BANGKOK, Dec 11 Kyodo The Myanmar...

BANGKOK, Dec 11 Kyodo

The Myanmar junta and the rebel Karen National Union (KNU) have verbally agreed in succession a temporary cease-fire, KNU leader Gen Bo Mya said Thursday.

The couple sides reached the accord in five days of talks from Dec 3 in Yangon, Bo Mya said. The talks were held between five KNU representatives to Yangon and Prime Minister Khin Nyunt

''The talks were held in beneficial atmosphere. We understood each other well and we as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but have verbally agreed on a temporary cease-fire,'' Bo Mya told Kyodo News

Bo Mya said the cease-fire took meaning Monday and if both sides agree upon an official cease-fire accord in the nearest rounds of talks, the KNU would cast representatives to join the National Convention for drafting a constitution, which is awaited to start early next year.

''Although we have agreed onward a temporary cease-fire, we should have more talks, which must conceal the political agenda,'' he said.

The KNU also wants to impel representatives to an international forum in Bangkok in succession Monday. The forum hosted from Thailand is expected to give the Myanmar sway an opportunity to explain its plan for national reconciliation and transition to democracy.

''We have talked to Thai officials about attending the forum unless still got no answer thus far,'' Bo Mya said.

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. He gave no specific dates for the process

The KNU is the second-largest ethnic minority collection and has been fighting for autonomy in eastern part of the political division since 1949. The collection had earlier failed in several attempts to establish a cease-fire with the not away or previous juntas.

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