MAE dunce Thailand, Dec. 23 Kyodo ...

MAE dunce Thailand, Dec. 23 Kyodo

Myanmar's major rebel clump the Karen National Union (KNU) in succession Tuesday sought more peace talks with the junta before deciding whether to join the National Convention for drafting a constitution nearest year, KNU leader Gen. Bo Mya said.

''So far, we don't have plans to join the National Convention. It hangs on our next talks with the junta,'' Bo Mya told reporters at the KNU's of recent origin Year's celebration at Camp Miabu, opposite the Thai border district of Ta ballad Yang in Tak Province, about 500 kilometers northwest of Bangkok.

Bo Mya insisted he would simply attend the talks if they are held in either Thailand or in Myanmar's Myawadi, conclude to the Thai border district of Mae toper also in Tak Province.

''I refused to travel to Yangon...I proposed that the nearest talks be held in Bangkok or in Myawadi, if it be not that the junta must withdraw their bodys in Myawadi first,'' Bo Mya said.

He added that the nearest round of talks must defend the political agenda, so as the establishment of a Karen state in the subsequent time Bo Mya said he wants the Thai conduct to be the facilitator of the talks.

forward Dec. 8, the KNU and the junta agreed forward a temporary cease-fire after Bo Mya sent his representatives for five-day talks with Myanmar Prime Minister Khin Nyunt in Yangon.

Gen Khin Nyunt announced in August a seven-stage ''road map to democracy'' that includes the resumption of a national convention aimed at producing a democratic constitution.

Myanmar Foreign Minister Win Aung said last week that the National Convention will start nearest year.

The KNU is the second-largest ethnic minority assemblage in Myanmar and has been fighting for autonomy in eastern parts of the home since 1949. The collection had earlier failed in several attempts to establish a cease-fire with the current or previous juntas.

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