News Collecting On Bgf By Ndf June 09 Eng

P.O. Box – (101), Maesod, Tak. 63110, Tel / Fax (+ 66) 55 531 463, Email: [email protected]. Website: ndf-burma.org

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SPDC military clique’s plan on Ethnic ceasefire groups To transform into border guard force Complied by National Democratic Front – NDF June 22, 2009

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P.O. Box – (101), Maesod, Tak. 63110, Tel / Fax (+ 66) 55 531 463, Email: [email protected]. Website: ndf-burma.org

NDF Statement on Pressure by the Military Clique on CF Groups to Transform into Border Guard Force We, the National Democratic Front (NDF), strongly denounce the SPDC military clique’s pressure on the ethnic ceasefire groups, by various means, to transform them into border guard force. The pressure has been on the ceasefire groups, since the first week of March this year. We earnestly understand and support the current firm stand taken by our fraternal ceasefire groups facing intense political pressure to downsize armed strength and transform their armed forces into border guard force, while there is no guarantee, in any way, for national equality and self-determination for the ethnic nationalities. The armed ethnic nationality forces must continue to retain their arms for national emancipation so long as they do not reach the goal of national equality, the right to decide their own destiny and establishment a genuine federal union, which is the guarantee for life of the ethnic nationalities. For the ethnic armed forces, the SPDC military clique’s wicked plan would be much worse than giving up arms, for it would make them to protect the SPDC military clique’s interests and bloodbath among fellow ethnic nationalities. In conclusion, with this statement we declare our firm NDF position that the SPDC military clique shall be held fully responsible for all the bad consequences of its plan to transform the ethnic ceasefire groups into border guard force and its attempt to implement the plan by various means.

“Victory through Alliance!”

Central Executive Committee National Democratic Front (NDF) June 3, 2009 Media Contact Chairman: (66) 087 207 9296 Gen. Sec.: (66) 086 206 4045 œLiberty

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Tough job for Burma Army to wipe out Wa Monday, 22 June 2009 21:40 Hseng Khio Fah / Shan Herald Agency for News Since the junta’s transforming into border security force proposal was rejected by almost all the ceasefire groups, its military has been in preparation to break the groups militarily, especially the United Wa State Army (UWSA), according to SHAN sources. However, wiping off the United Wa State Army (UWSA) is easier said than done, says a veteran border watcher. “It is not easy for the Burma Army to break the Wa even though they [junta] possess heavy weapons,” he said. “For one thing, the Wa could join hands with the Shan State Army (SSA) ‘South’. Then the war would not be over in a short time.” According to him, there are many reasons why the Burma Army is unlikely to enjoy an easy win over the Wa: • In combat, a Burma Army infantry battalion has only 156 soldiers • More officers than men, for example, the Defense Service Academy (DSA) alone produces 3,000 each year • There are no effective proxies to fight against the Wa in Shan State like the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) against the Karen National Union (KNU) in Karen State • Inadequate food and supplies for its soldiers • Since 1989, the Tatmadaw has become a fundraising force instead of being a fighting force Latest report says two tactical operations commands (TOCs) from Light Infantry Divisions (LID) #66 and 77 both based in Pegu division are due to arrive in July in Mongton and Monghsat townships, opposite Chiangmai province, a local source said. Earlier this month, the Kalaw based LID #55 was reported to be moving to Piangkham, Monghsat township, opposite Chiangmai’s Mae Ai district. But now it is likely to be dispatched to Mongyang and Mongkhark areas surrounding the northern Wa territory on the Sino-Burma border.

Shan State commanders meet Thursday, 18 June 2009 15:47 Hseng Khio Fah / Shan Herald Agency for News The Shan State’s regional commanders were reportedly planning to hold a drug bonfire on UN World anti-drugs Day, June 26, at Kengtung, the capital of Shan State East a few days ago, according to a reliable source close to the junta authorities. The Chairman of Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council and Commander of Northeastern Region Command Maj-Gen Aung Than Htut; Chairman of Shan State œLiberty

