Junta the real terrorist

Junta the real terrorist, say Shans

In response to recent US designation of the United Wa State Army as a terrorist group, most Shan leaders, while welcoming the new policy change, maintain the Rangoon military that has been ruling Burma for more than 4-decades is the principal source of terrorism in the country.

"Nothing happens that they don't like," said Khurhsen Heng-awn, spokeswoman for the Restoration Council of Shan State, the political arm of the Shan State Army this morning. "The Wa are just underlings. Destroying the UWSA therefore will not end terrorism in Burma, because its wellspring is none other than the military dictatorship in Rangoon."

She held that the UWSA might come and go, but as long as the SPDC (State Peace and Development Council), as the present military authorities are collectively known, other groups will turn up to take its place.

"So far as we are concerned, Burma will put the Wa out of the drug business, or the Americans will get directly involved," Bangkok Post, 18 March, quoted one diplomatic source as saying.

Ta Mahasang of Wiang-ngern, leader of the Wa National Organization allied to the SSA, also said, "Not all Wa are engaged in the drug trade. It's only a handful of them who are misusing the Wa name for their selfish interests. And what few people realize is the fact that most of them are Chinese."

Wei Hsuehkang, Pao Yuqiang (the UWSA commander-in-chief) and his deputy Li Ziru all originated from China, according to a number of sources. Incidentally, all three have been blacklisted by Washington.

"We should be careful to grab and punish only those who are guilty and refrain from blaming every Wa," he cautioned.

According to Political Dictionary, 1998 by Fast Times, Inc., terrorism is the pursuit of a political aim by means of violence and intimidation. Another dictionary adds: Many would restrict the definition to include only those acts committed by non-government groups, but state terrorism is also a major factor in the social world.