Myanmar rebels, government to hold talks in China

Laiza: Myanmar’s government and ethnic Kachin rebels in northern Myanmar say they will hold talks in China this week after some of the worst fighting in the country in years. Officials say the talks will begin on Monday in the Chinese border town of Ruili. [caption id=“attachment_611795” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] A Kachin Independence Army (KIA) soldier uses his mobile phone while another watches as they stand in their newly-dug trench at an outpost five miles away from the town of Laiza, Myanmar. AP[/caption] The meeting comes after the army seized several strategic guerrilla-held hilltops this month in the hills around Laiza, which serves as a headquarters for the rebel movement. The talks were confirmed by a Kachin Independence Army officer and a civilian official working with the government’s negotiation team. The officials declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the subject. Since fighting began in June 2011, the two sides have held at least 10 rounds of talks to try to end the conflict. AP