Armed forces have goodwill towards ethnic groups, commander-in-chief says
Myanmar's armed forces, known as the Tatmadaw, are working closely with the government in an effort to make the peace process a success, the commander-in-chief of Defence Services said.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing made the comment on Friday at the graduation ceremony for Intake-15 of the Defence Services Medical Academy.
"In building Myanmar into a modern developed nation, nationwide genuine peace and national consolidation are essential and giant tasks. The government is placing its emphasis on the nationwide eternal peace process, while the Tatmadaw is providing full cooperation with the government for the realisation of the peace process," the senior general said.
The commander-in-chief added that he believed the genuine goodwill of the state and the Tatmadaw towards ethnic groups would help to make the peace process a success. Once that process becomes established nationwide, he said, increased emphasis can be placed on the development of all aspects of the country.
The commander-in-chief urged the cadets to participate in healthcare services, poverty reduction and socio-economic development in regions where they will be posted. A brotherly attitude towards ethnic groups, and national consolidation and development efforts, can all be pursued at once, he said.
The cadets must abide by the military code of conduct, and the rules, regulations and laws laid down by the Tatmadaw, said the senior general. The government has already reached ceasefire agreements with 14 ethnic armed groups. Only two have yet to reach an agreement. Although the government says that ceasefire conditions are in place, skirmishes between the government and ethnic armed groups continue to occur.
The Union Peacemaking Work Committee is making strenuous efforts to reach a nationwide ceasefire. The ethnic armed groups have demanded that President Thein Sein, Union Assembly Speaker Thura Shwe Mann, as well as the commander-in-chief participate in the signing of the nationwide ceasefire agreement.