Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC) Vice-Chairman Thu Wai told Mizzima on December 9 that President Thein Sein will announce the commencement  date for political dialogue on December 16.
“The President will issue his notification on December 16 for the date for beginning of political dialogue and then we will do preparatory work for it and then the political dialogue for peace will begin around Christmas or after Independence Day which falls on January 4,” he said.
UPDJC will send their framework for political dialogue to President not later than December 14.
UPDJC member Khin Maung Swe said that celebration for opening and recognizing this political framework would be held in Nay Pyi Taw on December 16 and on the same day President Thein Sein will announce the date for commencing this dialogue.
The drafting of the political dialogue framework was completed at the Myanmar Peace Centre (MPC) on November 30 and the required finishing touches were made on December 1 and then final copy of this framework was completed on December 2, Thu Wai said.
According to this framework for political dialogue final copy, there will be 150 representatives from the Tatmadaw (Defence Services), government and parliament, 150 representatives from eight ethnic armed organizations which have signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) and 150 representatives from political parties.
Khin Maung Swe further said that an additional 50 representatives from ethnic leaders, intellectuals and non-signatories of the NCA ethnic armed organizations were also included and they would be invited to this dialogue.
The NCA stipulates and guarantees that the framework for political dialogue must be completed within 60 days from the signing of the NCA and this political dialogue must begin within 90 days of the signing of the NCA.