Wa preparing a trench warefare

Wa preparing a trench warefare

Reporter: Hawk from Mae Faluang, Chiangrai

The embattled Shans are now facing the possibility of a long drawn trench warfare with the Wa, according to lower officers from the Shan State Army across from Chiangrai's Mae Faluang District. 

A Shan officer of Wa descent told S.H.A.N. this morning after a brief exchange of fire with the Wa at Loi Kawwan, opposite Tambon Therdthai, Mae Faluang District, that Wa have been digging trenches and tunnels toward the Shan stronghold for 4 consecutive days now. 

"We are seeing at least 12 firebases each manned by a squad of UWSA (United Wa State Army) around Loi Kawwan," he said. "I told them (through the walkie-talkie) that wasn't a brotherly gesture." 

The officer who had been at the 14-year-long "war of tunnels" (1982-96) against the Wa in the Doilang-Mongyawn area, now under UWSA control, concluded that the signs had all the makings of Doilang II. 
"The only difference is that they are using forced labor of not only Shan but also Wa villagers in the area instead of digging the holes themselves," he said. 

The surrounding area is in Mongkarn Tract with no more than 100 households of native dwellers but at least 650 households of Wa resettlers. It is estimated that about 70,000 - 140,000 Wa people near the Chinese border have already been resettled in Mongton and Monghsat townships, west of Tachilek, since October 1999. 
"One reason for the relocation program has been to prevent the Wa fighters in the south from getting homesick and returning to their homes with or without leave," he said. 

Wei Hsiaokang, the Wa commander wanted by both Thai and US drug agencies, was reported to have said he had no intention to fight against Shans, "who share the same homeland". 

"But if the UWSA decides to join the Burmese against us, we have no choice", he said. "Only I'd like them to know, in our hearts, we are not fighting against them, but against the Burmese (military)". 

There has been no comments from either Sao Yawdserk, the SSA's Commander-in-Chief, or Lt-Col. Kawnzuen, the Kengtung Front Army's commander. Yawdserk, during an earlier occassion, had said he hoped the issue with the Wa could be resolved in peace. 

A Thai officer, who requested not to be named, said: "It's not that Thais are for Shans, but we are definitely against the Wa. We shall be here (along the border) until the Burmese agree to leave taking the Wa with them. We hope we can settle this question peaceably at the next RBC (Regional Border Committee)meeting". 

Concerning public sentiments, he said, "Just visit the Thai websites and you'll find the majority denouncing both Rangoon and their backers in Thailand".