Burma Update – 01 April 2010 Page 1 of 1

BURMA UPDATE 01 APRIL 2010 ETHNIC CEASE-FIRE GROUPS AND THE ISSUE OF TRANSFORMING BORDER GUARD FORCES

The state-run television reported that Lt. Gen. Ye Myint, Chief of Military Affairs Security, presided over the opening of No. 1007 and 1008 Border Guard Force (BGF) battalions in Mong Tong and Townships, located in eastern under Triangle Region Command, on March 30. These BGFs comprise mostly local Lahu militias.

The inauguration No. 1007 Battalion together with military parade and installation was held in Pongpakyin village, Mong Tong Township and that of No. 1008 was held in Mong Yu village, Mong Yawng Township.

BGF Battalion No. 1007 is consisted of Lahu militias from Mong Tong and Townships. Chief of the militias, Kyar Pe Kwal was promoted to Major and appointed as battalion commander. BGF Battalion No. 1008 is consisted of Kyar Ku Nee militias from Tale Township and Lahu militias from District. Chief of the militias, Hseng Oun, was promoted to Major and appointed as battalion commander.

Presents in the March 30th BGF opening ceremony were the commander of Triangle Region Command, Maj. Gen. Kyaw Phyo, the director of People's Militias and Frontier Forces, Maj. Gen. Maung Maung Ohn, the director of Directorate of Public Relations and Psychological Warfare, Maj. Gen. Than Soe, the commander of No. 909 Artillery Camp Command, Brig. Gen. Soe Myint and General Staff (Col.) (Army), Col. Hla Myint Soe.

The New Democratic Army – Kachin (NDA-K) led by Zahkung Ting Ying and the Karenni Nationalities People's Liberation Front (KNPLF) led by U Htun Kyaw were transformed into BGF No. 1001, 1002 and 1003, and No. 1004 and 1005 respectively on November 8, 2009. A Kokang group led by Pe Seng Chang was also formed as BGF No. 1006 on December 4 the same year.

However, the military regime did not allow small groups such as splinter factions of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) led by Lasan Awng Wah and Mah Htoo Naw to form BGF battalions. Instead, they were converted to People's Militias.

Led by Vice-Chairperson Zhao Wenguang, United Wa State Army (UWSA) delegation consisting of five leaders and 40 armed security guards arrived in Tang Yeng Township on April 1 and met with Lt. Gen. Ye Myint around 1:30 pm. Presents were the commander of Northeast Command, Maj. Gen. Aung Than Htut, the commander of No. 1 Military Operation Command– Maj. Gen. San Myint Oo, General Staff (Col.) (Army), Col. Hla Myint Soe and the commander of Tangyan Strategic Command, Col. Khaing Zaw.

KIA, UWSA, National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA-east Shan State), Shan State Army (North) (SSA-North) and New Mon State Party (NMSP) have yet to accept the BGF plan.

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