It is the main objective of the ULA to establish a base of the Arakan Army in Rakhine State and they believe that they only can take responsibility to ensure security, peacefulness and development for Rakhine people, Colonel Kyaw Han from the Arakan Army said.

This was his response to the question of a reporter regarding the opening speech of a meeting between NRPC members and representatives from eight ethnic armed groups held in Nay Pyi Taw on Thursday.

“Regarding the opening speech, what I understand is that the Tatmadaw cannot accept the existence of the AA in our Rakhine State. But, the main objective of the ULA is to have a foothold of the AA in Rakhine State for Rakhine people. We believe that only the AA can take responsibility for Rakhine people to be secure, peaceful and developed. That’s why we are doing what we should do,” he said.

Asked if the resolution from the talks could lessen the tension of the ongoing conflict between the AA and the Tatmadaw, he said: “We must say that we can hope that the tension between us will ease up. Because we can now meet and engage in dialogues, we have plans to talk further. So, we must say there is more progress now than in the past.”

He was asked if the AA can continue talking in the future because the Tatmadaw side stated that armed groups have been established in the region.

Our talks must be based on factual situations, if the Tatmawdaw claim plausible denial, peace will not be made. If we want peace, we need to accept the facts,” he said.

Dr. Tin Myo Win, vice chair of the National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NRPC), said in his opening speech to the meeting that Rakhine State was a white zone and an attempt of armed groups to establish themselves in the white zone was a kind of threat to the security of the region, the government was undertaking appropriate security measures.