Day: October 5, 2009
The Kokang Clashes-What Next? eboanalysis no1kokang
Recent clashes in Shan State between the Burma Army and the Myanmar National Democracy Alliance Army (MNDAA or Kokang) have highlighted differences between the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) and the ethnic ceasefire groups as the 2010 election approaches. Attempts by the SPDC to persuade the ceasefire groups totransform themselves into Border Guard Forces or surrender their arms and contest the forthcoming elections as a political party seem to have failed.
Ostensibly, the SPDC is trying pressure the groups to conform to its 2008 Constitution, which states in Chapter VII Clause 338, Defense Services, that “…all armed forces in the union shall be under the command of the defense services”.
Wa, Mongla deny knowledge of planned meeting with junta
MONDAY, 05 OCTOBER 2009 16:23 HSENG KHIO FAH
The United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the National Democratic Alliance Army-Eastern Shan State (NDAA-ESS) have denied knowledge about current reports that junta authorities were planning to hold another meeting with the groups this month following the ruling military council’s April demand to transform themselves into Border Guard Forces (BGF).
According to a civil servant in Shan State North, the meeting is to be held between 8-12 October.
“The upcoming talks will be the last time for both sides. If the Wa still refuses to accept the government’s demand, another fighting might break out between them,” he told SHAN.
But sources from the UWSA said they were not yet informed about it.
Similarly, Sai Leun led NDAA-ESS, mostly known as Mongla group, is due to meet junta authorities on 10 October, according to a source from the Thai border security.
Likewise, no one from Mongla is aware there is such an arrangement.
On 29 September, the Burmese commander in Mongton was reported to have visited Ta Zong, Commander of the Mongjawd-based 772nd Brigade, opposite Chiangmai’s Chiangdao district.
At the meeting, the commander told Ta Zong that the SSA had agreed to “exchange arms for peace,” a euphemism for surrender.
According to deadline set up by the junta, all ceasefire groups are told to respond about transforming themselves into 326 strong border guard units, commanded by their own officers but supervised by 30 junta officers, by October.
Until June, the Burma Army held several meetings with the UWSA, Mongla and other ceasefire groups, but has so far failed to get any positive response from them.
SSA denies busting up of Army party
MONDAY, 05 OCTOBER 2009 16:15 S.H.A.N.
The non-ceasefire Shan State Army (SSA) “South” said a drunker quarrel during a party thrown by a Burma Army column commander on 1 October ended in a shootout among the party-goers in southern Shan State.
The 50-strong Column #2 from Mongnai-based Infantry Battalion 248, commanded by Maj Zaw Tun, was stopping over at Mongyai, Kehsi township, when the shooting took place, according to a local.
There were about 15 casualties, 5 of them dead and the rest wounded including Zaw Tun. “The Army said afterwards it was the SSA who did it to them,” he said.
“Our units were nowhere near it,” said Col Yawdserk. “The column was only trying to shift the blame to us.” 
The cause of the quarrel was reportedly the discussion, while drinking, on the ongoing Army-led reconstruction of civilian houses destroyed by the Army during the Scorched Earth campaign against the SSA, 27 July – 1 August. “One thing led to another and they ended up shooting each other,” according to the local who has for years been one of SHAN’s main sources.
Another version says the shooting took place in Pang Hpone, Laikha township, near Mongyai of Kehsi township. “The column was moved to Pang Hpone, where IB 9 was based, only after the incident,” SHAN source explained.
The 6-day scorched earth campaign, also known as Four Cuts, meaning cutting off food, funds, intelligence and recruits by local villagers to the resistance, had destroyed more than 500 houses in 11 villages in Mongkeung, Laikha and Kehsi townships, according to a report by Shan Human Rights Foundation and Shan Women’s Action Network. The Army later said it was the SSA and not the Army that had brought about the wreckage.
Junta Talks Of Eliminating Kachin Rebels In Northeast Shan State
Junta Talks Of Eliminating Kachin Rebels In Northeast Shan State
The Burmese military junta seems bent on eliminating the ethnic Kachin rebel brigade in Northeast Shan State if they do not toe the junta’s line. This was stated by a high ranking Burmese Army officer at a public meeting, said local sources.
