Kayin ethnic armed group signs peace agreement with Myanmar gov't

YANGON, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- A Kayin ethnic armed group -- the Kaloh Htoo Baw armed group, has signed a six-point peace agreement with the Myanmar central government in Hpa-an, southeastern Kayin state, state radio and TV reported Monday night.

The signing came after the first coordination talks at the central-level held on Sunday noon, represented by a government delegation, led by U Aung Thaung, and the Kaloh Htoo Baw armed group delegation, headed by U Saw Lar Pwe.

The Kaloh Htoo Baw armed group was the former Democratic Kayin Buddhist Army (DKBA).

The six-point peace agreement covers honoring of Nov. 3's preliminary talks at the state level, non-split of Kayin state from the Union of Myanmar, settlement of the Kaloh Htoo Baw armed group members at the environs of Sonseemyaing, joint combating of narcotic drugs and continued talks for eternal peace.

In response to the peace offer by President U Thein Sein on Aug. 18, two armed groups based in Wa Special Region-2 and Mongla Special Region-4 had first initiated peace agreements with the central government respectively in early October.

On Nov. 29, the ethnic Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) also initiated peace talks with the central government in Ruili, a Chinese border town in southwest China's Ruili linking Myanmar's Muse.

On Dec. 3, the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) of the Shan State Army-South (SSA-South) initiated a ceasefire agreement with the Shan state local government for further talks with the central government.