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(South) Peace and Development Council and Commander of Eastern Region Command Brig-Gen Ya Pyae; and Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council and Commander of Kengtung-based Triangle Region Command Brig-Gen Kyaw Phyoe were discussing the matter two days ago in Kengtung, he said. A number of reporters are expected to be invited to observe the event. There has been no further information about what was discussed. But some border watchers say the discussion would be not only about drugs, but also how to tackle the current stalemate with the ceasefire groups. A Thai border security official said he had also received the same information. “They [junta] have not invited us yet. Maybe they are sending the invitations directly to Bangkok.” Drugs seized in Tachilek have already be transported to Kengtung for the occasion, said a source in Maesai. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) reported that Burma’s drug output had increased by 3 percent during the 2007-08 season. It has yet to release its report on the 2008-09 season. But sources in Shan State confirmed that the output had gone down mainly because of adverse weather and partly due to destruction campaigns launched by the Army.

KIO in preparation mode, refurbishing armed wing By Solomon, Wednesday, 17 June 2009 22:08 New Delhi (Mizzima) - The ethnic Kachin resistance group – Kachin Independence Organisation is refurbishing its military in what appears to be preparation for an impending war with the Burmese Army. œLiberty

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Sources on the Sino-Burma border area said, the KIO off late has been re-grouping the members of its armed wing - the Kachin Independence Army and is recruiting new members. Awng Wa, Chairman of the Kachin Development Networking Group (KDNG) working in Kachin state told Mizzima that he has witnessed KIA cadres retreating into their forest camps and beefing up security around their areas of control. He said, the KIA is also calling back its old members and recruiting new cadres and is vigorously providing trainings to younger batches. The KIO’s reported preparation comes after the ruling junta in late April proposed to the KIO along with other several ceasefire groups to transform their armies into a ‘Border Guard’ force under the junta’s administration and control. While a few ethnic rebel groups like the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the Kokang group of Myanmar National Democratic Allied Army (MNDAA) have rejected the proposal, the KIO has not come up with an official response to the proposal. Aung Wa, who is also closely watching the KIO and its relationship with the junta, said, “the KIO does not seem to like the proposal of transforming its army and they have already decided to refuse. So, they may be preparing for defence in case of possible future pressure.” Quoting inner sources of the KIO, Aung Wa said, the KIO has decided to reject the junta’s proposal officially in the coming meeting. “They [junta and KIO] are likely to meet before the end of this month for further discussions on the issue,” he added. In late April, the junta proposed to several ceasefire groups to transform their armies into a border guard force, which will have 326 soldiers including 30 Burmese soldiers in each battalion and will be controlled by the junta. The Sino-Burma border based KIO, which has a cease-fire agreement with the Burmese junta since 1994, has been pressurized by the military junta to transform its army. A KIO member, who requested not to be named, said the group, since last year, has been preparing for military attacks by the Burmese Army, as they cannot agree to the junta’s proposal. But a Sino-Burma border based political analyst Aung Kyaw Zaw said, it is unlikely that the junta will launch any kind of military offensive against the rebel groups before the 2010 general election.

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“They [junta] don’t want anything to affect their planned general election. So, they will not attack before it is concluded,” Aung Kyaw Zaw said. But he said, over the last two months, he has noticed the KIO’s preparation and recruitment of new soldiers but there are no signs to indicate there will be any conflict in the near future. “It is possible that the junta will launch military operation after 2010 but it is unlikely before that,” he added. “If there is war, the first thing is that civilians will suffer from the effects of the conflict, so, no one wants fighting,” Awng Wa said.

Showdown in the Wa capital Tuesday, 16 June 2009 16:08 Hseng Khio Fah/ Shan Herald Agency for News More details on the meeting between leaders of the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and Burma’s junta negotiators on the question of transforming the former into a border security force have emerged, according to a reliable source close to the Wa leadership on the Sino-Burma border. The UWSA hotly rejected the junta’s proposal to transform itself into 326 strong units when its leaders and Military Affairs Security (MAS) chief Lt-Gen Ye Myint met on 7 June, at its main base in Panghsang from 14:00-17:00. An unidentified Wa commanders during the meeting rhetorically asked, “How is it so easy for you to break the solemn promises given to us by your former leader General Khin Nyunt?” He compared the Wa situation to the ongoing trial of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi. “You even dare to arrest and imprison the daughter of your national hero and leader General Aung San despite international pressure,” the officer was quoted as saying. “Our future could be even worse than hers as we are not from the same race. No one knows what future is there for us if we give in to your demands.” The Wa leaders also reconfirmed that it could not withdraw its troops along the ThaiBurma border as it had made huge sacrifices not only in terms of lives but also finances. The junta told the Wa last month to become a border security force and to withdraw from three strategic positions, opposite Chiangmai province. The group recalled how the junta military had made promises to them during the war against the Mong Tai Army (MTA) leader Khun Sa, between 1989 and 1996, and Shan State Army (SSA) “South” in 2005. œLiberty

