THE MONG TAI ARMY STRIKES A DEAL WITH SLORC

THE MONG TAI ARMY STRIKES A DEAL WITH SLORC

January 3, 1996

After several behind the scenes talks with SLORC, the strongest opposition army of the Shans has reportedly agreed to give up its 38 year long armed struggle against the successive Burmese governments that have been in power since annexing the once self-ruled Shan State in 1952, according to reports received by S.H.A.N. during the past few weeks. 

Soon after the Central Executive Committee of the Shan State Restoration Council proposed dialogue on 12 September, negotiations were secretly conducted between the two once sworn enemies. "It may probably work out in favour for both parties: one, the SLORC, is badly in need of a better image in order to please the world, especially the US and also to concentrate all its available resources on their remaining opponent - Aung San Suu Kyi; the other one, the MTA with special emphasis on Khun Sa, totally suffocated by its negative media image, is desperate for a breathing space and fresh air," as one inside source put it. 

Though the details have yet to be worked out between them, the main agreement seems to be that the MTA shall henceforth be a "surrender group" in contrast to the "cease-fire groups" which have so far come to terms with SLORC.

In accordance with the preliminary agreements, the SLORC demanded confirmation from the CEC and Khun Sa at a face to face meeting. Understandably, since Khun Sa could not travel outside the Free Territory, the Burmese were instead invited to the MTA's stronghold in Ho Mong. The Burmese then decided they wanted a hostage to ensure the safety of their delegation. In response to this, Zao Khun Seng, Khun Sa's uncle, was sent to the Burmese capital on December 18, which paved the way for Rangoon's visit to Ho Mong on December 30. 

The "9 men delegation" to Ho Mong was headed by Lt. Col. San Pwint of the SLORC's powerful Military Intelligence. It later turned out that his was only a vanguard team coming to make arrangements for the main delegation that arrived in Ho Mong on January 2. S.H.A.N. however is still unable to find out who has been included in this 17 men delegation. 

As for reports about the rebel capital being occupied by the Burmese troops, the MTA has flatly denied this. "These troops have come only to guard their superiors. Everything will be discussed and agreed between the two sides before anything is imposed on the local populace. They shall be able to continue their lives in the area the way they have done during the past ten years since the MTA took it from the Kuomintang in 1985. What we are going to do is not to put a stop to what is being done here, but only to facilitate everything." 

What about the refineries? "All operators have been ordered to stop their activities since mid-December. They shall now be able to engage in more preferable businesses, now that we have made agreement with SLORC. We shall see to it that they do," said one CEC member. 

So what about Khun Sa's declaration of Independence in 1993? Has it gone down the drain? "I don't think anything I say right now will convince people anyway. So why don't we wait until our nerves have settled back to normal," said the CEC member. 

S.H.A.N. asked Khuensai Jaiyen, former MTA spokesman, for his opinion: "All I can say now is that I regret what has happened but I sympathize with those responsible. I believe they have done what they regard is the best thing they could do for the people at present. But I don't think it was the right thing to do. Let's hope I'm wrong, because I'm out of the movement now." He says he will devote his time to the Kornzurng Memorial Society, which he co-founded in early December.