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There
emerged persons confessing SSA (South) led by Ywet Sit committing
destructive act,
YANGON, 19 Jan—The following is a translation of clarifications of Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan at Press Conference No 1/2006 held at City Hall of Lashio, Shan State (North) on 17 January on matters relating to surrender and capture of insurgents of SSA (South) brigade No 241 led by Sao Khun Kyaw as they were being absolutely opposed by local people. Excellencies, local and foreign journalists Mingalabar. Auspiciousness to you all. First of all, I would like to extend my warmest greetings to Your Excellencies Ambassadors and journalists. I wish both physical and mental well-being of all of you. At this press conference today, clarifications will be made on matters relating to surrender and capture of insurgents of SSA (South) brigade No 241 led by Sao Khun Kyaw as they were being totally opposed by local people and they could no longer be able to move about in Namkham Township of Shan State (North). And also matter on seizure of arms and ammunition hidden by U Sai Yi and group of SSNA according to the tip-off by the people will also be explained at this press conference. Moreover, clarifications will be made on forced recruitment of child soldiers, torture and massacre of residential villagers in the name of racism, setting the entire villages on fire, moving villages to border areas so as to utilize them as buffers for the safety of insurgents, collection of extortion money, committing rape against indigenous women, circulating counterfeit currency notes and trafficking of narcotic drugs by SSA (South) terrorist insurgent group led by Ywet Sit. In 1988, the anarchistic unrest took place and the nation’s administrative machinery was stopped. Safety of lives and properties of the public was jeopardized. In such situation, the Tatmadaw was the only organization able to save the nation and the people. Thus, the Tatmadaw had to unavoidably take over State responsibilities. After taking over State responsibilities, the Tatmadaw always keeping the aspiration of the people in the fore took measures for transforming one-party political system into multi-party democracy as well as changing socialist economic system into market-oriented economy. To practise democracy properly and with full essence, there are three basic requirements. They are stability and the rule of law and order in the entire nation; economic development of the nation and the people; and development of human resources with high level of knowledge and technology. Thus, the Tatmadaw Government gives priority to prevalence of peace and tranquillity as well as the rule of law and order. In so doing, it has got the full participation of the entire people. In addition, major armed insurgent groups and many smaller armed groups returned to the legal fold after realizing the genuine goodwill and deeds of the Tatmadaw. In the Northeast Command area (1) Shan State (North) Special Region-1 (2) Shan State (North) Special Region-2 (3) Shan State (North) Special Region-3 (4) Shan State (North) Special Region-5 (5) Shan State (North) Special Region-7 and other smaller groups have returned to the legal fold. Of them, PSLA group of Shan State (North) Special Region-7 led by U Aik Mone; the insurgent group of SSNA led by U Kan Na; the insurgent group of SSNA led by U Gon Khay exchanged arms for peace and gave up armed struggle line unconditionally as they loathe acts of demanding extortion money and bullying the people. Hence, the people welcomed them with delight and now the entire Northeast Command area is fully enjoying peace. The people can earn their livelihood conveniently and enjoy the fruits of their labourfully. In as much as peace and tranquillity prevail all over the nation, national development endeavours can be made without hindrances and obstacles. Hence, the combined force of the Government, the people and the Tatmadaw joining hand in hand has given priority to development of border areas and national races. Under the guidance of the Head of State, border area development works are implemented with great momentum as huge amount of funds have been spent on uplift of economic, education, health, transportation and living standard of the national brethren at border areas which lagged behind in development in the past. At the same time, Four Economic Objectives have been laid down for promoting the socio-economic lives of the nation and the people. Emphasis is placed on development of agriculture as the base and all-round development of other economic sectors as well. In this context, efforts are made for supply of cultivation water sufficiently. Clusters of dams and reservoirs are built and cultivated acreage is extended. Emphasis is also laid on double and multiple cropping as well as increasing the yield of crops. On the other hand, efforts are made for better transportation