an open letter for peace proponents dated 8 August 2011 with the name of People's Representatives, National Races Representatives. The translation of the open letter is as follow:

Open Letter

To Peace Proponents

Date: 8 August 2011

Truly, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar is a country formed with various nationalities since yore. As you know, national brethren of the country had to face the abject miseries resulting from multiple internal armed conflicts that broke out soon after our country regained independence. Actually, the prolonged armed conflicts are one of the many factors that made our country lagged behind in development. The past successive governments had applied various means in their endeavors to restore peace.

Evidently, the current government of President U Thein Sein leaves no stone unturned in its endeavours in seeking ways to restore peace through negotiations with local authorities and ethnic leaders region-wise or organization-wise. We acknowledge the endeavours of President U Thein Sein government and also thank the government.

In fact, every one needs to know the truth behind the emergence of the armed struggle line of the groups at odds, their means to exist throughout the successive eras, and their goals. There will be correct action only if there is correct conviction and vision, a product of right knowledge.

Well, we all should have the correct knowledge of the failure of the peace programmes the past successive governments had launched. In building internal peace, the government and people take a firm stand on Our Three Main National Causes - non-disintegration of Union; non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty. In certain cases, peace negotiations collapsed due to extreme doubts, fanaticism, outside influences, broken promises and terrorist acts. However, you see, armed groups embracing a genuine goodwill to serve national, regional and public interest have already achieved peace.

At 1730 hours on 2 August 2011, innocent service personnel and people died in KIA gunfire. We are totally heartrending and shocked to hear this horrible killing of innocent persons who were returning home from Tarpain hydropower plant in Momauk Township, Bhamo District, Kachin State. The act in fact is a menace to peace process.

However, the government on its part continues to work in the interest of the people and peace with great benevolence. We, the people's representatives and national races representatives fully welcome and support the government's peace endeavour. We hereby make a serious request to every one who really wants peace to work with goodwill efforts in view of the interest of the entire Union and to stay away from acts that may break up the Union.

People's Representatives,
National Races Representatives

(Source: the New Light of Myanmar 9-8-2011)