 "Myanmar ceasefire: US welcomes this 'milestone' agreement")
The US has welcomed the signing of a ceasefire agreement between the Myanmar government and ethnic rebel groups and called on all signatories to adhere to the spirit of the deal to bring an end to the longest-running civil conflict in the world.
The nationwide ceasefire agreement in Myanmar was signed yesterday between eight groups to enable them to begin political dialogue with the government.
Myanmar's military held the country in an iron grip for decades and retains significant political clout, including holding a quarter of parliament's seats.
"We recognise that some groups were not able to sign today, and we understand and respect their concerns. We welcome their commitment to continue discussions within their communities and with the government about the necessary conditions for signing at a future date, and we urge the government to engage constructively in a dialogue with these groups to pursue a more inclusive peace," he said.
Calling on all NCA signatories to adhere to the spirit and letter of the agreement they have signed, Kirby said military action undertaken by or against any signatory or non-signatory to this agreement undermines the trust-building necessary for lasting peace, stability, and security for all.
Noting that dialogue among all parties will be essential to ensuring continued progress toward national trust-building and lasting peace, he urged all parties to continue to engage with each other and civil society representatives in the spirit of unity and compromise, particularly in the process to finalise a political dialogue framework and the conduct of the political dialogue itself.
Expecting all groups that continue to pursue peace through dialogue to be allowed to do so without exception or threat of penalty, Kirby expressed concerned by reports of continued military offensives in Kachin and Shan States and the lack of humanitarian access to many of the more than 100,000 internally displaced persons in those areas.
"The United States will watch closely and support full implementation of all agreements, the NCA, existing bilateral ceasefires, and the political dialogue that follows. We remain committed to the historic process of peace building and national reconciliation in Myanmar in the months and years to come," Kirby said.
The nationwide ceasefire agreement in Myanmar was signed yesterday between eight groups to enable them to begin political dialogue with the government.
Myanmar's military held the country in an iron grip for decades and retains significant political clout, including holding a quarter of parliament's seats.
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Commending all sides for their ongoing efforts to bring an end to the civil conflict in the world, the State Department Spokesperson said the signing of the text of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) by the government and eight ethnic armed groups is a critical first step in a long process of building a sustainable and just peace in Myanmar.
"We recognise that some groups were not able to sign today, and we understand and respect their concerns. We welcome their commitment to continue discussions within their communities and with the government about the necessary conditions for signing at a future date, and we urge the government to engage constructively in a dialogue with these groups to pursue a more inclusive peace," he said.
Calling on all NCA signatories to adhere to the spirit and letter of the agreement they have signed, Kirby said military action undertaken by or against any signatory or non-signatory to this agreement undermines the trust-building necessary for lasting peace, stability, and security for all.
Noting that dialogue among all parties will be essential to ensuring continued progress toward national trust-building and lasting peace, he urged all parties to continue to engage with each other and civil society representatives in the spirit of unity and compromise, particularly in the process to finalise a political dialogue framework and the conduct of the political dialogue itself.
Expecting all groups that continue to pursue peace through dialogue to be allowed to do so without exception or threat of penalty, Kirby expressed concerned by reports of continued military offensives in Kachin and Shan States and the lack of humanitarian access to many of the more than 100,000 internally displaced persons in those areas.
"The United States will watch closely and support full implementation of all agreements, the NCA, existing bilateral ceasefires, and the political dialogue that follows. We remain committed to the historic process of peace building and national reconciliation in Myanmar in the months and years to come," Kirby said.