so as to ensure trade of (See page 7)agricultural produce. Network of roads and bridges are constructed and existing ones are upgraded. Moreover, participation in terms of technical know-how and investments are invited from sources inside the country and abroad to do business in Myanmar. Industrial zones are established and emphasis is laid on transforming the nation from mechanized farming into an industrialized nation. As a result, national economy is achieving development year by year. Thanks to market-oriented economy in conformity with the wishes of the people, per capital income has increased. In developing the Union, efforts are made to ensure simultaneous development of all areas across the country. Accordingly, 24 Special Development Regions are designated and economic, health and education matters of the local people are promoted remarkably. Lashio in the northern Shan State is a special development region and its economic, trade, agriculture and livestock breeding, transportation, education and health sectors are making progress. In the past, health care services with advanced technology and specialists were available only in Yangon and Mandalay. Now, advanced health care services are available in every special development region. Moreover, universities, technical colleges, institutes and Teachers Training Colleges are opened extensively in every special development region. About 70 per cent of the nation’s total population are rural people. Hence, it is important to ensure development of rural areas simultaneously. Accordingly, five rural area development tasks have been laid down and are being implemented with the combined strength of the State, local people and wellwishers. As a result, economy, health, education, transportation, water supply and irrigation of rural areas are in progress with momentum. Hence, the people all over the Union are joining hands with the Tatmadaw government. The entire people can in no way accept any destructive act harmful to stability of the State. The entire people are keen to build up the Union into a peaceful, modern and developed new nation. The Shan nationals in Myanmar have suffered bitter experiences under the feudalist sawbwas. Although feudalism has already been abolished in Myanmar, the descendants of sawbwas are aspiring to revive feudalism. In the name of Shan State liberation, aspiring for establishment of a separate Shan state and seceding Shan State from the Union, decedents of sawbwas with racism and narrow-mindedness are conspiring to cause disintegration of the Union in collusion with internal and external destructive elements. In this context, Sao Kham Hpa’s formation of the provisional Shan State government and announcement on the liberation of Shan State were vivid evidences which are totally contradictory to the time and condition of Myanmar today. Hence, the entire national races residing in Shan State have not accepted nor recognized it but opposed it. In this regard, Ywet Sit taking refuge at the border area changed the name of SURA into SSA (South) and launched above-ground and underground conspiracies with a view to covering up his crimes with political pretexts. Sai Yi of SSNA who first returned to the legal fold in the North-East Command area secretly collected arms and ammunition and sent them to Ywet Sit. When authorities found out, Sai Yi fled and took refuge at Ywet Sit. Hiding the destructive acts they had committed, SSA (South) Ywet Sit and group were invented stories relying on foreign masters and foreign media. They are indeed like thieves who are shouting “thief! thief!”. However, as the saying “The truth will prevail”, there emerged many persons who confessed that SSA (South) led by Ywet Sit had been committing destructive acts and robberies and trafficking narcotic drugs. They were members of SSA (South) brigade (241) who were arrested or who had to surrender their arms due to the fact that local people in Namhkam Region in Shan State (North) opposed them. Ywet Sit held a meeting in November 2004 at his Lwetainglian headquarters and laid down plan for 2005. According to the plan, the brigade (241) was sent to penetrate upper parts of Sagaing Division and brigade (756) into Pa-O region. The SSA Brigade (241) comprising 58 members led by Sao Khun Kyaw infiltrated first into northern Shan State to be able to enter upper parts of Sagaing Division according to the plan in November 2005. They brought along 50 ticals of raw opium, 200 stimulant drugs bearing WY letters and counterfeit 1000 kyats notes. On their way they forcibly recruited 15 persons. They asked for extortion money. Sao Khun Kyaw provided opium and stimulant drugs to his members to instigate into violence. In mobilizing new recruits, SSA charged 500,000 kyats or 600,000 kyats per persons for failing to join as new recruits. It mobilized 2 new recruits from each small village and 3 new recruits from each big village. They had to mobilize recruits young