Myanmar signs ceasefire with Karen rebels

[News_Editor]

Myanmar signs ceasefire with Karen rebels

2012-01-13 07:38:37 GMT+7 (ICT)

HPAAN, MYANMAR (BNO NEWS) -- The government of Myanmar (Burma) on Thursday signed a cease-fire agreement with Karen rebels in Hpaan, the capital of the eastern Karen state, a Burmese news organization in exile reported.

Under the agreement, both sides will cease fighting, effectively ending the country's longest-running civil war. However, in the past, the Karen National Union (KNU) has signed six cease-fire agreements with the government, all of which have been broken.

Both sides also agreed to have closer communication to prevent armed clashes and to work together in coordinating how government funds and programs will be established in the state. The KNU will also open liaison offices in designated cities.

The peace talks were led by Minister Aung Min, who has concluded several other cease-fires recently, and General Mutu Saipo of the KNU. Many delegates said there was a new atmosphere between the negotiators, but others said the cease-fire would depend on how future events unfold, according to Mizzima News.

The Karen civil war has been ongoing for more than six decades, forcing generations of Karen to flee to the jungle in fear of their lives. More than 100,000 Karen now live in refugee camps on the Thai-Burmese border, and tens of thousands have moved to third countries through the help of international resettlement programs.

Thursday's cease-fire agreement may reduce some of the pressure on meeting the humanitarian needs of Karen refugees. International governments have been demanding unfettered access to the area before sanctions that have been imposed on Myanmar can be lifted.

Since the internal conflict began in 1948, an estimated 500,000 people have been killed.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-01-13