Shan Faction Urges All Ethnic Armies To Integrate

by Nay Thwin
Tuesday, 12 February 2008 00:00

Chiang Mai- The Shan State Army (South) has urged all ethnic armies fighting against Burma's military junta to unite.

"We can achieve our desired ethnic rights only when we emerge as a unified force under one command and one voice. It's time to be united and so our Chairman has called for unity and solidarity", Sai Lao Sai, a spokesperson for SSA(S) told Mizzima.

The call for unity and solidarity follows an announcement by the junta of a referendum on a newly drafted constitution, which many observers say will guarantee the supremacy of the armed forces in government.

Khun Thurein, the general secretary of an armed Pa-O group which withdrew from a ceasefire agreement with the junta last year, welcomed the call made by the SSA(S).

"Our armed resistance is scattered and not in harmony. Sporadic and scattered movements make our revolution ineffective and don't achieve success. We welcome a proposed united front under one command and one voice, with unity and solidarity", Khun Thurein said.

However he added that equal rights and authority is essential for unity among ethnic armed forces.

"We hope we can regroup and reunite if the current situation changes to some extent. If the junta pushes all of us to abide by the results of the National Convention, the unity and integration of all ethnic armed forces would be sped up", Khun Thurein added.

The strength of the SSA(S) is estimated at over 5,000 personnel.

According to military sources there are also attempts at cooperation between the SSA(S) and United Wa State Army (UWSA), which in the past fought fierce battles.

The two sides have achieved more understanding between them since 2006, Sai Lao Sai confirmed.

Analysts estimate the strength of the UWSA to be at least 25,000 armed troops. The UWSA reached a ceasefire agreement with the junta in 1989.

Since the junta began pressuring the UWSA in 2006 to surrender and demand they withdraw from the Thai-Burma border to the Sino-Burma border, relations between the two Shan State armies has improved, analysts say.

Last year the junta hinted they would attack the UWSA, before eventually backing down. "I think the junta now sees the SSA as their number one enemy rather than the Wa", Khun Sai, editor of the Shan Herald Agency for News, confided to Mizzima.
The junta issued two announcements on the 9th of this month, setting the timeframe for a referendum on a newly drafted constitution in May and for fresh elections to be held in 2010.

The junta has been increasing pressure on ceasefire ethnic armed groups, spawning speculation that the junta intends to disband and disarm all such groups after approval of the new constitution in the forthcoming referendum.