Myanmar president calls for efforts to achieve domestic peace

Myanmar President U Thein Sein Tuesday called on all stakeholders to strive for domestic peace as early as possible. Thein Sein made the call in his regular monthly address to the nation aired through state radio. He recalled that despite efforts for peace by Myanmar successive governments in the past, the armed conflicts never ended nor the realization of eternal peace aspired by the people. "The historical lessons teach us that cease-fire is not enough to realize eternal peace. It should apply political means to settle the root cause of the armed conflicts," he pointed out. He noted that since taking office of his term of the government, peace talks were initiated with all ethnic armed groups for attaining genuine national reconciliation and domestic peace. He was encouraged by the assurance of all armed groups that they will never secede from the Union of Myanmar. He specially pointed out that domestic peace could only be achieved by the joint efforts of the government, the parliament, political force, civil organizations, the armed forces and the entire people. He disclosed that arrangements are being made to sign a nationwide cease-fire accord soon which will be followed by the start of political dialogue to settle the root-cause of armed conflicts in the country. In this regard, he said, a political dialogue framework will be coordinated and drawn under which a national-level peace conference will be convened and the process will be presented to the public occasionally. Opening door to and welcoming political dialogue, he said, all- inclusive political process will be introduced for flourishing political culture. He underlined the recent significant peace efforts expressed by gathering for peace by people in some parts of the country -- Yangon, Mandalay, Mawlamyine and Myitgyina on the occasion of the International Day of Peace. Touching on the people-centered administrative reform, he called for drawing and adopting a state budget in the next fiscal year that meets the need of the country and the people in practical. So far since Myanmar President U Thein Sein's peace offer was extended in August 2011, a total of 14 armed groups have respectively signed preliminary peace agreements with the government at state or central level.