Myanmar Karen Rebels Want Troops to Withdraw Before Talks

Myanmar’s largest armed rebel group called for President Thein Sein to withdraw troops near areas it controls and cease military operations against ethnic minorities before it begins talks on a lasting peace.

The Karen National Union, which signed a preliminary ceasefire with the government last month, also wants Karen political prisoners released before engaging in political dialogue, the group said in a statement today. These “concrete measures” are a prerequisite for negotiations, it said.