The Information Committee of the State Peace and Development Council held the Press Conference No. 1/2006 as regards matters relating to surrender and capture of insurgents of SSA (South) Brigade No. 241 led by Sao Khun Kyaw as they are absolutely opposed by local people at the Town Hall of Lashio Township in Northern Shan State on 17th January.
First, Chairman of the Information Committee of the State Peace and Development Council Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan clarified matters relating to surrender and capture of insurgents of SSA (South) Brigade No. 241led by Sao Khun Kyaw as they were absolutely opposed by local people.
He said that clarifications will be made on forced recruitment of child soldiers, massacre of residential villages in the name of racism, setting the entire villages on fire, moving villages to border areas so as to utilize them as barriers 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) terrorists insurgent group led by Ywet Sit.
According to the confession of those insurgents from SSA Brigade No. 241, the SSA (South) of Ywet Sit have a Headquarters in Lwetainglian at border, east of Homein region in Eastern Shan State. It has some 400 hardcore members, it is learnt.
Moreover, there are some villages near Lwetainglian Camp. It is aimed at protection for the camp. The villages were forced to move and settle there by the insurgents. These villages are having aids of 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 monetary assistances 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) has contacts with KNU, KNPP, CNF and ALP insurgent groups too.
Ywet Sit group forced local people to grow poppy in the places controlled by SSA. The group levied taxes on opium and demanded to sell opium to SSA (South) without fail. The SSA refined opium and sold to a neighbouring country. Poppy are grown abundantly in the regions SSA(South) Brigade 198 and Brigade 756. There are also opium refineries and some villages controlled by SSA (South).
Moreover, Ywet Sit has four stimulant pill manufacturing plants at his camp near Lwetainglian. Ywet Sit ordered each Brigade to earn money by establishing a Yaba (or) stimulant pill manufacturing factory.
The confessions of captured insurgents of SSA (South) Brigade 241 exposed the fact that there is a restricted area in Lwetainglian Camp. That restricted area has four barrier gates and three covered shelter hillocks. There is also a rock cave with water spring. Ywet Sit kept the restricted area secretly. Ywet Sit and his father-in-law Sao Khay Ngin only know about the secrets. Narcotic drugs and counterfeit currency notes are likely to be produced there.
Ywet Sit has a house in Kawlon Village near Weinhay of a neighbouring country. He has also had two houses in Chaingmai and he has two wives.
However, he is always womanizing with girls. Only after his follower Sai Tun (a) Nai Tun Wiwut Arun was arrested by Thai police, Ywet Sit lived in Lwetainglian. Media-men from BBC, VOA, RFA and DVB broadcasting stations were present at functions of SSA (South) Headquarters.
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 is a hypocrite before media. On the other hand he rely on arms and bullying the people at underground.
Video records and documents on further details are put on display.
No national people want to join 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 ways to flee the group of Ywet Sit. Ywet Sit and his party, 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 daren't to flee.
What we are presenting are true events, not groundless accusations. 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 had no attachments to their relatives and daren't to desert. 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.
Some local people who encountered similar experiences are now here to present their bitter experiences. Journalists may interview them after the press conference.
Clarifications have been made with sound evidences at the previous press conference that SSA (South) Ywet Sit group members have been destroying the whole village and killing all the villagers, setting fire to the whole village, and perpetrating terrorists acts.
He added that according to his explanations and documents and photos bear witness to the forced recruitment of minors, mass killings based on racial hatred forced relocation of villagers to border areas defence purposes, sexual violence against Myanmar national race women and distribution of counterfeit notes and narcotic drugs of the SSA (South).
At present, the Tatmadaw is striving utmost to ensure peace and stability and the rule of law in the entire nation, develop the national economy and to 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 is the first step towards building a future democratic State ensuring peace, prosperity, progress and perpetuation for the Union the birth place of over 100 national races. The Government will continue to implement the 7-point Road Map step-by-step.
Hence, however 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.
Next, Deputy Commander of Northeast Command Brig-Gen Hla Myint clarified matters relating to capture and surrender of insurgents led by Thangyaung (a) Sao Khun Kyaw of SSA (South) Brigade No. 241 in which he said that SSA (South) Brigade No. 241 started to make training at Loi Taing Lian Camp on 30th June 2005 with 40 members to infiltrate again upper Sagaing Division and Namma/Mohnyin region of Kachin State. The preparations and training were provided by Maj. Paung Khay. Ywet Sit and Sai Yi inspected and gave encouragement, it is learnt.
