Three Events Led To Yawdserk

Three Events Led To Yawdserk's Strange Statements: S.H.A.N. Reporter

Three closely occurred happenings preceded what many considered ill-advised statements from Yawdserk, Commander-in-Chief of the Shan State Army, according to S.H.A.N.'s reporter from the border. 

"The first appeared to be the defection of 72 followers to the Loimaw militia of Bomon who turned them over to the Burmese army on 20 January". said Maihoong from southern Shan State. 

The New Light of Myanmar, the junta's bulletin, reported the event on its 24 January issue. 

According to Cherry, believed to be Yawdserk's pseudonym, they received a 20-million kyat reward afterwards. 
The other incident was the reports about Rangoon giving large sums of loan to the ceasefire groups of Sao Loimao a.k.a. Shan State Army North and Sao Karnyawd a.k.a. Shan State National Army. Cherry reported on 26 January that they received a total of K. 130 million, dubbed quickly as "Sugar Coated Poison" by him. 

"(W)e have never crumble(d) before the enemy, but often broke(n) apart by the bribery of wealth and power", he said. 

The third incident was the burning down of a Shan refugee camp in Pang Mapha District of Maehongson by Thai troops on 23 January. The 223 Shan villagers, who came to seek sanctuary in Thailand through the SSA's assistance, were accused by the Thai raiders of caching weapons and walkie-talkies in the camp although none were reported uncovered by the TV Channel-7 reporter who was on the scene. 

"He had given the support of his army to Thailand in its war on drugs coming from Shan State, and had naturally expected a better treatment", said Maihoong. "To (sic) an enemy we can always be ready and able to protect ourselves but who knows how to protect ourselves from a friend who have (sic) the heart of an enemy", wrote Cherry on 25 January. 

The villagers are reported to have gone across the border. "They are allowed to enter Thailand for their basic needs but not to set up camps", said the source from Maehongson. 

S.H.A.N. sources, among whom were those from the Shan State Army North, however, dismissed Yawdserk's concerns. 

"Many from both the militia and the ceasefire groups are joining Moengzuen, his commander in the north", said one. "The desertion of 72 members are nothing compared to the following he is enjoying there". 

With regards to the reports of Rangoon's loan to the ceasefire groups, another source said, "It is only for the agricultural projects that both the SSA-North and the SSNA had applied for". He however conceded that Moengzuen's presence up in the north might have been the reason for the junta to "spring the loan" so easily. "Of course, the Burmese have to use every means to keep us from joining Yawdserk". 

As for Shan refugees, the source from Maehongson, said: "The problem there is essentially a humanitarian one, and the Thais are not so heartless as to deny access to humanitarian aid. There is no problem there that cannot be resolved, as long as the refugees have a tactful liaison to speak for them". He warned, however, "The wrong thing is to assume an uppish approach of 'I help you with drugs, so you must let me do whatever I like in your country'".