or old. Thus some recruits of SSA were as young as 15 years. Old and new recruits fled from SSA brigade (241) as they did not want to become insurgents on the way. According to the tip-off by duty-conscious people, Tatmadaw columns were in hot pursuit of SSA (South) brigade (241) which fled to southern part of Namhkam. The residential people of Namhkam also abhorred the insurgents and opposed them absolutely. During the time of the Tatmadaw Government, Namhkam region is now peaceful like other regions as it is free from insurgents. Regional development works and rural development activities are meeting with success. The local populace are enjoying the fruits of peace and stability and they oppose anyone jeopardizing the development momentum of the region. Thus, members of SSA brigade (241) led by Sao Khun Kyaw dared not enter villages of Namhkam region and they took refuge in the jungle. With no contacts with local people, food and rations are in short supply for the insurgents. The SSA members are suffering from depression. Hence, eleven SSA members led by sergeant Tun Kyaw surrendered with 18 assorted arms on 1-1-2006 morning. With assistance rendered by the public, the Tatmadaw columns are taking hold of enemies’ hiding places and exposing the insurgents. Soon, altogether 27 SSA brigade (241) members led by Sao Khun Kyaw were arrested together with 42 assorted arms and ammunition. They were on the run and had not eaten any food for five days at that time. At 12.45 pm the same day, sergeant Sai Yi and one from Sao Khun Kyaw’s group were also captured. The remaining ten insurgents were also arrested the same day. Being crushed by Tatmadaw columns along the route, four insurgents were killed and four recruits of SSA fled. The remaining 50 insurgents surrendered and were arrested as they were opposed by the local people. Altogether 63 assorted arms and ammunition, over 5.5 million kyats, 571 counterfeit 1000-kyat notes and two gold bars were seized from SSA group. Moreover, acting on a tip-off, 36 assorted arms and related items hidden by SSNA Sai Yi and group were unearthed in Moneyin region of northern Shan State on 11-1-2006. According to the confession of those insurgents from SSA brigade (241), the SSA (South) of Ywet Sit has its headquarters in Lwetainglian at the border east of Homein region in eastern Shan State. It has some 400 hardcore members. Moreover, there are some villages near Lwetainglian camp. They are meant to be buffer of the camp. The villages were forced to move and settle there by the insurgents. These villages are receiving aids from NHEC (National Health and Education Committee) of NCGUB. The ICRC and other organizations also provided medicines and salaries to the villages. American/French David Ubank and wife of Free Burma Ranger provided the largest amount of cash to Ywet Sit group. Nang Chantao of SWAN is a daughter of ex-SSA brigade commander and she frequently visited Lwetainglian camp. The SSA (South) maintains contacts with KNU, KNPP, CNF and ALP insurgent groups too. Ywet Sit group made local people grow poppy in the places controlled by SSA. The group levied taxes on opium and demanded the people to sell opium to SSA (South) without fail. The SSA refined opium and sold the drug to dealers in the neighbouring country. Poppy is grown in abundance in the regions of SSA (South) brigade (198) and brigade (756). There are also opium refineries in some villages controlled by SSA (South). Ywet Sit has been engaged in drug trafficking with his followers. On 7-3-2005, Ywet Sit’s man Sai Tun (a) Nai Tun Wiwatron Aron with the rank of captain was seized by Thai police in Panmanpha township, Mae Hong Son district with 174 heroin packets weighting 82 kilos. Moreover, Ywet Sit’s man Ti Ma with the rank of captain was killed in exchange of fire with Thai police on his way to trafficking drugs. These incidents were clarified at the press conference held on 16-3-2005. Evidences and documentary photos were put on display in this hall. Moreover, Ywet Sit has four stimulant factories at his camp near Lwetainglian. Ywet Sit ordered his each brigade to earn money by establishing a Yaba or stimulant pill factory. The confessions of seized insurgents of SSA (South) brigade (241) disclosed the fact that there is a restricted area in Lwetainglian camp. That restricted area has four gates and three outpost hillocks. There is also a rock cave where water was available. Ywet Sit kept the restricted area secretly. Ywet Sit and his father-in-law Sao Khay Ngin, Chief of staff of SSA (South) only know about the secrets. Narcotic drugs and counterfeit currency notes are likely to be produced there. Drug lord Ywet Sit is undertaking narcotic drug trafficking as well as producing counterfeit currency notes with his followers. In the year 1999, Ywet Sit group made K 50 million worth of counterfeit notes and sent them through the jungle to Muse-Namkham region. Another incident was also connected with