Panghsang, the central headquarters of the United Wa State Army (UWSA) was told to pull out all its bases along the Thai-Burma border again and to also move back all the people to their original area on the Sino-Burma border if the group’s decision is still negative to Nyapyitaw’s border guard force (BGF) proposal, sources from the Thai-Burma border said.
The 10 March deadline has long expired. The latest demand was delivered through the Chinese officials last week, said a source.
Naypyitaw was reported to have offered to return Hopang and Markmang townships to the Wa in exchange for Mongpawk in Mongyang township on the Sino-Burma border and its 171st Military Region in Mongton and Monghsat townships on the Thai-Burma border.
The Wa, nevertheless, responded that it would not withdraw any units neither its 171st nor the Mongpawk base.
The group added that it would stand fast to its 9 point counter proposal until it is considered by Naypyitaw.
The group was said to be prepared to protect itself in the event of a fight.
Mongpawk is adjacent to the Wa ally, the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) better known as Mongla.
A senior Wa official said, “The 171st region was given to us by their top leaders themselves. They [authorities] said if we could seize Khun Sa’s territories, we were free to stay there.”
The UWSA waged a seven-year war against Khun Sa’s Mong Tai Army (MTA), 1989-1996.
Beginning 1999, the Wa started to relocate tens of thousands of former poppy farmers from the northern mountain area to the southern lowland reportedly at the suggestion of Gen Khin Nyunt, then the ruling military council’s Secretary-1.
“It is nonsense to tell us now to return because we have invested billions of Kyat (in several agricultural projects),” the official was quoted as saying.
The 171st Military Region comprises 5 brigades, stretching from Mongton Township to Tachilek township opposite Maehongson, Chiangmai and Chiangrai.
It population, according to Wa supreme leader Bao Youxiang, is 80,000.
The forced relocation of the Wa people from the Chinese border to the Thai border was reported in 2002 by the Lahu National Development Organization (LNDO).
