Feb 15, 2010 (DVB) – Wa leader Bao Yuxiang again refused to meet with Burma army’s security chief to discuss the latter’s plan of transforming Wa army into border guard force.

Bao was notified on 11 February by Lt-Gen Ye Myint to come to Burma army’s northeast command headquarters in Lashio on 14 February. But United Wa State Army replied that Bao is unable to come due to ‘poor health’ and the need to celebrate Chinese New Year, according to sources close to the Sino-Burmese border.

UWSA also reportedly told the Burmese general to come to its headquarters at Pang Sang near the Chinese border after 20 February if he wants to discuss the matter. The ruling military junta of Burma, the State Peace and Development Council also notified Bao on 6 February and 5 January to come to Lashio to discuss the matter but he declined on both occasions.

Military analysts said the repeated ‘invitation’ of the SPDC suggests that the junta might have more secret plans against Bao than discussing the issue of border guard force. The 30,000-strong United Wa State Army (UWSA), also Burma’s largest ceasefire group, signed ceasefire agreement with the Burmese generals in 1989.

Tension has been high between the UWSA and the Burmese army following pressure from the government on ceasefire groups to transform into border guard forces and come under the control of the Burmese army.

The majority of Burma’s 18 ceasefire groups have rejected the government’s demands, which appear to be an attempt to strengthen its support base prior to elections this year.

UWSA has also been training civilians from various townships in its region of northern Shan state since December last year in expectation of the Burmese army’s attacks.

It controls vast swathes of Shan territory, has a loyal following among ethnic Shan in the region. It also plays a leading role in Burma’s opium market, which is the second biggest in the world behind Afghanistan’s.