Ceasefire leader upset by Rangoon proviso

Ceasefire leader upset by Rangoon proviso

Politics

Leaders of Mongla have been worrying over recent instructions from Rangoon concerning its representation at the impending reconvening of the 'National Convention' that has been adjourned since 1996, according to Mongla sources. 

The sources, who are members of the National Democratic Alliance Army-Eastern Shan State, designated by Rangoon as Special Region#4 with its administrative seat in Mongla, opposite China's Daluo, said Burmese authorities wanted the same representatives that had attended the Convention before its abrupt interruption 7 years earlier. 

Sources, who preferred to remain anonymous, told S.H.A.N. how it was "a real headache to our chairman" Sai Leun a.k.a Lin Mingxian, better known as U Sai Lin to Rangoon authorities: 

• The 4 former participants from Mongla at the NC were Sai Leun himself, Khun Hsanglu, Hsarmper and Chaypi a.k.a Kham Maw. However, Kham Maw had been executed after finding him guilty of treason in 1999. "The directive in effect requires us to bring him back to life," one of the officers quipped.

• Khun Hsanglu, one of Sai Leun's vice chairmen, understands very little Burmese, and no official interpreters in different languages are expected, if past experience is of any value. 

• Moreover, together with the Shan State Army "North" and the United Wa State Army, the NDAA-ESS had, among other things, demanded the right to choose its own representatives on 15 October. 

Sai Leun, 54, according to the sources, has been very active since his recovery from a year long paralysis. All the battalions, under his order, have been beefed up to full strength, 250 each. Battalion commanders older than 35 have been moved up to either active or inactive posts, depending on their abilities. "A battalion commander must not be a day younger or older than 30-35," he was quoted as saying. 

Despite his current focus on military buildup, his relations with Rangoon appears to be normal. Last month, he was awarded a second medal from Senior General Than Shwe for Outstanding Social Activities, "meaning he has kept Mongla clean from drugs" despite the withdrawal of Chinese financiers in July. The first medal was presented to him by Gen Khin Nyunt. 

He has also been careful not to lose support from his ethnic Shan units. "I've been called a Chinese every place I go", he told the 369th Brigade, the majority of whom are ethnic Shans. "But both my parents were northern Shans (Tai Neua). I therefore hope you will believe me when I say I will never betray the cause of Shans."

Sai Leun, a native of Panghsai, the northern Shan town, opposite China's Wanding, served with the Communist Party of Burma as one of its ablest field commanders. He was in charge of the 815 War Zone that centered around Mongla when the 1989 mutiny against the CPB leadership broke out. He is married to the daughter of Peng Jiasheng, leader of Kokang, Special Region #1.