'Progress' in Burma rebel talks

Bo Mya met twice with Burmese PM Khin Nyunt

Burma's Karen rebels and the military government appear to have made progress towards ending one of the world's longest-running conflicts.

A spokesman for the Karen National Union told the BBC that the two sides had agreed an informal ceasefire, but that further talks were needed.

The spokesman said both sides had agreed to report infringements and any remedial actions.

Burma's government has not yet commented on the developments, which follows a visit to the capital Rangoon by one of the KNU's most senior figures, General Bo Mya.

General Bo Mya met with Burma's Prime Minister Khin Nyunt twice during his stay. Contrary to earlier reports, he did not meet with Burma's senior General Than Shwe.

Analysis: Peace talks progress

"The first round of talks was very fruitful," David Taw, foreign secretary of the KNU, said on arriving from the talks in Thailand.

Mr Taw said the next round of talks was scheduled within a month.

The Karen are one of a handful of rebel groups still fighting the government. Ceasefire agreements have already been reached with 17 other armed groups since 1989.

The latest talks were aimed at formalising a ceasefire which was loosely agreed by the two sides in December, but which continuing reports of fighting suggest is not yet being observed.

Major offensives against the KNU in the mid-1990s greatly reduced their power and they have waged a low-level war from jungle hideouts strung out along the border.

Before leaving for Rangoon, Bo Mya described a ceasefire as a possible first step towards settling broader political problems for his people.

But the KNU has so far refused to attend a national constitutional convention proposed by the government as a first step in a "road map" to democracy.

The inclusion of the ethnic groups is key to the credibility of the convention, which the junta hopes will help dampen international criticism over its failure to carry out reforms.

But many see it as a stalling tactic and as an attempt to isolate the main opposition party, Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, which has not been invited to attend.