Brothers but still enemies

Brothers but still enemies, says traveler 

Thai-Burma Relations 

A visitor from Shan State told S.H.A.N. this morning generals Chavalit and Khin Nyunt might have become sworn brother as a result of the latter's recent visit but the buildup in eastern Shan State has not let up. 

"Most of the units brought up in February are still around," said the source, "for example, LID (Light Infantry Division) 88 coming up from Magwe, LIB (Light Infantry Battalion) 450 and LIB 481 (from Mergui) are still in Kengtung." 

He added that the said battalions appeared to be staying permanent. "They have been busy dragooning free labor, roofings, timber and bamboo from the local people," he said. 

Apart from that he also saw 8 howitzers and 40 tanks arriving in eastern Shan State during the height of the border conflict and was sure they had not gone back across the Salween. 

He also mentioned the recruitment program that began in May. "They do not trust Shans and lowland Lahu," he said. "Highland Lahu are much more preferred. Therefore instead of taking recruits from Shan villages they demanded money so they could find them elsewhere." 

However, the resulting scandals caused by the money-making activity have temporarily halted the operation, he explained. 

The Triangle Regional Command of Maj-Gen Thein Sein has been ordered to raise up to 5,000 new recruits, reported LNDO, a Lahu information group.