Burma’s State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) Chairman Senior General Than Shwe is in Beijing at present. Meeting Than Shwe on September 8, China’s President Hu Jintao says he “understands and supports the Myanmar government’s efforts to promote ethnic reconciliation.” Than Shwe, in turn, said, “Maintaining peace and stability on the border is of utmost importance to both countries,” according to Reuters. 

However, tensions along the border with ceasefire groups are high ahead of November 7′s general election.  The Burmese army’s presence in areas surrounding main base of the Shan State Army (SSA) – North’s First Brigade has increased after the newly promoted regional commander of the Northeastern Region Command issued orders to tighten security and to secure all pathways to the SSA bases, according to Shan Herald Agency for News (S.H.A.N.). 

A new Border Guard Force (BGF) program deadline for the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), also known as Mongla group, has been scheduled.   At an August 20 meeting, the Burmese junta instructed the two ceasefire groups to submit their agreement to transforming into BGFs by the first week of September, said Shan Herald News.

On July 30, the UWSA and the NDAA declined to submit to becoming junta-run BGFs, saying they will have no political representation in the upcoming election. A senior Wa officer from Panghsang said the ban on political representation includes ethnic Wa parties referring to the Wa Democratic Party (WDP) and Wa National Unity Party (WNUP).

Commander of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army’s (DKBA) 907 brigade Gen. Saw Lar Pwel also refused to sign up to the junta’s BGF scheme, which is seen as an attempt to absorb ethnic soldiers into the Burmese army.

The ceasefire New Mon State Party (NMSP) has also rejected the BGF plan, according to sources close to the NMSP. The NMSP leaders say they will continue their armed struggle until the Mon people obtain their freedom.

The Naypitaw has announced that if ceasefire groups do not respond with an agreement or disagreement on the BGF program, they will automatically be recognized as outlaw groups. But the headquarters of UWSA have said there would be no further response from them. UWSA already sent its latest eight point counterproposals on April 9, but was turned down by the junta.

Similarly, (NDAA) known as Mongla group, Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Shan State Army (SSA) ‘North’ have also given the same response. Following the Naypitaw statement on the BGF program, ceasefire groups have become more united in confronting the Burmese Army.

Anti-BGF program groups are: the UWSA, the MNDAA, Kachin Independent Army (KIA), Shan State Army (SSA) ‘North’’s First Brigade, the Kayan New Land Party (KNLP) and New Mon State Party (NMSP). All decided to remain unchanged unless their autonomy demands are met and they will not also support or participate in the general elections.

The UWSA and NDAA said they will maintain the four principles: not surrender; not transform into BGF unless their autonomy demands are met; not shoot first; but they are ready to protect themselves.  

In light of the current political situation in Burma, the armed revolution is still the only practical way to achieve the ultimate goals of self-reliance and self-determination.

Than Shwe’s dream of ‘maintaining peace and stability on the border’ may not be in line with the ground situations.