CNF sets up 23-member peace talk committee

The Chin National Front (CNF) set up a peace talk committee comprising 23 party members to discuss stability and peace in Burma with President Thein Sein’s government.

The committee was formed during the fifth Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting between 24 and 31 August.

Pu Za Hlei Thang, Chairman of the Supreme Council of CNF, and Pu Zing Cung, the Secretary General, were selected as leaders of the committee. The other 21 members were selected from the CEC, Central Committee, Supreme Council, and leaders of the Chin National Army.

In a statement after the meeting, CNF said the committee was established to transition the ceasefire agreement to political dialogue with the Central government of Burma.

The CNF statement also said that the party discussed its approach to the second union-level peace talks with the Burmese government, including the venue and ways to invite observers and media personnel.

“A public consultation programme will be conducted with Chin people to make them aware of our work plan and to gather public opinion,” said Salai Thla Hei, Foreign Secretary of CNF.

The meeting addressed the next Ethnic Nationalities Conference, CNF party and army issues, the CNF liaison office, and observations made by the Chin ceasefire committee.

The second union-level peace talks will be held between the CNF and the Burmese government peace talk delegation in October 2012.

The first phase of peace talks was conducted at the state level with the Chin state government and CNF on 6 January, 2012, while union-level peace talks were conducted on 7 May, 2012, in Hakha, the capital of Chin state. Khonumthung news