SAC Vice Chairman Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win meets leaders of religious associations in Loikaw

SAC Vice Chairman Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win meets leaders of religious associations in Loikaw

NAY PYI TAW March 15

Vice Chairman of the StateAdministration Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence  Services Commanderin-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win this morning met with leaders from Catholic Diocese of Loikaw, Baptist Church, Kayah Phu Baptist Church, Loikaw Anglican Church, Jehovah Christian Church, Seventh-Day Adventist Church and Kaehtobo traditional group at the state government office hall in Loikaw.

Also present at the meeting were SAC members Poe Rei Aung Thein and U Khun San Lwin, Kayah State Chief Minister U Zaw Myo Tin, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, Commander of Eastern Command Maj-Gen Hla Moe, deputy ministers, officials and leaders of religious associations.

Speaking on the occasion, the Vice-Senior General said that the government is managing measures in connection with officials of Kayah State for peace and stability and regional development. This meeting aimed to solve the difficulties in religious affairs and social measures in the state.

Peace and stability is of importance in the state. Terrorist groups threatened security of around Loikaw in previous year.

Despite no stable and peace, the state becomes peaceful and stable now. But, some areas far from the urban areas need peace and stability. So, arrangements are being made to take peace and stability as well as security measures.

Although the State Administration Council invites to all for restoring peace and stability and perpetual peace, some armed organizations do not have willingness to cooperate with the government. Tatmadaw has expanded ceasefire for perpetual peace till the end of 2023. The Prime Minister himself invited to all for holding peace talks without pre-restrictions in April 2022. The Prime Minister himself received the armed organizations which came to Nay Pyi Taw. The National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee held meetings with those organizations for the interests of the regions and organizations in a transparent manner.

Although it was regrettable that any ethnic armed organizations from Kayah State did not participate in the peace talks, the government always welcomes them for the talks.

In meeting with the religious organizations, the Vice-Senior General said that only when local people, religious organizations, Tatmadaw and relevant state government join hands in restoring peace and stability for perpetual peace across the nation will the region be stable as quickly as possible.

Leaders of the religious associations Father Aung Nge from Catholic Diocese of Loikaw, Father Edward Sein from Baptist Church, U Thein Rei from Kayah Phu Baptist Church, U Hto Hto Baw from Loikaw Anglican Church, U Silvestre from Jehovah Christian Church, U Thein Htut Win from Seventh-Day Adventist Church and U Mee Rei from Kaehtobo traditional group explained their cooperation in social affairs and gave bless.

In his response, the Vice-Senior General discussed that regional peace and stability is important for internally displaced persons, and local people faced terror acts of armed groups.

People need to cooperate with the government for ensuring peace and stability. Likewise, religious organizations play a key role in peace process. If peaceful and stable regions do not have conflicts, there will be no displaced person. Hence, local people are to cooperate with relevant officials for ensuring peace and stability.

The Vice-Senior General said there is no suspicion for religious organizations’ religious and social measures. But, they all need to do righteousness.

The government encourages their acts with the gratitude and compassion of the Jesus Christ. If they do anything with correct ways and aid, they need to inform relevant departments about their moves. As some scrupulous persons commit unlawful acts based on religions, the government needs to do necessary verification.

Tatmadaw members are following ROE and Geneva Convention. They do their works related to the religious buildings. As armed terrorists take covers behind religious buildings, schools and dispensaries in attacks, Tatmadaw make counterattacks as defending themselves. Hence, the people, religious organizations, state government and Tatmadaw are to join hands in driving off armed terrorists and restoring perpetual peace. All the people need to remember the essence of peace and stability they had enjoyed in the peaceful period and cooperate with the government for restoring peace of Kayah State soonest. Hence, all people in Kayah State are responsible for peace of the state with collaborative efforts and cooperation.

The Vice-Senior General, SAC member Poe Rei Aung Thein and U Khun San Lwin and Lt- Gen Aung Aung from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) presented rice, cooking oil and foodstuffs to leaders of religious organizations and cordially greeted them.