Wa, Mongla meet junta
WEDNESDAY, 28 OCTOBER 2009 14:51 HSENG KHIO FAH
National Democratic Alliance Army-Eastern Shan State (NDAA-ESS), commonly known as Mongla group, is meeting with junta commanders today, according to reliable sources from the Thai-Burma border.
A 21 men delegation led by its leader Sai Leun have left Mongla to meet junta chief negotiator Lt-Gen Ye Myint of Military Affairs Security (MAS) in Kengtung today over the junta’s “one country, one military” policy, said an informed source.
Mongla is reported to have agreed on the concept that there should be only one military in a country. It is also ready to place its 4,500 strong armed force under the Tatmadaw on a step-by-step basis.
“Initially, the command structure of the Mongla force should remain as it is,” said the source. “Naypyidaw should also not be in a hurry to place its officers at the battalion level and its administrative apparatus in Mongla as yet.” 
Similarly, a 5 Wa men delegation made a 5 day trip (24-28 October) to Lashio, northern Shan State, following an invitation by the Commander of the Lashio-based Northeastern Region Command Maj-Gen Aung Than Tut on 21 October, according to a Wa source on the Thai-Burma border.
Four of the Wa delegates were identified as Bao Youri, Bao Youliang, Li Julieh (U Aung Myint) and Yaku.
In response to Aung Than Tut’s inquiry as to their stand on the proposed BGF program, the Wa reportedly replied it has “yet to make any decisions.”
All ceasefire groups have been given the deadline at the end of October to accept its BGF program.
The obvious thaw in the relations have been attributed not only to the efforts by China but also to reports of the two groups’ growing intimacy with the anti-Naypyidaw Shan State Army (SSA) South of Col Yawdserk, according to a veteran Thai border watcher.
“The junta is afraid it is pushing the groups too far by its inflexibility,” he said.
http://www.shanland.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2792:wa-mongla-meet-junta&catid=85:politics&Itemid=266
