Myanmar - Inching Toward a Truce - NYTimes.com The government and ethnic Kachin rebels on Thursday reached a tentative deal to de-escalate fighting and continue a political dialogue. The two sides signed a seven-point agreement in the Kachin state capital, Myitkyina, in an effort to end nearly two years of fighting. The deal appeared to be an incremental step toward a cease-fire rather than a breakthrough. The Kachin insist on a political settlement, not just a cease-fire. Myanmar has faced rebellions from several minority groups seeking autonomy. The Kachin are the only major group not to reach a cease-fire deal with the government.