The United Wa State Army (UWSA), one of the ceasefire groups at loggerheads with the Burma Army over the Border Guard Force (BGF) program, has extended an offer for peace talks with the new government that is expected to be installed early next year, according to local sources.

The announcement was made at UWSA's political wing United Wa State Party (UWSP)'s 5th  district level party congress which is being held in Mongmai, 170 km north of its main base Panghsang. The USDP was formed on 20 December 1988.

The congress fittingly started on 20 December and to be held until 29 December, has some 2,500 participants including Xiao Minliang, vice chairman of the Wa State; Bo Lai Kham, Chairman of the Wa Political Consultative Conference;Bao Youri, Political Commissar of the Wa's southern military region 171; and Ai Lon, deputy Commander in Chief.

"We are ready to send a delegation to talk with the new government on the basis of 'Opposition to War' and 'Work for Peace and Development' principles," he was quoted as saying.

Panghsang is only reiterating its statement on 6 November, a day before the elections, expressing its readiness to resume peace talks with the new government, said a participant.

The two sides have also been reinforcing more troops and weapons, building bunkers, and digging trenches in bases along the front, since the Beijing-mediated talks failed earlier this year.

The UWSA had also set up a new brigade, the 618th, at Manghseng-Nawngkhet area facing Burma Army's strongest base Loi Panglong, a Wa officer said.