this. On 12-12-1997, a person who came to Maung Kein gold and jewellery shop in Mandalay and tried to buy gold with counterfeit K 500 notes was arrested. Further interrogation led to the raid of U Maung Sein’s house at Chanmyathazi of Mandalay. From that house 2,000 counterfeit K 500 notes, 43 gelignites, 58 feet of explosive wire, 13 electric detonators and one walkie-talkie were also seized. Interrogations exposed that Ywet Sit group sent counterfeit notes and explosives to Mandalay for blasting bombs. In December 2004, Thai police raided an apartment in Chiangmai where Ywet Sit’s follower Lonhein Nandi resided. The Thai police seized counterfeit-money making machines and documents. Lonhein Nandi fled and sought refuge at Ywet Sit. He was a village chairman of Nant Pan Chaung village and he was brought in by Ywet Sit in moving the camp to Lwetainglian. At a village near Lwetainglian, there is said to be a machine which can make counterfeit notes. Similarly, when Sao Khun Kyaw and group were arrested, altogether 571 K-1000 currency notes were seized. Ywet Sit has a house in Kawlon village near Weinhay of a neighbouring country. He has also had two houses in Chiangmai and he has two wives. Still, he is a womanizer. Only after his follower Sai Tun (a) Nai Tun Wiwutron Aron was arrested by Thai police, Ywet Sit lived in Lwetainglian. Mediamen from BBC, VOA, RFA and DVB broadcasting stations were usually present at functions of SSA (South) headquarters. Ywet Sit has been shouting at the top of his voice that he wants liberation of Shan State or genuine federal Union; if secession is not granted he wants a federal system of eight states and he opposes the National Convention, which is being held in accord with the seven-point Road Map. Actually Ywet Sit is attempting to revive feudalism in Shan State. He is seeking fortune by following armed insurgency line. With reliance on external elements he acts one way before media and acts differently in the jungles with the use of force. Ywet Sit has been committing terrorist acts constantly since long long ago. In May 2005 he recruited at least seven from each village-tract and one from each household from far-flung villages in southern and eastern Shan State. The villagers had to join Ywet Sit group or give money. Many young men of national races fled to Loilem, Taunggyi and Mandalay and entered novicehood or monkhood. Some earned their living taking odd jobs and they were separated from their families. Video documentaries and documents on further details are put on display. No national people want to join the group of Ywet Sit’s insurgent group that is murdering, setting fire to villages, collecting extortion money and trafficking opium. Those who unavoidably joined the group under the death threat always seek various way to escape from the group of Ywet Sit. Ywet Sit and his group, like executioners, committed murders in front of the forcibly recruited members, and killing of the parents and relatives of those members who fled the group so that the new members dared not try to escape. What we are presenting now are true facts, with evidence. Private Sai Yi of Ywet Sit group who returned to the legal fold in 2005 admitted that SSA (South) Ywet Sit group members were murdering the relatives of newly-recruited youths so that the new members would have no attachments to their relatives and dared not escape. He also said the group member of Ywet Sit killed his parents in the village. We have full statements of the members who returned to the legal fold. On 22 October 2005, about 50 members from Brigade 759 arrived at the Wanlawt Village in Kunhein Township in Southern Shan State and forcibly took Aik Lu (10), Aik Sai (13), Khan Oun (13), and Aik Pi (16) as recruits. Among those who were forcibly recruited by SSA (South) Ywet Sit group in 2005, Sai Mein (15), Aik Sai (19), Sai Aung Mein (19), and Sai Kyaw Lin from nearby villages of Kengtawng escaped. Being afraid of the bad news about the forced recruitment by Ywet Sit group, 35 youths from surrounding areas of Kengtawng got novitiated. They are three at Weinhaing Monastery, nine at Panhsan Monastery, three at Sasana Rakkhita Monastery, 11 at Taung Nant Tum Monastery, and nine at Weinkaung Monastery in Kengtawng. Some local people who encountered similar experiences are now here to present their bitter experiences. Your Excellencies and journalists may interview them after the press conference. Clarifications have been made with sound evidences at the previous press conferences that SSA (South) Ywet Sit group members had been destroying the whole villages and killing all the villages, setting fire to the whole villages, and perpetrating terrorist acts. The evidences are displayed with the documents in the back of the hall. I would like to present one of the events. On 3 January 2000 and explosion took place in Monghsu gemland and over 120 persons were killed and 50 others wounded. According to the confession