P.O. Box – (101), Maesod, Tak. 63110, Tel / Fax (+ 66) 55 531 463, Email: ndfburma@hotmail.com. Website: ndf-burma.

org

News collecting on

SPDC military clique’s plan on

Ethnic ceasefire groups
To transform into border guard force

Complied by National Democratic Front – NDF

June 22, 2009

œLiberty œEquality œSocial Progress 1

Complied by National Democratic Front- NDF - Mai Bhone Kyaw (GS/NDF)
 P.O. Box – (101), Maesod, Tak. 63110, Tel / Fax (+ 66) 55 531 463, Email: ndfburma@hotmail.com. 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 œEquality œSocial Progress 2

Complied by National Democratic Front- NDF - Mai Bhone Kyaw (GS/NDF)
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 œEquality œSocial Progress 3
Complied by National Democratic Front- NDF - Mai Bhone Kyaw (GS/NDF)
(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 œEquality œSocial Progress 4
Complied by National Democratic Front- NDF - Mai Bhone Kyaw (GS/NDF)
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.

œLiberty œEquality œSocial Progress 5

Complied by National Democratic Front- NDF - Mai Bhone Kyaw (GS/NDF)
“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 Thai-
Burma 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 œEquality œSocial Progress 6

Complied by National Democratic Front- NDF - Mai Bhone Kyaw (GS/NDF)
“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 at Wanhai, Kehsi township, base of the First Brigade

13-14 June 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 œEquality œSocial Progress 7
Complied by National Democratic Front- NDF - Mai Bhone Kyaw (GS/NDF)
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 divide-
and-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.

œLiberty œEquality œSocial Progress 8

Complied by National Democratic Front- NDF - Mai Bhone Kyaw (GS/NDF)
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.

œLiberty œEquality œSocial Progress 9

Complied by National Democratic Front- NDF - Mai Bhone Kyaw (GS/NDF)
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 œEquality œSocial Progress 10

Complied by National Democratic Front- NDF - Mai Bhone Kyaw (GS/NDF)
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 œEquality œSocial Progress 11
Complied by National Democratic Front- NDF - Mai Bhone Kyaw (GS/NDF)
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.

œLiberty œEquality œSocial Progress 12

Complied by National Democratic Front- NDF - Mai Bhone Kyaw (GS/NDF)