The Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met with prominent Kachin Reverend Dr. Hkalam Samson in Mandalay last week following his decision to drop a criminal complaint against the latter who thanked US President Donald Trump for imposing travel restrictions on top Myanmar generals.

Dr. Hkalam Samson, leader of the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC), faced possible arrest and jail time for his comments at the Oval Office last month during a televised meeting between Trump and survivors of religious persecution.But the plaintiff, Lieutenant-Colonel Than Htike, withdrew the case last week after the US State Department expressed concern. Myanmar Now spoke to Rev. Hkalam Samson by telephone about the two-hour meeting between the prominent Christian leader and the military chief.

Myanmar Now: What did Senior General say regarding your meeting with President Trump?

Samson: He said he was following my meeting with Trump. That’s why he instructed to open a case at a court. But finally, he decided to drop the case.He said his decision had nothing to do with any international pressure. It was of his own volition. He decided to do so because he understands that trying to prosecute me [for what I said to Trump] was not a good idea.

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But I explained to Senior General that when I was still in the US, the Vice President’s Office offered to grant me political asylum because they said they were concerned about my safety after my return trip to Myanmar, but I refused to apply for asylum because I love my country and I must go back there. I didn’t intend to stay there for long, or to seek any asylum. What I said [to Trump] was not based on hatred [against the Tatmadaw] but on a goodwill for improvement. Even if I’d have to face a trial, I would be willing to. That is what I explained to him at length.

Myanmar Now: What is your impression on meeting with him? Was it an open, friendly talk?

Samson: We discussed in a very friendly way. Ours was a transparent exchange of hearts; there were no pretenses. I said we need to end the civil war as quickly as possible since it has been running for a very long time. Mainly, the Tatmadaw should be more tolerant and show more restraints. I also pointed out the need for compromise on both sides.

Myanmar Now: Did Senior General send any message to the US and the West through your conversation?

Samson: He didn’t mention any particular message but I told him that the international community and Christian organisations around the world welcomed his move, and that it is a positive sign that the Tatmadaw has finally taken a step of change.

Myanmar Now: What did you two discuss about religious freedom in Myanmar?

Samson: He said he did not have any discrimination based on religion. But I explained to him that there may be different definitions of religious freedom. There were cases of forced grabbing of land owned by [non-Buddhist] religious institutions during the past governments. I don’t mean those cases were perpetrated by the Tatmadaw but they have been happening since the political takeover of the [military] in 1962. What I talked to Trump had to do with such past incidents, I explained to Senior General.

The Commander-in-Chief responded that he noticed incidents of churches being damaged during armed clashes but said he would take strong action if these were deliberate acts by his soldiers.

Myanmar Now: Did you talk about the issue of the IDPs?

Samson: Yes, it was the main topic. I told him that to us, the Kachin, successful repatriation of those in the IDP camps was key to achieve the Senior General’s 2020 peace dream. In order for it to happen, holistic repatriation programs through a bilateral ceasefire agreement would be more effective than selectively allowing people in this and that camp to return home.

Myanmar Now: What plans does the military have for the IDPs to return home? What did you hear?

Samson: He said he wants to see the IDP camps close sooner than later. However, there are many things to do regarding the demobilisation of the troops, which is up to the Tatmadaw. I told him that with the world having acknowledged the big step taken by dropping my court case, the Tatmadaw as the big brother should show more tolerance towards other ethnic armed groups.

I expect good results will come out of the September-17 meeting in Kyaington because the agenda includes ‘demobilisation’. (Government and Tatmadaw delegates will meet with their counterparts from the Kachin, Rakhine, Ta’ang and Kokang armed groups for a ceasefire agreement in Kyaington, eastern Shan State, on September 17.)

Myanmar Now: What did Senior General Min Aung Hlaing say about conditions for peace?

Samson: He reaffirmed the six principles the Tatmadaw upholds but said he is flexible and doors are open for negotiations. He didn’t present any peace plans but I think once the IDPs can return home, it will be another step closer to peace and solving ethnic problems.

Myanmar Now: What is your impression on the military chief based on the conversation with him?

Samson: I reckon that the Tatmadaw is poised to change genuinely now. I can sense that Senior General talked about peace willingly and honestly. Actually, peace cannot be achieved if all the sides only try to prioritise their own demands. All sides must negotiate and compromise. As for us, Kachins, the KIA (Kachin Independence Army) needs to show flexibility when it comes to negotiating the terms. The same goes for other ethnic armed groups. The Tatmadaw, however, should show more flexibility since they are the eldest brother. If they all can do so, our country’s peace dream is very near to come true. But I think both sides are making things difficult by, for instance, delaying in negotiating venues and dates to meet. That is sad.

Myanmar Now: Do you think peace can be achieved by 2020 as promised by Senior General?

Samson: I reassured him that we, the ethnic minorities, do not support the idea of balkanisation. So, if the Senior General and the Tatmadaw are united with the people, and can earn the trust of the people, the 2020 peace goal is nothing impossible.

Myanmar Now: Do you have anything to add?

Samson: Hatred and prejudice are well-rooted in our country. Accusations are made based on stereotyping. Face-to-face dialogues are needed more than ever. In our country, leaders do not know what’s really happening at the bottom. In most cases, those in lower positions do not report ground situations to the top levels as well. What’s more, corruption is also in a critical state – which began during the Revolutionary Council government [the military junta led by Ne Win that overthrew the civilian government in 1962]. If we show compassion, listen to each other with an open heart, and don’t beat around the bush when we discuss, peace is imminent.