of platoon commander Aik Maung of Ywet Sit’s group who returned to the legal fold in 2002, it was learnt that that explosion in Monghsu gemland in the year 2000 was committed by Ywet Sit’s SSA (South) group. On the morning of 26 March 2005, there broke out an exchange of fire between about 60 members of SSA (South) Ywet Sit insurgent group and a Tatmadaw column in Leikha. Along the route they retreated the insurgents ruthlessly set fire to the villages of Pa-O nationals. Due to such inhumane acts, 32 homes and a primary school in Hti Ta Khu Village, 38 homes in Naungte Village, 14 homes in Monelut Village, and 27 homes in Panmaing Village were set fire and that left about 500 people homeless. On 22 November 2005, about 50 members of SSA (South) Ywet Sit group abducted and killed 10 persons from Kunhein who were extracting timber in the forest, in the west of Parhok Village, Kunhein Township, Southern Shan State. SSA (South) Ywet Sit group members are extorting money from local people. The confession of those members of SSA (South) Brigade 241 who surrendered their arms or were arrested was a tangible proof to the group’s extorting money. That group along the route extorted 1.3 million kyats from Kengtawng-Kengkham timber extraction block, 1.5 million kyats from Yaksawk-Naung Woe block, and 500,000 kyats from Nawnglon block. I would like to present the inhumane acts of SSA (South) Ywet Sit group acted as if they were Licensed to Rape. In the evening of 18 January 1997, around 20 members of SSA (South) Ywet Sit group set fire to Meethwaygon Village in Namhsan Township and opened fire on the homes. In the incident, 13 villagers including children were killed and eight were injured. Moreover, they raped village girls. On 13 June 1997, about 40 terrorist drug bandits of Ywet Sit’s group halted 30 passenger buses on Kunhing-Kengtung Road and demanded extortion money from passengers. They ordered some passengers to sit on the roadside and the terrorists also raped women passengers. They then opened fire randomly at the passengers. Thus, twenty-five passengers were killed and five were injured. On 2 September 2004, some 30 members of SSA (South) halted four cars travelling from Taunggyi to Kunhing at a place between Konboung and Waingmon villages and collected extortion money from passengers. They also raped women. My explanations and documents and photos bear witness to the fact that who committed the forced recruitment of minors, mass killings based on racial hatred, forced relocation of villagers to border areas for defence purposes, sexual violence against national race women and distribution of counterfeit notes and narcotic drugs. Now I would like to explain the brief account of the Tatmadaw’s control and command system and observance of discipline. The Tatmadaw was born of the national people during the independence struggle. Because of its excellent control and command system and discipline, the Tatmadaw has been protecting the people as a reliable force in accord with its 12 fine traditions since its birth over 60 years ago. The control and command system of the Tatmadaw covers all the ranks from the top to the lowest level. The Tatmadaw members have esprit de corps, obedience and loyalty. Privates, other ranks and the officers are always observing their code of conduct in their relations with one another and with the people. Good discipline and high morale are the dignity of the Tatmadaw. Tatmadaw members have to abide by the military law, and rules and regulations as well as the civilian law and rules and regulation. Because of good discipline and serving the interests of the people, the Tatmadaw has been able to overcome all kinds of hardships and attacks to destroy it. At present, the Tatmadaw is striving its utmost to ensure peace and stability and the rule of law in the entire nation, develop the national economy and develop human resources that are the three main requirements in the drive to build a peaceful, modern and developed nation. The convening of the National Convention has been in progress, and it is a common knowledge that there were two constitutions — the 1947 Constitution and the 1974 Constitution. Both constitutions are not in force at present. The 1947 Constitution was annulled after the Tatmadaw had to take over the state duties in 1962 as the nation faced the danger of disintegration due to the weaknesses and loopholes of the constitution. Likewise, the 1974 Constitution was also annulled in 1988 when the Tatmadaw took over the State duties because of the unrest. Thus, the nation needs a constitution that is in conformity with the time and conditions. The government held the National Convention in January 1993 to lay down basic principles and detailed basic principles for a durable constitution. The government first formed the Steering Committee to convene the National Convention, and made thorough discussions with the elected representatives of the legally existing