Junta moves baffle Burma watchers

The Wa in Tachilek, Maesai’s twin city on the Burmese side, have received an ultimatum from the Burma Army’s Triangle Region Command based in Kengtung, 160 km away, to hand over the remaining unregistered motor vehicles in their possession, according to sources from the border.

The United Wa State Army and its business arm, Hongpang, had so far been permitted to use their unlicensed cars, known popularly as “withouts”, despite the countrywide crackdown that began in October. “That was because they were fighting against the Shan State Army “South” (of Col Yawdserk),” explained a Tachilek resident. “Now that they have stopped bothering the Shans, Rangoon wants to let them know they have a stake in it.”

Soldiers and police were also seen taking over strategic points both along the river Maesai and at road intersections this morning, giving rise to speculations whether there were more behind the Burmese order. “After all, most of the Wa cars have all been transferred to Panghsang (the Wa stronghold on the Chinese border),” observed a resident. “Not more than a hundred withouts remain in the whole eastern Shan State.”

Other sources pointed out that the Wa are under increasing pressure since the closure of Myanmar Universal Bank and subsequent clampdown on its patrons, including U Tar Wai, a close associate of Wei Hsuehkang, commander of the UWSA’s 171st Military Region. “Remember, the Wa attack on the SSA began soon after banks linked to them were closed by Rangoon?” said a businessman in Maesai.

Licenses of Asia Wealth and Mayflower, banks reputed to be affiliated to the UWSA and under official investigation since December 2003, were revoked on 31 March. The Wa offensive on the SSA was called off following its disastrous “human wave” charges against the latter’s stronghold opposite Maehongson in April. “The Burma Army wants to remind them they have yet to finish the job they had set out to do.”

A team of Special Investigation Bureau (Sathonlon in Burmese) also arrived a few days ago with 42-blacklisted clients of the MUB, added a Tachilek source.

Burma Army sources, one from Mongton and another from Tachilek, also claimed the Army is on a 7-month operation to “checkmate” the Wa since the end of May. “The ongoing racket on the Thai border doesn’t have anything to do with the coup reports in Rangoon,” concluded a high-ranking watcher from Thailand.

According to a source close to the War Office, Burma’s No.1 top man Gen Than Shwe was forced to retire by his deputies on 22 August. The news has not been confirmed.