Lt-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, the chief of the Bureau of Special Operations-2 (BSO) which supervises troops in the Northeast, East and Triangle Regional Military Commands, said this during a public meeting in Hpawng Seng village on September 30, said local participants.
The Burmese military junta seems bent on eliminating the ethnic Kachin rebel brigade in Northeast Shan State if they do not toe the junta’s line. This was stated by a high ranking Burmese Army officer at a public meeting, said local sources.
Lt-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, the chief of the Bureau of Special Operations-2 (BSO) which supervises troops in the Northeast, East and Triangle Regional Military Commands, said this during a public meeting in Hpawng Seng village on September 30, said local participants. Continue reading “Junta Talks Of Eliminating Kachin Rebels In Northeast Shan State”
Commentary:Ostensible verdict against Aung San Suu Kyi
by Tint Swe
Monday, 05 October 2009 13:00
Mizzima News – If a ruling of a court is called a verdict, it has to be called a legal judgment and the judgment has to be made by a judge. So far it seems ostensibly fine with the verdict announced on October 2 in Rangoon. However a judge is not a judge and the law is not law at all in military ruled Burma. A judge has to read out the pre-written decision from higher authorities. The law is what comes out of the mouth of military officers.
When Aung San Suu Kyi’s appeal was rejected, no one was surprised. But the legal team of Daw Suu was disappointed because the legal argument read out by the divisional judge was contrary to the true sense of law. The court accepted the argument of non-existence of the 1974 constitution but referred to the 1975 provision which is based on that nullified 1974 constitution. The township level court’s decision of last month was said to be partly wrong according to the divisional court. But the divisional judge said it was partially right. So the legal system in Burma is partial and prejudiced.
The entire month before the news regarding Burma showed of different tones by allowing Americans to visit and meet two top leaders – one none-other-then the Senior General himself and one the icon of pro-democracy struggle Aung San Suu Kyi. The professional staff of the Congressmen met NLD representatives. The foreign minister was also allowed to visit from New York to Washington, DC and a minister met senior US officials from the State department. All followed by the release of an American intruder who was obviously guilty. Continue reading “Commentary:Ostensible verdict against Aung San Suu Kyi”
Bangladesh sends troops to Burma border
Oct 5, 2009 (DVB)–Bangladesh’s border patrol army has sent troops to its border with Burma after the Burmese government resumed construction of its controversial border fence.
The move comes amid rising tension between the two countries, with a recent flare-up in maritime disputes over the contested Bay of Bengal gas fields.
Burma in April suspended work on the fence following a meeting between the Burmese border security force, Nasaka, and their counterparts in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR).
“Burmese authorities are restarting the fence construction as planned upon re-entering the dry season, after taking a break during the rainy season,” said Khaing Pray Thein, an Burma observer based on the Bangladesh-Burma border.
Some BDR companies were also withdrawn in late February this year after an attempted mutiny occurred.
Following the resumption of building, the BDR reportedly sent three fresh battalions to the border last week. Continue reading “Bangladesh sends troops to Burma border”
Burmese army expands in Karen state
Burmese army expands in Karen state
Oct 5, 2009 (DVB)–Burmese troops have stepped up their presence in southern Karen state, close to an area occupied by a key Burmese ceasefire group, a military analyst on the Thai-Burma border said.
Troop numbers in the area have swelled in recent weeks, according to the analyst speaking on condition of anonymity.
An infantry unit has been deployed near to Payathonsu (also known as Three Pagodas Pass), a major crossing point on the Thai-Burma border, while other units have been replaced.
Reinforcements have also been sent to Bayinnaung Hill near to Payathonsu.
“The positions where the army is expanding its troops are not far from where the New Mon State Party [NMSP] has set up checkpoints,” the analyst said.
He added however that it was unclear whether the reinforcements signified concern over the NMSP.
“The Southeastern [Regional Military Command] has ordered its troops to conduct development projects at their positions,” he said. Continue reading “Burmese army expands in Karen state”
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