Mizzima News

New Delhi (Mizzima) – An official of the ethnic rebel group the United Wa State Army has alleged that the Burmese military regime was pressurising the group to transform its army into a militia under the junta's control.

An official of the UWSA, who requested anonymity as he is not authorized to speak to the press, told Mizzima that Lt Gen Ye Myint, Chief of the Military Affairs Security (MAS), in January had pressurised the UWSA to allow the junta to control its armed group and asked it to participate actively in the 2010 election.

Lt Gen Ye Myint, who came with Maj-Gen Kyaw Phyo and Maj-Gen Aung Than Htut to UWSA's headquarters in Pang Sang from January 18 to 19, urged the Wa group to change its army into a militia to be used by the junta as a border security force under its control.

"Ye Myint pressured us to change the leadership of our group and allow it to control our army," said the official. "He wanted the current leadership to retire and to promote young leaders from our group."

But the official said it was not possible for the UWSA to accept the offer and tension has again flared up between them and the Burmese Army.

"We cannot agree to the terms of the offer. We will observe the developments before we decide whether to contest the 2010 election," the official said.

He added that if the Burmese Army continues its pressure, the UWSA might be forced to prepare militarily for self-defence.

Meanwhile, Aung Kyaw Zaw, a Sino-Burmese border based analyst said, "It is impossible for Wa to agree to the junta's demand because they are living like a small country in their own territory for nearly two decades now."

"The main problem is most of the armed groups do not trust the junta, so if they continue pressurising the armed groups there is a likelihood of ceasefire agreements breaking," Aung Kyaw Zaw said.