The Burmese military junta’s chief negotiator Lt-Gen Ye Myint’s latest and fourth invitation of the year to meet in Shan State North capital Lashio was again declined by the United Wa State Army (UWSA) leader Bao Youxiang, citing his ill health, said a source close to the leadership this morning.

The invitation on 22 February was carried by an unidentified Chinese official. The new date for the appointment is 26 February. “The Chinese official will accompany to guarantee his safe trip, stay and return,” he said.
Bao (61), who has led the UWSA since his predecessor Zhao Yilai suffered a stroke in 1995, is suffering from trichinosis which has affected his brain.

“No one knows why Gen Myint is refusing to visit Panghsang,” said the source. “He should know we wouldn’t do anything to him even if we wanted to, with the Chinese watching us like a hawk.”

Naypyitaw may be trying to convince Bao that he will not be arrested and kept as a bargaining chip in their dealing with Washington that had indicted him along with seven other Wa leaders in 2005, conceded the source. “But why would they want an ailing man to go and meet a healthy man? Clearly, it should be the other way round.”

The UWSA and Lt-Gen Ye Myint have met several times since the junta proposed the Border Guard Force in April 2009. The Wa have accepted the BGF program on principle but refused to have junta officers running the show at battalion levels. The UWSA has instead counter proposed that junta officers are included in the top decision making levels responsible for training, logistics and health.

Meanwhile, the non-ceasefire Shan State Army (SSA) South, quoting its intelligence reports, says the Burmese Army units in Shan State have been ordered by Lt-Gen Min Aung Hlaing Commander of Shan and Kayah states, to see that their supplies are replenished by the end of the month. “It might mean there will be a major operation next month,” said an SSA commander.