New commander wants new deal

Maj-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, Commander of Western Region Command, who had in late May swapped jobs with Khin Zaw, his counterpart in Kengtung-based Triangle Region Command, has ordered all logging activities in eastern Shan State suspended and has invited contractors concerned to a meeting with him, according to logging sources from the border:

"This is nothing but a thinly-veiled hint that he wants a share in the loot," complained a source in Tachilek. "It also means official concession from Rangoon is nothing unless we reach full understanding with him."

Companies currently engaged in Mongton-Monghsat-Mongpiang area, opposite Chiangmai, reportedly includes Central Dragon, Asia World of ex-druglord Law Hsinghan and Hongpang of the United Wa State Army. The firms have won a three-year contract to export teak logs to Yunnan via the Mekong.

All activities have been suspended since 30 June.

Haphazard loggings have also been recorded in the area.

During the month of May, some 120 ethnic Chinese, none of whom spoke either Burmese or Shan, were felling trees that were transported by trucks to the Wa capital of Panghsang on the Chinese border through Nawngkheo, Mong-ngen, Mongkhark and Mongnoong. "Even trees 20 inches in circumference were not left," a village headman in Mongpu tract, Mongpiang township, told S.H.A.N..

Letters of protests were sent to local authorities and at the end of May, the loggers were arrested and sent to Kengtung. "But a representative from Panghsang was already there to pick them up," said a source. "So they got away without being punished."

All sources think the new regional commander is more powerful that his predecessors. "He has his own helicopter for him and his wife, Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, to go anywhere, unlike Khin Zaw," said a Lahu preacher.