Hsengkeow militia group, one the former sister groups of the SSPP/SSA that transformed itself into junta’s militia force in April 2010, was assigned by Burma Army’s Northeastern Region Commander to meet the SSPP/SSA delegation. The two sides met in Mongkhurh, Hsipaw township in Shan State North last week on 11 April, according to the SSPP/SSA.

At the meeting, the SSPP was asked to pull out all of its troops active in Shan State North’s Hsipaw, Kyaukme, Namhsan and Mongmit township, former territory of the SSPP, otherwise the Burma Army’s attacks would continue, said an SSA colonel.

Clashes between the two sides spread into those areas north of the Mandalay-Lashio highway from areas in Shan State South as the SSPP/SSA troops returned to its former areas, from where they were pressured to move out in 2005.

“If we withdraw all the troops and return to the south, we will be allowed to stay freely as we did previously but we will not be allowed to carry guns or wear our uniforms,” he said. “If we failed to comply with their instructions, they said, they wouldn’t stop fighting us.”

The SSPP has given no response up to date as it is still holding an executive committee meeting and asking the people and its fighters’ opinions whether to pull back its troops, according to the officer.

“Therefore our response will depend on the people. Even so we prefer to solve the political issue by political means instead of force as we are not terrorists. We have not even demanded secession. We are just asking for a federal union that guarantees equality, justice and self-determination.”

A former SSA officer commented that nothing would change even though the SSPP agreed to pull out its troops, because the anti-Naypyitaw Shan State Army (SSA) ‘South’ of Yawd Serk’s troops are already pouring into the areas.

“This demand for the SSA withdrawal is believed to be linked to China’s concern over its oil and gas pipeline route,” he said.

The said areas in Mongmit, Hsipaw and Kyaukme have been surveyed by Chinese firms responsible for the planned construction of the oil and gas pipelines coming from Arakan State.

Up to date, fighting which began on 13 March is still going on in Shan State.

Yesterday alone, clashes were reported in Monghsu Township, Shan State South, killing many Burma Army soldiers and three local villagers and many wounded on both sides, a local villager in Monghsu said.

The Burma Army, during the 11 April talks, had not given any signs that it would also retreat from the strategic Salween crossings it had occupied so far, and had not mentioned giving compensations to thousands of villagers displaced by the offensive. “It means the talks were only for form’s sake,” one SSA officer remarked. “The Burma Army has no intention of making peace.”