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.
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.
