The United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), formed last month, has been embarking on an ambitious plan to set up a Union Army to be made up of armed forces from its 12-member organizations, according to inside sources.

The grouping’s military wing is to be headed by one of its vice presidents. The two vice presidents elected on 16 February are the Kachin Independence Organization’s Gauri Zauseng and Karenni National Progress Party’s Abel Tweed. (The president is Karen National Union’s Mutu Saypo.)

The latter was on Monday elected as Acting President of the KNPP to succeed Hte Bu Peh, who passed away on 27 January.

According to the UNFC constitution, a member organization’s top leader can only be in the political leading body, not being able to devote full time to the duties in the alliance. “It appears they will have to find a new vice president,” remarked Abel Tweed.

The head of the UNFC Defense Department is required to form a central military commission made up of military representatives sent by member organizations.

According to the resolutions reached by the UNFC Central Executive Committee, the alliance would draw up a plan to form the Union Army, as well as its regulations which will include strict observation of international laws governing conduct of war.

The constitution also requires the Union Army to form 4 regional commands:

• The First Military Region    (Northern Burma)
• The Second Military Region    (Eastern Burma)
• The Third Military Region    (Western Burma)
• The Special Military Region    (to be designated later)

The UNFC calls for the emergence of a federal union. The current Burmese regime has been staunchly opposed to federalism, saying it is secession in disguise.