News Brief On Wa

News Brief On Wa

Burmese troops draw rations from Wa

Since the Wa entry into areas west of Mongton-BP1 road in June, only one battalion- IB 225 commanded by Ltc. Chit Hla - remains in the Mongtaw-Monghta area, once warlord Khun Sa's stronghold. And not more than 10 soldiers are stationed at each post in Mongkyawt, Mongtaw and Monghta.

Meanwhile, the United Wa State Army units are filling the vacuum in Nakawngmu, Mongkyawt, Kiu Hulom and Loihtwe, the strategic mountain overlooking Thailand.

Many sources agree that several Burmese outposts from Mongpiang to Monghsat, Monghsat to Tachilek, and Nakawngmu to Mongkyawt are drawing rations from the UWSA.

Also reported, however, were some instances revealing Wa exasperation with the rather preposterous situation. One of them occurred on 25 July at Mongkyawt when the Wa unit stationed there was butchering a cow bought from the villagers. The unidentified Burmese officer, upon hearing the news, sent his men to receive their share of the meat. Whereupon the Wa commander, also unidentified, was reported to have said: "You are government troops and should do better than just expecting to be waited on hand and foot."

The soldiers went back empty-handed. 

Chinese being Favored over Wa?

Travelers coming through Nakawngmu, roughly halfway between Mongton and BP1, say most of the Wa officers, captain upwards, are either Chinese or Chinese speaking Was.

During their stopovers in Nakawngmu, it is not unusual to see privates, aged between 14 and 15, washing the 4-wheel trucks with the number-plates beginning with SW - an unmistakable warning to ambitious checkpoints on the road that they are not to be stopped or searched- while their officers celebrate with food and drinks.

"All Wa vehicles we see here are Tigers (Tiger Toyotas) and Fords 4x4 imported from Thailand," says one source. "Each battalion appear to be outfitted with at least 14-15 offroaders." 

Nakawmgmu getting bigger

Nakawngmu, once an unknown village, is getting notorious for its drugmarket and,as a result, is getting bigger especially after the Wa influx. There are more than 50-60 Karaoke pubs plus 2-3 massage parlors.

Land, fields and gardens are being confiscated at will by the Was, who have set up a new sub-village of their own in the northern part. "Every house there has a satellite dish and electricity generator," say the sources.

They do not know whether owners who lost their lands were paid damages but some homes in Hsaikhao, Monghsat Township, are being paid K. 20,000 to be vacated.

"We've already bought the whole territory from Gen Khin Nyunt," one Wa officer was reported to have said. 

Wa Angry with Gen Maung Aye?

After warlord Khun Sa surrendered in 1996, the UWSA was reportedly ordered by Gen Maung Aye to move back to their original territory near the Chinese border in the north. 

"The Bumese wanted us to stay when Khun Sa was here, and now that Khun Sa is no more a threat, they want us to return," said a Wa commander. "We will not succumb to their demand. We will never retreat. There will be only advance until the whole territory this side of the Salween is ours." 

It is speculated that Rangoon, having failed in their plan to remove the Was, are using them as cannon fodders against Yawdserk and Thailand.

"They had tried to use Kokangs against the SSA before," said a retired MTA officer, "but it did not work out the way they wanted."