Thangyaung and some 40 insurgents left Loi Taing Lian Camp on 31st August 2005. Together with 58 new recruits and 3 porters, the insurgents crossed Dokhtawady River by raft on 24th November and entered the Northeast Command area. At that time, Thangyaung's group had the strength of 58 members including new recruits and extortion money amounting to 5.5 million kyats.
On arrival at the lace near Naung Pein Village in Kyaukme Township, the local people informed regional authorities about the arrival of the insurgents immediately. Hence, regional battalions of the Northeast Command were in hot pursuit of the insurgents and clashes broke out on 26th November.
SSA Thangyaung and group tried to avoid Tatmadaw columns very hard. However, local people on their own volition do not want to render assistance to the insurgents. Even the local people refused to guide the way for the insurgents. When the local people were to guide the insurgents, they didn't show the correct route, fled and informed the Tatmadaw. The residential people avoided the insurgents and gave information on the enemies' movement to the Tatmadaw. In this way, Tatmadaw columns could purchase the insurgents and crushed them. The newly recruits of the insurgents also fled and gave information to Tatmadaw columns.
The Tatmadaw columns were in hot pursuit of the enemies and there occurred clashes with enemies on 10th and 27th December.
At that time, the insurgents were very weak for having no food. They were in distress. Thus, Thangyaung had to control his insurgents by giving them narcotic drugs and stimulant pills to consume. We have come to learnt that facts according to the confession of those insurgents who surrendered. On 29th December morning, a clash took place at Kaungtut Village on Namkham-Monewee road. As a result, the insurgents had to split into two groups and flee. One group was with some 30 insurgents led by Thangyaung and another group was with some eleven insurgents led by Sergeant Tun Kyaw.
Finally, on 1st January 2006, Sergeant Tun Kyaw and insurgent group contacted the Tatmadaw column near Hopong Village and surrendered. Similarly, lance corporal Khine Win from Thangyaung's group surrendered to the Tatmadaw column the same day near Tawtaik monastery of Namkham. According to information provided by the local people and information received from those who had surrendered, the Tatmadaw columns in the same morning, raided the place where Thangyaung and group were hiding. At 7:00 a.m., Thangyaung and the insurgent group were surrounded and captured by the Tatmadaw.
It is due to the fact that the local people do not accept the insurgents absolutely.
By enjoining the fruitful results of peace and development endeavours of the Government all over the Union including border areas, the local people do not want to help the insurgents and they give information to the Tatmadaw as much as they can.
Sai Yi and group had hid weapons while they left to join Ywet Sit. Acting on tip-off, those hidden weapons were exposed by the Tatmadaw. The local people assumed that with these weapons the insurgent terrorists could be able to seek refuge in the area. Thus, the local people gave information to Tatmadaw and the Tatmadaw has exposed altogether 36 assorted arms and ammunition as of 15th January 2006.
You all have witnessed the regional development progress of Northern Shan State recently. To achieve development, regional peace and tranquility is the basic requirement. By realizing the genuine goodwill of the Tatmadaw Government, many former insurgent groups have exchanged arms for peace unconditionally. The local people cannot accept any act which is harmful to prevalence of law and order as well as to development endeavours. It is evidenced by this incident.
Afterwards, Ambassadors, diplomats, local and foreign journalists raised questions that were replied by Chairman of Information Committee of the State Peace and Development Council, Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan and the insurgents of SSA (South) Brigade-241 who surrendered and captured.
Concerning the questions, Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan replied that there are many dissidents who ran away from Myanmar and formed various organizations abroad. They were raising funds from international arena and have been supporting the insurgent groups.
The Deputy Commander of Northeast Command Brig-Gen Hla Myint replied to questions saying that on 1st January, 2006, after the surrender by an insurgent group led by Sergeant Tun Kyaw, we, Tatmadaw columns blocked the insurgent group led by Thangyaung. At that time, we got the information that an armed group arrived behind the Tatmadaw columns. So, we have arranged to mop up that group.
During the mopping up operation, the incident occurred. The Tatmadaw columns didn't know that the group was from KIO. Later on, officials from KIO came and discussed. During the operation period, there occurred friendly fires between Tatmadaw columns, regiments and it is a usual occurrence in jungle fightings and operations.
So, KIO accepted the real situation and made funeral service with relatives of the victims. They accepted the friendly fire incident because they were entering into the wrong area. They pledged not to occur similar incident again. We could negotiate peacefully.