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“You said we would be free to occupy Khun Sa’ areas, if we could remove its troops. We lost tens of thousands of soldiers in order to seize those areas,” the officer was reported as saying, “We had always agreed to your demands in the past. But from now on we can no longer follow your conflicting orders. Lt-Gen Ye Myint responded by saying that the proposal represented the wishes of their Head of State Senior Gen Than Shwe. “We are only messengers. We can’t make decisions.” Since April, the junta military has been pressuring all ceasefire groups across Burma to transform into border guard forces which will be commanded by the ceasefire officers but supervised by the Burma Army officers. So far, a total of 8 out of the 13 existing ceasefire groups have rejected the demand, according to a survey made by SHAN.

Shan ceasefire army putting out feelers Tuesday, 16 June 2009 16:33 S.H.A.N. Taking a cue from its allies, Mongla-based National Democratic Alliance Army-Eastern Shan State (NDAA-ESS) and the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), the Maj-Gen Gaifa Hsipaw-based Shan State Army (SSA) “North” has been conducting public hearings to determine the opinion of its troops and their civilian supporters, according to a source close to the SSA leadership. Following the meeting with Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Naypyitaw’s chief negotiator, on 3 June, when they had asked him to defer the question of transforming itself into a border security force under the command of the Burma Army until after a future civilian government has been formed, the group’s second in command Maj-Gen Gaifa has been holding meetings with the officers and local people’s representatives: 10-11 June 13-14 June

at Wanhai, Kehsi township, base of the First Brigade at Kali, Kunhing township, base of the Seventh Brigade

The majority of the participants was said to have roundly rejected the proposition. “The question whether we should accept or not shouldn’t have been asked in the first place,” an officer was quoted as saying. “We took up the struggle, because our people’s wishes were not fulfilled. We are still resistance fighters as long as the people’s wishes remain unfulfilled, whether or not there is a ceasefire agreement.” Another officer also said they would fight without waiting for orders from the SSA main œLiberty

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base Hsengkeow “when the time comes.” “Clearly, Gaifa’s mission was doomed from the start,” he commented. “The outcome of the hearings has come to no surprise to me.” The junta negotiators also appeared to be playing one group against another, a divideand-rule tactic, he said. “We were surprised when Mongla called us and asked whether it was true that we had agreed to become a border security force, as they had heard it from the junta’s middlemen. We replied that was the same thing we had heard about Mongla, when we met Gen Ye Myint and his delegation.” At least 8 of the existing 13 ceasefire groups have already turned down the Border Guard Force idea, since it was introduced in April. According to a source on the border, Naypyitaw is already drafting a new proposal.

Junta No 2 Expected to Ask China for Border Help By SAW YAN NAING

Friday, June 12, 2009

The Burmese junta’s number 2, Vice Snr-Gen Maung Aye, is to travel to China soon on a visit analysts say will include talks focusing on the regime’s uneasy relationship with ethnic ceasefire groups based along Sino-Burmese border. The visit was announced on Friday in the state-run newspaper The New Light of Myanmar, which said Maung Aye and his wife would travel to China “soon.” Htay Aung, a military researcher with the Network for Democracy and Development based in exile, said that talks between Maung Aye and Chinese government representatives would concentrate on ethnic ceasefire groups who have rejected a regime proposal to be reassigned as border guards. Several ethnic ceasefire groups, including the powerful United Wa State Army, the Kokang group known as the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Kachin Independence Organization, have rejected the proposal. Maung Aye is expected to urge China to use its influence on the ceasefire groups based along the Sino-Burma border to get them to agree the regime’s plan. Analysts say the regime may have no option but to launch military action against ceasefire groups which refuse to reassign their troops as border guards. Military analyst Htay Aung believes that the patience of Burmese military commanders is wearing thin because of the stand by ceasefire groups.

