Consent to transform itself into a Burma Army run home guard force would speed up the release of Maj Gen Hso Ten, the ceasefire Shan State Army (SSA) ‘North’ was advised by junta negotiators, according to sources close to the SSA leadership.
The message was conveyed to major generals Loimao and Gaifa, currently leader and deputy leader of the group, by Lt-Gen Ye Myint on 14 November.
“That’s a king’s ransom,” quipped a source on the Sino-Burma border.
The group had informed Ye Myint only about 200 officers and men had agreed to the proposed change of status. The remainder of the group had refused to sign up, particularly the 1st Brigade, which, with more than 2,500 armed fighters, is reputedly the strongest among the SSA’s 3 brigades (1st, 3rd and 7th), whose estimated total strength is 4,500-5,000. (The Burma Army’s estimate, according to a confidential document that came out early in the year is 1,411 not including the 7th Brigade.)
Hso Ten, 74, is highly regarded by the SSA leadership, especially by Maj Gen Pang Fa, Chief of Staff of the SSA and Commander of the 1st Brigade. “Naypyitaw is certainly trying to bring him around,” said a border watcher from Thailand.
Pang Fa, 58, is known to be close to the Wa leadership, that is also resisting Naypyitaw’s attempts to convert them into a militia force.
Hso Ten, was detained in February 2005 together with the Shan State’s biggest party Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) leaders. He was sentenced to 106 years and is currently serving his term at Kham Ti, Sagaing Division. The SNLD leader Khun Tun Oo, 66, who was sentenced to 93 years, meanwhile is being held further north in Putao, Kachin State.
The SSA ‘North’ is facing a tough job, according to some sources. “The local people have urged them with 3 not-tos: Not to surrender, not to return to the armed struggle and not to leave them to the mercies of the Burma Army,” said a retired senior commander. “But there are also other people who say they should return to the struggle.”
Apart from the SSA ‘North’ and the United Wa State Army (UWSA), four other ceasefire groups have yet to agree to the militia proposal made by Burma’s ruling military council: Kachin Independence Army (KIA), National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), Kayan New Land Party (KNLP) and New Mon State Party (NMSP).