Concerning the questions raised by local and foreign journalists, the incident of surrender and capture of Sao Khun Kyaw and other insurgents affected the national consolidation too much because the public absolutely oppose terrorist acts which will violate prevailing peace, stability and development.
Today's success is a result of the objection of the public on the acts of disintegration of the Union and national solidarity. The residential people living in Northeast Command Region and Namkham region expressed their wish for peace, unity and solidarity.
I think, other national races have the same views. So, the incident supports national solidarity well.
The incident also benefited National Convention. Representatives of all national races and other 7 groups are cooperating and coordinating with same spirit in National Convention. Meanwhile, members of a destructive element who opposed the process of National Convention were captured and surrendered and it was quite well for the National Convention.
Sai Phone (a) Phone Tint, Commander of No. 702 Regiment of SSA (South) replied that there are brigades in SSA (South). They levied taxes and extorted money in their regions. They also levied taxes from drug traffickers and stand with that money. The members of SSA (South) have not received their salaries since July, 2003. They were in trouble in their living. They have to earn for their living by making and selling charcoal, cutting wood and thatch, searching for sandal wood. Some married women went to Thailand and worked there as daily wage-earners.
The Minister for Information replied the Government does not stop the negotiation with KNU armed group. We have contact. Recently, we negotiated venue and date for discussion.
We, the Tatmadaw Government are welcoming any armed group who really wish to return to the legal fold with sincere goodwill.
Sergeant Sai Htoo Kyaw of SSA (South) Brigade-241 replied that there are books on rules and negotiations laid down by SURA led by Ywet Sit. But leaders as well as followers did not abide by those rules and regulations. There are restrictions on marriage. But Ywet Sit has 2 wives and other illegally married women.
Moreover, he took a 14 or 15 years old Shan girl namely Nang Mu Kyauk who sell goods in Lwe Sitlan Headquarters and raped her. He gave her money and two motor cycles. It shows that the leader himself violates the rules he laid down. Commander of SSA (South) Brigade-758 Main Sit has 40 wives and Commander Khut Laung has 20 wives. They could do as they like. They could spend much money for their corruptions. But the followers have to abide by the rules and regulations.
Company Commander Sai Htoo of No. 7 Regiment of SSA (South) said that there is in age limitation for new recruitments in SSA (South) Ywet Sit group. The age limitation is between 18 and 40 years. But SSA mobilized 14 or 15 years old boys as new recruits. They mobilized 4 or 5 new recruits from a village. The village had to pay between 300,000 kyats and 500,000 kyats for failing to mobilize new recruits. They asked for 4 or 5 new recruits from the village which has been designated to mobilize 3 recruits. If the villagers didn't give new recruits they had to pay money. The Brigade Commanders earned money like this.
The new recruits did not enter into SSA on their own volition. Thus, they fled the SSA. They threatened the villages that if villagers did not give new recruits, they would kill headmen of the villages and set the villages on fire. They gave those who fled 30 or 50 lashes as punishment. If they did not catch those who fled, they kidnapped their parents for ransom. Hence, they did not flee although they had no wish to join SSA.
A local said that he lives in SiHtoo Village, HoPone Township and SSA insurgents came into our region on 23rd March, 2005 and stayed there until 26th.
On 26th March, there was a fighting 2 or 3 miles from NaungLay Village. The fighting started at 9:00 a.m. and set the village on fire. We apologized them explaining about the trouble we meet but just in vain. They replied that the one who wanted to die can stay in the houses but they will carry on setting fire. As the leaders ordered them to set fire, they must do it. In this village, 32 houses, a Primary School and an Affiliated Middle School were destroyed. Altogehter 98 houses from SiHtoo, NaungLay, PanMaing and YwaPaung villages were set on fire.
Now, the villagers feel happy to know about their surrender. If they did not surrender the villagers would be staying in anxiety.
A member of SSA also replied that they carried out opium and stimulant pills from their Headquarters. Their Headquarters is involving in drugs affairs. They refined opium in restricted areas in the environs of the Headquarters. They pushed the local people to cultivate opium before the Tatmadaw columns had arrived. They scraped opium sap and destroyed the useless opium field to show international arena as they are destroying the opium field.
So, he could say that opium, stimulant tablets and counterfeit currency notes that they carried along the route are from their Headquarters. They were produced and traded in the Headquarters.
SSA fed opium to the porters taken from the villages and stimulant tablets to SSA members in order to move forward strongly when Myanma Tatmadaw columns blocked them.
