More Burmese troops pouring in to flush out Wa from drug town

More Burmese troops pouring in to flush out Wa from drug town

At least 7 battalions of Burmese forces in eastern Shan State have arrived in the southern Wa capital of Mongyawn in a move to pressure a recalcitrant Wa faction out of the area, according to border sources.

A source has identified the Burmese units as Infantry Battalions 65 (Mongton), 221 (Mongpyak), 226 (Loimwe), 227 Mongkhark), 277 (Mongton) and Light Infantry Battalions 333 (Monghsat) and 529 (Tachilek).

"These units were already reported to have been in the area for more than a month," said a Thai border watcher. "But more fresh troops showed up on Monday evening (18 February)."

This was in response to the refusal of Wei Hsaitang, dismissed Commander of the United Wa State Army's crack 894th Brigade, to move out from the area as demanded by the Burmese military authorities last month. The mysterious shootout that took place on 10 February resulting in 7 Burmese soldiers killed and 3 wounded was also believed to be an expression of dissatisfaction by his faction.

Wei has long been reported to be at odds with both the high command in Panghsang near the Chinese border that had directed him to return to assume command of the 916th Brigade, and his rival commander, Wei Hsuehkang of Division 171, the discredited drug fugitive from Thailand. (Wei Hsaitang and Wei Hsuehkang, although they bear an identical family name, are not relatives).

An unconfirmed report from a former Wa commander who was lately at the Wa northern capital also says Wei Hsuehkang was elected as a vice chairman at a month-long meeting that began in mid-December.

"There are reasons why he was chosen," said a source from the Border Patrol Police. "For one thing, he is known to be enjoying intimate relations with Gen Khin Nyunt. For another, the Wa are going through a period of financial difficulties. They are in need of Wei's resources to bail them out."

A Shan State Army commander, who knew Wei well, commented, "He is the remote control (device) of the Wa."

Some observers doubt Wei's vice chairmanship could be publicly announced due to his negative political image. "If I were him, I would have chosen Wei Hsuehlong, his elder brother, to take up the office as my front man," he said. "For one thing, Hsuehlong is already in Panghsang. For another, he is less well known."

Whether it was Wei Hsuehlong or Wei Hsuehkang, it was obvious the younger brother had gained sufficient power to oust his rivals in the south including Wei Hsaitang. "All the officers who are being recalled to Panghsang are those who have won the wrath of Wei Hsuehkang," said a Lahu source.

Wei Hsaitang however is still in Mongyawn, according to several sources, for reasons still unexplained, although his replacement, Ta Leu, has been there for weeks.

One Thai businessman who knows Ta Htang, as Wei Hsaitang is known, said: "His removal, I fear, might affect the relations between Wa and the Shan State Army. He had been against Wa troops fighting against the Shans, much to the chagrin of Rangoon. But we don't know what Wei Hsuehkang's stand is regarding the SSA."

"The present trouble with Wa also explains why the expected Burmese offensive against the SSA has yet to get off the ground," according to another border watcher.

Local newspapers have for over a month been reporting Rangoon's military buildup against Shan forces opposite Chiangrai province. The Shan attack on a Burmese outpost on 8 February received an on-the-scene coverage by TV Channel 7.