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China is a major supplier of arms to Burma and provides the regime with much-needed political support at a time when it is coming under intense international pressure over the Aung San Suu Kyi trial. Chinese foreign ministry officials voiced rare criticism of the trial at a recent meeting in Hanoi with Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win. China is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and Maung Aye is expected to plead for the continued use of the Chinese veto to block any resolution unfavorable to the Naypyidaw regime. Some Burma watchers believe that China may employ quiet diplomacy to influence regime policy. Maung Aye, who is Burma’s army commander in chief, is likely to convey the regime’s concern about black market deliveries of Chinese arms to Burma’s ethnic groups along the Sino-Burmese border. Aung Kyaw Zaw, a former member of communist party of Burma based on the China border, said Burma usually approaches its big neighbor China whenever facing a crisis. China’s main concern is to maintain stability and it would like to see the Burmese regime and the ceasefire groups negotiate the sensitive issue peacefully. China relies on the cooperation of the ceasefire groups along the Sino-Burmese border in order to operate trade. A proposed gas pipeline will also pass through areas controlled by the Burmese ceasefire groups.

Most ceasefire armies say “No” to junta’s border force proposal Monday, 15 June 2009 16:41 Hseng Khio Fah 8 out of the 17 official ceasefire armies across Burma have reported to have practically replied No on the junta’s proposal that all ceasefire groups must transform themselves into border guard forces, according to sources from exile news agencies. Until 2005, there were 17 armed groups that had concluded ceasefire agreements with Rangoon: Nine in Shan State, two in Kachin State, four in Kayah (Karenni) State, one in Mon State and another one in Karen State. But four of them: Palaung State Liberation Army (PSLA) and Shan State National Army (SSNA) and Shan State Nationalities People Liberation Organization (SNPLO), while the ceasefire with Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) was terminated after 3 months, when the Burma Army pushed into the KNPP’s territory.

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Out of the remaining13 groups, 5 are likely to say “Yes” to the junta’s demand to transform themselves into 326 strong units, commanded by their own officers but supervised by 30 junta officers, when other 8 groups have officially said No or effectively No. According to a Pa-O youth, Khun Hao Myat, that the Pa-O National Organization (PNO) is most likely to answer “Yes” due to the following reasons: • Being isolated and surrounded by Burma Army units • Having made huge investment in businesses • Having close relationship with the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) Similar to the PNO, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) is highly likely to say “Yes”, said Nan Paw Gay, Editor of Karen Information Committee (KIC): • Having supported the “Nargis constitution” last year • Active cooperation with the Burma Army against the Karen National Union (KNU) Another two groups Kayan National Guard (KNG) and Karenni Nationalities People Liberation Front (KNPLF) are also reported to have accepted, according to Kantarrawaddy Time (KT). As for the Kayan New Land Party (KNLP), it was reported to have told the junta authorities, “We would like to remain a ceasefire group.” Even so, groups leaning toward the SPDC would have to consider losing several members to the opposition groups, according to sources.

Junta meet with Mongla inconclusive Wednesday, 10 June 2009 17:44 Hseng Khio Fah/ Shan Herald Agency for News The meeting between the National Democratic Alliance Army-Eastern Shan State (NDAA-ESS) and the junta negotiators yesterday on the transformation proposal ended inconclusively, according to a source close to the NDAA leadership on the Sino-Burma border. Senior NDAA leaders led by Sai Leun aka Lin Mingxian, 63, met with the delegation led by Military Affairs Security (MAS) chief Lt-Gen Ye Myint yesterday at its main base in Mongla, opposite Daluo. Ye Myint was accompanied by Brig Gen Kyaw Phyoe, Commander of Kengtung-based œLiberty

