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Wa moving troops to protect labs in Laos

by admin — last modified 2005-06-04 05:00

Wa troops facing the Shan State Army across Chiangrai have been moved recently to provide security for drug refineries in Laos, reported an inside source yesterday.

Shan State Army's Kengtung Front Commander Kawnzuen confirmed a 200-strong Wa contingent stationed in fire-bases opposite Doi Kawwan near Pangnoon, the scene of fierce fighting in February in Chiangrai, were evacuated on short notice on 27 June.

"The Burmese have become too uncomfortable with the rising notoriety of the labs along the Thai border," he remarked.

The source said the unexpected departure was due to the result of a secret meeting held in Kengtung on 29 May. According to the source, the closed-door meeting was attended by "a top general from Rangoon," Maj. Gen. Thein Sein, Commander, Triangle Region Command, Wei Hsiao-lung, elder brother of Wei Hsiaokang and three other unnamed Wa representatives.

[Wei Hsiaokang a.k.a. Prasit Chiwinnitipanya is #1 among the US's five most wanted men on drug charges. The others are Liu Szu-po, Chang Chi-fu (Khun Sa), Yang Wan-hsuan (caught in January) and Chang Ping-yuan (Khun Saeng).]

It was resolved at the meeting for the Wa leaders to arrange for the transfer of the laboratories into Laos with which Burma's Shan State shares a 200-mile boundary. The two countries are divided by the Mekong that flows through 4 other nations: China, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Wei was reported to have informed the two generals that it would take some time to arrange with their Lao contacts before the relocation could be made. "It certainly took him nearly a month," said the source.

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Wa moving troops to protect labs in Laos