Transform to peoples militia or face action; junta to SSA

Tuesday, 09 February 2010 21:40 Myo Gyi

Ruili (Mizzima) – In a major development the Burmese military junta has delivered an ultimatum to the Shan State Army (SSA) on February 6 to either respond to the Border Guard Force (BGF) issue by the end of this month or face military action, an observer said.

A junta delegation led by Military Affairs Security (MAS) Chief Lt. Gen. Ye Myint met a SSA delegation in Lashio, northern Shan State and made this observation, Sino-Burma border based military observer Aung Kyaw Zaw told Mizzima.

"The Shan delegation met Bo Ye Myint in Lashio on February 6. The Shan delegation was led by Chairman Lwe Maung and Vice Chairman Kai Hpa. The discussion on transforming Shan forces to a People's Militia failed. Using strong words Bo Ye Myint asked them to accept the junta's proposal by the end of February or face military action,” he said.

After being told by the regime to convert their forces into the People's Militia, SSA Commanding Officers (CO) met in December last year. But there was no outcome. The Wan Haing based 1st Brigade and other battalions and units did not accept the proposal, a local resident close to SSA said.

The SSA told the junta about its own proposal to form a People's Militia with 300 personnel but the junta turned it down.

During discussions for a ceasefire agreement with the junta in September 1989, SSA leader Gen. Hsay Htin agreed with the regime to discuss political issues with a future government only.

The SSA headquarter is based in Hsipaw Township in northern Shan State.

The military regime charged SSA Gen. Hsay Htin with many cases including high treason and sentenced him to 106-years in prison in November 2005.