Two ceasefire groups, since its acceptance “in principle” of the paramilitary status under the Burmese Army’s supervision, are under pressure to submit their lists of manpower and weapons.

The Shan State Army (SSA) ‘North’’s meeting at the Hsengkeow base in Hsipaw township, Shan State North, held since last week, has postponed conclusion to 18 December from 15 December, as its leaders are still unable to find enough fighters to fill the 900 to 1,000 quota set by junta authorities.

The group has an estimated strength of 4,500.

The National Democratic Alliance Army-Eastern Shan State (NDAA-ESS), based in Mongla, opposite China’s Daluo, meanwhile says, junta officers, since its last meeting with the chief junta negotiator Lt-Gen Ye Myint on 28 October, have already visited four times to demand the full count of its strength and arms. “We are discussing among ourselves whether it should be sufficient to present the total numbers for the present,” said a highly-placed source.

The Burmese Army, on the other hand, has been giving the two groups’ giant ally the United Wa State Army (UWSA) a wide berth. “We have heard nothing from Naypyitaw since our counterproposal (to accept junta officers only at the top level and not at the battalion level) was rejected (late last month),” said a Wa source on the Thai-Burma border. “Maybe they are planning to settle with the SSA and Mongla first before settling with us.”

The SSA ‘North’ covers the Wa’s western flank, while the NDAA its southeastern flank.

“It appears China’s efforts to temper both belligerents with reason aren’t working,” said a businessman who recently returned from the Sino-Burma border.

Lt-Gen Ai Husheng of Chengdu Military Region that oversees Sino-Burma border security paid a six-day visit to Burma, from December 5 to 10. He met three commanders who are responsible for border areas security on the Burmese side:

• Maj-Gen Kyaw Phyoe, Triangle Region Command, 6 December
• Lt-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, Commander of Shan and Kayah states, 7 December
• Maj-Gen Aung Than Tut, Northeastern Region Command, 8 December