Myanmar's delicate peace process: four things to know

After almost 70 years of violence, Myanmar's new civilian government is holding a major conference this week aimed at brokering peace with ethnic groups that have fought the state since its birth. Here are four things to know about the talks: - What are the talks about? - Since its 1948 independence from British colonial rule, Myanmar has been locked in simmering warfare with a diverse cast of ethnic rebels fighting for control over their lands. By getting all the main players to the table -- rebel leaders, lawmakers and the top army brass -- Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi hopes to reshape the former military dictatorship as a federal democracy. The conference is also personal for the nobel laureate. Suu Kyi is looking to channel the spirit of a 1947 agreement signed by her independence hero father that granted autonomy to several ethnic minority states. This week's peace summit has been dubbed the '21st Century Panglong' in reference to that deal, which fell apart after Suu Kyi's father was assassinated, but which remains the closest modern Myanmar has come to being a unified state. - Why are they happening now? - Suu Kyi has stressed that peace is vital to the political and economic revival she hopes will take root in a nation pummelled by 50 years of military repression. Many people in conflict zones live in grinding poverty, despite the rich reserves of jade and tin, and huge forests of prized teak wood that cover their lands. Control over these lucrative resources lies at the heart of many of the battles, and could be further complicated as foreign businesses pile into the emerging nation, seeking a slice of the pie. - What are the main roadblocks? - After decades of fighting and tortuous debate, it is still unclear what a federal Myanmar would look like. Several insurgent groups refused to commit to eventual disarmament ahead of the conference, as demanded by the military, while others are still actively locked in combat with state troops. The army's legacy of brutal warfare and repression has left many ethnic minorities wary of the generals, who still control powerful branches of the government and economy. Many fear the Tatmadaw, as the Myanmar army is known, will renege on any deal that hurts its interests. Meanwhile, some powerful rebel militias that run the lawless border regions, have shown little interest in any deal. - What are the wider repercussions? - Ending the fighting would not only be an extraordinary feat for the fledgling democracy, but a significant step towards opening up Myanmar's poor but fast-growing economy. A peace deal could pave the way for foreign players to bring billions of dollars in aid to the conflict zones and provide the basic services now lacking in many areas. Peace would also open up the north of the country to regional behemoth China, which has been pushing several vast energy and infrastructure projects. But this might be a double-edged sword. The concern is that many of these, particularly planned hydroelectric dams in Kachin and Shan states, could devastate local communities and severely damage the environment. Some ethnic minorities also fear their culture and traditions could be further eroded by the mainly ethnic Bamar central authorities.