A ceremony to mark exchange of arms

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

Subject: A ceremony to mark exchange of arms for peace of Hoya Region held

A ceremony to mark exchange of arms for peace by 
the members led by Commander U Goeri of Kayinni 
National Development Party of Hoya Region held

YANGON, 23 July - A ceremony to mark exchange of arms for peace by the 
members led by Commander U Goeri of Kayinni National Development Party of 
Hoya Region was held at City Hall in Loikaw, Kayah State, this morning, with 
an address by Chairman of Work Committee for Development of Border Areas and 
National Races Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen 
Khin Nyunt.
At 7.15 am, Hoya Region Commander of Kayinni National Development Party took 
positions in Kandara-wady sports ground in Loikaw for attending the ceremony 
to exchange arms for peace.
	
Then, Hoya Region Commander U Goeri and members of Kayinni National 
Development Party marched from the sports ground to the City Hall of Loikaw. 
They were accorded a rousing welcome by service personnel, nurses, teachers 
and students, USDA members, Red Cross and Fire Brigade members, MCWA members, 
members of Kayah State Committee for Women?s Affairs, members of traditional 
cultural troupe and local people along the route.

Hoya Region Commander U Goeri and members of Kayinni National Development 
Party took the places in the City Hall at 8 am. The Secretary-1 delivered an 
address. 
In his concluding address, the Secretary-1 heartily welcomed the Kayaw 
national race group led by U Goeri which returned to the legal fold, saying 
the State will discharge the duty of ensuring firm and secure life for them 
and will enable them to live peacefully in the warm embrace of the 
government. He urged the people to render assistance for the remaining armed 
groups in Kayah State to return to the legal fold. He thanked the peace 
negotiators and urged all to strive for Myanmar to become modern and 
developed soonest.  Commander Brig-Gen Myint Thein then gave a speech.

Brig-Gen Myint Thein said he warmly welcomed the 113 members of Kayinni 
National Development Party led by U Goeri who had exchanged arms for peace 
inviting the remnants of the armed group to follow suit if they have real 
wish to serve the well-being of the regional people.

U Goeri made a speech. He gave a vote of thanks. He said that they had been 
engaged in the armed insurrection for development of their national race 
group and that though time passed, they had not done much for their own 

people except serving the interest of just a small group of people.

Though they had made peace, they became deviated from the course due to 
various intra-party problems, he said and added that they heard that other 
groups, after having made peace, now carry out development project for their 
regions.

He said that due to the results of peace in other regions and encouragement 
by local people and peace negotiators, they decided to return to the legal 
fold.

Fully trusting the State leaders, they have exchanged arms for peace leaving 
their family members in danger, he said and made an ardent request for 
resettlement of their families and implementation of projects for development 
of their region.

He stated that due to difficult access and lack of preparations, there were 
only 113 members and expressed belief that there would be more coming in 
future.
He expressed hope that as their region would develop the rest would follow 
their example, and expressed thanks to the state leaders for giving them a 
hearty warm welcome and made a solemn promise that they would strive their 
utmost joining hands with the government for regional development and 
security.

U Goeri presented arms and his men to Brig-Gen Myint Thein. Brig-Gen Myint 
Thein presented gilts to U Goeri. Secretary-l, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt cordially 
met with U Goeri and peace negotiators.

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