When they surrender, a Tactical Commander who's name was not remembered took them and asked him that what we want to do. He replied that he wanted to have meals. They could have meals within half an hour under his arrangement. Tatmadawmen treated them well.
In reply to the question, Khine Win of SSA (South) said before transforming to the Brigade-241, he stayed together with U Ywet Sit at the Headquarters for 3 or 4 years. At that time, he was only a radio operator.
According to the facts he knew, SSA produced more stimulant pills than heroin. He can say that SSA produces stimulant pills although they didn't let us know pills. It is top secret. There are restricted areas where nobody is allowed to enter. But some security guards are his friends. He knew about the drug crime of SSA from them. As he said before, he has not received his salaries for 2 years and it was learnt that the leaders were disappointed for lack of earning from drug trafficking due to the combating of narcotic drugs by Thai authorities.
Accordingly, he firmly believed that the SSA produced and trafficked stimulant pills. They also produced opium and extorted money.
And then they pushed to cultivate opium in nearby villages of the Headquarters. They also pushed families of SSA members to cultivate opium. And then they scraped opium sap. At the time when the opium sap is dried, they filmed video. And they broadcast the video to foreign nations that SURA has been carrying out eradication of drugs. So, we confirmed that the Association is in connection with drugs.
In reply to the questions, Sai Htoo of SSA said that it is right that foreigners had arrived at Loi Taing Lian Headquarters. Correspondents generally came to Loi Taing Lian were from BBC, RFA, VOA and DVB correspondents also came. There is a refuge camp in Loi Taing Lian. It is called WaMai. Many NGOs visited this WaMai Camp. This refuge camp is a village that was formed by remnant amputees of of Khun Sar period. Families of SURA and SSA were under the name of refuges in WaMai Village. That is one of the solutions of food, clothing and shelter of Ywet Sit group. Funds provided by NGOs was distributed to the families. And then, there is a group, the name I know is Free Burma Ranger, there. It is led by American citizen David.
David and his family visited there at the beginning of 2005. David, his wife and 2 daughters visited the refuge camp.
Regiment Commander Sai Phone replied to the question saying that we collected extortion money on motor road in March, 2000.
There, we engaged 3 police and they were arrested. We reported the case to supervisors and they ordered us to kill. So, we killed them. They are one Police Corporal, one Police Lance Corporal and one Private.
Later, Corporal Khing Win replied the question saying that we searched rice in farming huts and houses in villages. We didn't find, they might be hidden. They eat rice but they hid it. So, we face the shortage of food and rations. We face this problem along the way. Public totally oppose us. They didn’t support us. It is obvious that they cooperate with Myanma Tatmadaw Government. That's why, we have taken refuge to the bosom of the people.
Continuing, the Minister for Information replied that we didn't keep U Than Gyaung here. According to the investigation, U Than Gyaung is a terrorist who had committed many crimes. In so doing, we have much responsibilities in security point of view to bring him out in the presence of the public. Because of this situation, we didn't keep U Than Gyaung here. But, if those attendees, Ambassadors and correspondents want to see him, we can arrange jail visit and show his condition.
Continuing, U Aik Mone replied the questions that once I, was a Chairman of PSLA. Our Association exchanged armed for peace since 1991. Nobody put pressure on us. We exchanged arms for peace with our own desire. We unconditionally exchanged arms for peace with the desire that today's Tatmadaw Government will be able to protect all the nationals.
After exchanging arms for peace, it is obvious that people can carry out for their education, health, economy and regional development in peace. That's why, we had unconditionally exchanged arms for peace.
Later, the Minister for Information replied the questions that the reason, why we designated 11 are the persons who returned to the legal fold and 27 are the persons who were under arrest, is that 11 persons brought weapons to the responsible personnel and returned to the legal fold with their own desire and the rests were arrested. In reply to the second question that taking action for the persons who returned to the legal fold and were arrested is according to the law.
Later, a member of SSA replied the question that restricted area is restricted. Everybody can't be allowed to enter. So, we know that they refined drugs there according to security guards who took part in this work.
Weapon factory is not really a big one. They give us two 9mm pistols. As we asked from where they came, they answered that weapon factory produced them and they come from restricted area. That is why, I confirmed that the weapon factory is in restricted area.
After the conference, Chairman of the Information Committee of the State Peace and Development Council Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan cordially greeted the Ambassadors, diplomats and foreign journalists and answered the queries raised by those present. Later, the attendees studied the photos and documents displayed in the hall.