political parties, and independent representatives-elect to convene the National Convention. It has been known internationally that the participants unanimously approved the number of groups and the delegates. Thanks to the collective efforts, the government was able to hold the National Convention from 9 January 1993 to 30 March 1996 with added momentum. The Convention laid down the 104 basic principles, the detailed basic principles for chapters of the State, the State Structure, and the Head of State, and detailed basic principles for the legislative, executive and judicial sectors. At that time, delegates of a certain political party under the influence of ideological, organizational and personal prejudices opposed and left the Convention of their own accord. The National Convention was adjourned temporarily because of the persons going against the national cause and trying to stop it. But the government was making strenuous efforts to build infrastructures in the whole nation to ensure peace and stability and the rule of law in the entire nation, develop the national economy and develop human resources, the three main essential requirements for democracy transition during the time. The governments has build a network of roads and bridges linking the entire nation, clusters of dams, industries, institutions of higher learning, hospitals and dispensaries and industrial zones. It has been implementing hydel power projects step by step. Thus, peace and stability is prevailing in the entire nation. The nation now has development infrastructures in every part. In August 2003, the government laid down and began to implement the seven-point Road Map for building a future state. Thanks to the efforts, the National Convention has made much head way. The National Convention which was adjourned in 1996 was reconvened on 17 May 2004. The National Convention which was held till 9 July that year discussed the laying down of the detailed basic principles for distribution of power in the legislative sector. The National Convention that resumed on 17 February 2005, laid down the detailed basic principles for sharing of Legislative Power on 3 March. That session of National Convention also discussed the detailed basic principles for sharing of Executive and Judicial Powers. Another plenary session of the National Convention resumed on 5 to 8 December 2005. Detailed basic principles for sharing of Executive an Judicial Power were adopted on 8-12-2005. Soon, the delegates will discuss and present papers on the fundamental rights and duties of the citizens as well as the chapter regarding the Tatmadaw. The National Convention being held now is the first step essential for emergence of an enduring Constitution as regards the process of transforming into democracy. In other words, it is the first step taken in line with the seven-step Road Map. I would like to reaffirm that there is no other way excerpt the seven-step Road Map to transform the country into a genuine and discipline-flourishing democracy system. In this context, I would like to explain to explain about the form and essence of the future nation of Myanmar in line with the Fundamental Principles and detailed basic principles adopted by the National Convention. However, for sake of time-saving, I cannot explain further details. You can study about them in the books on collected articles and booklets which have already been circulated. The convening of the Nation Convention is the first step towards building a future democratic state ensuring peace, prosperity, progress and perpetuation of the Union, home to over 100- national races. The Government will continue to implement the seven-step Road Map step by step. The National Convention has been laying down and adopting the basic principles and detailed basic principles for the constitution of the future state through the collective discussion of the delegates. In laying down and adopting the basic principles and detailed basis principles, officials of the National Convention and delegates are giving priority to ensuring democracy rights to the most possible degree, guaranteeing Our Three Main National Causes, considering the nation’s and the people’s objective conditions, while trying to make sure that the lessons of the bitter experiences do not recur in future. Their work involves the task of minimizing the weakness and loopholes in the constitution and guaranteeing equality for all nationalities. However much the external and internal spoilers, the leftist and rightist destructive elements and aboveground and underground saboteurs are trying to disturb the National Convention, it has become crystal clear that the basic principles and the detailed basic principles the National Convention has laid down will serve the nation and the people best. Thus, the government will continue to serve the national interest without deviating from the national cause. |
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