Myanmar's government has made a priority of the peace process with ethnic armed groups since President Thein Sein came to power in early 2011. Peace, a political settlement and a nationwide reconciliation with all ethnic armed organizations are essential preconditions for Myanmar's future development.

The government has tried its utmost to accommodate the demands of various groups -- painstakingly and patiently engaging in innumerable rounds of talks aimed at reaching a nationwide cease-fire agreement. In the past few months, however, pragmatism has begun to supersede patience.