The most powerful ethnic Wa army
In addition, the most powerful Wa rebels are also refusing to abide by the SPDC's instruction to join a junta-controlled Border Guard Force ahead of elections later this year. The UWSA, which has about 25,000 men in uniform, is under pressure from the Burmese regime to become a border guard force. The Wa leaders say that accepting the junta's BGF bid could be the first step to giving up their rights. They say they have at least 20,000 soldiers on standby to fight in Burma's Northern Shan state. The United Wa State Army is among the strong ethnic armies in northern Burma that can afford making a good deal of troubles to the SPDC troops.
Residents in the area fear a brutal outbreak of fighting between Burmese troops and UWSA squads based in southern Shan State. Recently, China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) has already deployed more troops along its southwestern border with Burma, where tension remains high between Burmese junta's forces and the ethnic Wa army.
The Burmese people are disappointed with the hostile attitude of the military regime which brutally oppresses the nation by using deadly ways and means.
It is time for Mr. Ban Ki-moon, together with US, EU and ASEAN, to raise this half-century-long political conflict in the U.N. Security Council. The first and foremost thing UN has to do is to pressure the regime to change its undemocratic course toward all-inclusive polls. It is also time to release all political prisoners creating a good political weather. The UN must also urge the regime to stop all hostilities to the ethnic groups and parties for peaceful surroundings.
The U.N. Security Council ought to pressure the Burmese generals to sit at the dialogue table in the pursuit of national reconciliation. Without a reconciliation process, no election can solve the time-consuming question of Burma. Burma seems to be on the brink of a fresh civil war.
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