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Triangle Region Command, Mongkhark area commander Nay Lin and another MAS officer from Kengtung, among others. The meeting lasted for 3 hours from 09:00 to 12:00 (Burma Standard Time). During the meeting, Ye Myint informed the NDAA about the rejection by the Kokang and the Wa of its proposal. “They likely did not ask the opinions of their own people,” he was reported as saying. Sai Leun then told the general that the NDAA’s rejection resulted from the public meetings held recently. “The best thing for both sides is to keep things as they are,” Sai Leun was quoted as telling Ye Myint. Ye Myint, on hearing the response from the NDAA, said, “The rise of the ceasefire areas (from hovels into multi story buildings) has been astounding. Don’t you feel sorry to lose them?” He continued, “Our head of state Than Shwe would like to see you as the role model for all [ceasefire groups]. He also promised that if the NDAA accept the offer, the junta leaders would see to it that the agreement is abided by the new government formed after the upcoming elections. The junta delegation departed at about 15:00. On 3 June, the Shan State Army (SSA) North was also reported to have met Ye Myint at the capital of Shan State North, Lashio. But the group declined to disclose any details. However, a source close to its Hseng Keow base told SHAN the group had asked Ye Myint to defer the question until after a new government has emerged. Meanwhile, the Burmese military junta’s third highest ranking general Thura Shwe Mann, the joint chief of staff, is reportedly visiting China, according to Irrawaddy and Radio Free Asia (RFA). He is expected to discuss with Beijing on the current state of affairs in Burma particularly on the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi and the ongoing talks with the ceasefire groups. Some junta officials had already accused China of supporting the Wa, during the Wa traditional festival at Cangyuan on the Chinese side of the border last month, according to a Wa source. “But the Chinese officials brushed off the accusation by saying, ‘We adhere to the policy of non-interference. But since the population of the Wa on the Chinese side is even higher than that on your side, how can we know who’s helping them if you don’t tell us?’”

Another ethnic ceasefire group rejects junta’s overture by Solomon & Myo Gyi

Monday, 08 June 2009 22:27 New Delhi & Ruili (Mizzima) - Another ethnic armed ceasefire group in the north of Burma has rejected the Burmese military junta’s proposal to transform its army into ‘Border Guards’, sources said. œLiberty

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The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), or the Kokang group, in northern Shan State, led by Peng Jiasheng, known as Phong Kyar Shin in Burmese, has told the junta they wish to maintain the status-quo as opposed to accepting the junta’s proposal of morphing into a border patrol unit. “Both the Wa and the Kokang groups have rejected the Burmese Army’s proposal,” the source, who wished to remain unnamed, told Mizzima. The Kokang group reportedly met with the junta’s representative, Lt. Gen Ye Myint, Chief of Military Affairs Security (MAS), on June 5 in Laogai Township and rejected the proposal. Lt. Gen Ye Myint, along with two Ministers, Generals and several other high ranking military officials, recently met the Kokang and Wa groups on June 5 and 6, respectively. Earlier, the United Wa State Army (UWSA), one of Burma’s strongest armed groups, also rejected the proposal. In their continuing bid to persuade the rebel outfits of their plan, the source said Lt. Gen. Ye Myint and his team are again touring northeastern Burma and meeting with the UWSA as well as other groups. Accompanied by Northeast Command Commander Aung Than Htut, Triangle Command Commander Brig. Gen. Kyaw Phyo and Maj. Gen. Maung Maung Ohn from the Ministry of Defense, Lt. Gen. Ye Myint again held talks with UWSA leaders in Panghshang in the morning and evening of June 7 – meeting in the morning with Wa central leaders and in the evening with army cadre officers. The junta’s delegation then left Panghshang on Monday and are reportedly currently at Mongyang, on their way to meet the Wa’s southern ally, the National Democratic Alliance Army-Eastern Shan State (NDAA-ESS), led by Sai Leun, at Mongla on Tuesday. In late April and early May, Lt. Gen. Ye Myint told armed ceasefire groups in Shan State of the junta’s proposal to transform their armies into ‘Border Guards’ and turn over administration to the junta. Similarly, Northern Command Commander Maj.Gen.Soe Win told ceasefire groups in Kachin State of the junta’s proposal. But the proposal has thus far not been well received, with the Wa and Kokang groups already rejecting the offer. The Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO), the largest Kachin rebel group, has not yet responded and is reportedly consulting with the people in addition to conducting an internal debate.

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