MTA MUTINEERS BEING ENGINEERED BY SLORC INTO ARMED CONFLICT WITH MTA

MTA MUTINEERS BEING ENGINEERED BY SLORC INTO ARMED CONFLICT WITH MTA

The breakaway MTA group, renamed the Shan State National Army, is being forced into beginning open armed clashes with its erstwhile mother oganisation, reported a source coming into Thailand. 

Unlike the DKBO, the breakaway Karen group which enthusiastically cooperated with the SLORC forces during their campaign against the KNU, the SSNA of Major Karnyord during its three-month long separate existence from the MTA has carefully refrained from starting a civil war with the MTA, among whom are the mutineers' close friends, relatives and life-long comrades. Above all, the presence of Gunjade, Karnyord's most respected ex-superior in the vicinity proves an almost tangible deterrent. Instead, it has turned to the tactic of persuading the dissatisfied soldiers to desert their units, which has had some success. 

However, the ambitious SLORC commanders have not been impressed with Karnyord's exploits, and have so far refused to bankroll his psychological operations except to print and distribute his anti-Khun Sa pamphlets. "Every time he turns towards the SLORC for funds and ammo," says the source, "they keep asking him when his military operations will start. So far, he has received only K1 million from General Khin Nyunt, who sent his aide Col San Pwint, to talk to him in his stead."

In the meantime, the MTA, under the new leadership, has made a series of concessions to Karnyord's demands, which includes the recall of controversial commanders Yiapmong and Kaw-hat, collective leadership and an end to summary executions without trial. It also promise amnesty and reinstatements for all returnees including Karnyord. Many prominent Shan individuals and agencies are also mediating in order to head off an armed conflict, which once begun would go out of of control and play directly into the hands of SLORC.

Everything seems to rest on the decision of Karnyord, who is badly in need of raw cash to upkeep his splinter army. The SLORC does not seem worried. So says the source: "As far as it is concerned, Karnyord will be reduced a drug trafficker if he decides to go back to the MTA. And if he does attack the MTA, the issue of 'who's the traitor and who's the real freedom fighter' will throw great confusion among the populace and the resistance. And both outcomes are fine with the SLORC."