Questions and answers made between officials and diplomats and journalists at press conference (1/2006) of Information Committee of the State Peace and Development Council

Yangon, 19 Jan — The press conference (1/2006) of the Information Committee of the State Peace and Development Council was held at the city hall of Lashio in Shan State (North) on 17 January afternoon.

Diplomats and charges d’ affaires of foreign missions, resident representatives of UN agencies in Yangon, members of Information Committee, Patron of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club U Hla Htway, President U Sao Kai Hpa and members and officials of local magazines and journals were present at the conference.

The following are questions and answers made between Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, North-East Command Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Hla Myint and the diplomats and the journalists at home and those from abroad.

Ambassador of Pakistan Mr Muhammad Nawaz Chaudhry asked questions concerning the support the insurgents are receiving from internal and external elements and who they are. Answering the questions, Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan said, there are many dissidents away from Myanmar and they formed many organizations abroad. There are various organizations formed by the dissidents. They are raising funds abroad and supporting the insurgent groups.

Ambassador of Britain Ms Vicky Bowman asked a question about a shoot-out between the Tatmadaw columns and a group of KIO members and how action is to be taken against Tatmadaw members?

Deputy Commander of North-East Command Brig-Gen Hla Myint answered the question, saying that he knew the incident best as he was the base commander in Namhkam to barricade Than Gyoung and his men. He said, after Sgt Tun Kyaw and party surrendered themselves to the Tatmadaw columns on 1 January 2006, the Tatmadaw columns had surrounded Than Gyoung and his men. At that time, the columns received a message saying that a group of armed men was behind their lines. Thus a Tatmadaw column was ordered to drive out the armed group. A shoot-out occurred when the Tatmadaw column tried to drive out the group. There are many restrictions in jungle warfare. Because of the mountains, trees and bushes, vision is not clear. So most of the battles are fought in a close range. They said battle was fought in a forest. When the Tatmadaw members met the group and the shooting started, they didn’t know that the group was from the KIO. Later KIO officers came to the Tatmadaw columns and held discussions. The Tatmadaw has agreed with the KIO in designating the places for KIO movements. But the place where the Tatmadaw column met with the KIO men is not included in the agreed designated places. Thus officials of KIO central came to the base tactical operation command and discussed with the tactical command commander. The KIO officers accepted it was their group’s fault to be at an area outside the designated places. They said that they wished to bury their dead in accord with the religious tradition. The Tatmadaw has agreements with the armed organizations. The members of those organizations are not permitted to hold arms in the areas outside the designated places. And even if the situation becomes unavoidable, they should ask permission to do so. Besides, the Tatmadaw columns were in hot pursuit of Than Gyoung and his men to encircle and crush them. There can be friendly fire in a military operation. Especially, it is likely that friendly fire may occur in jungle warfare. Relatives of the KIO men who died in the battle came to the place and buried the fallen men in accord with the religious tradition. The KIO accepted its members’ fault. Both sides agreed to make arrangements to prevent recurrence of such incidents in the future. There is peace between the Tatmadaw columns and the KIO as usual.

U Aung Shwe Oo of NTV said that the Tatmadaw’s capturing of SSA (S) members, the surrender of the SSA (S) members and the seizure of arms and ammunition can be seen as a great event in the early 2006. He said that he wished to know the extent of effects the event had on the national unity and the progress of National Convention.

Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan said the event has provided benefits to the national unity and National Convention. As the people are against instability, they sent information about the movements of Sao Khun Kyaw and his men as soon as the latter entered the North-East Command area. The local people denied any kind of help to the insurgents. It bears witness to the fact that the local people in Namhkam region love peace, stability and unity. It is an example of the national unity. The surrender and capture of the elements opposing the National Convention is a good news for the nation.

U Ko Ko of Yomiuri Shimbun asked how Ywetsit group got money for their survival, whether they earned salary or not and how they lived in Lwetainglian Camp. Commanding Officer of Brigade-241 of SSA (South) replied that brigades of SSA extorted money from owners of cars and rice mills, smugglers of cattle and teak, and opium growers. Those who smuggled out teak had to pay K 50,000 for one ton of teak, car owners from K 30,000 to K 100,000, rice millers K 50,000, smugglers of cattle K 30,000 for a head of cattle. Those who grow opium had to pay cash or opium.

He continued to say that they received salary up to June, 2003. They could support their families up to that time. They hadn’t received any payments since they left. Therefore, they could not support their families and had to make charcoal, collect fire wood and sandalwood and cut thatch and sold them. Some of their wives worked as daily wage earners in Thailand.

U Hla Htway of Nihon Keizai Shimbun asked if the negotiations with the Karen National Union (KNU) would continue, Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan replied that peace talks between the Government and KNU was not ended. Recently, the two sides discussed time and place for another meeting. The Tatmadaw Government was always willing to hold out an olive branch to any armed groups that would like to join hands with the Government sincerely. There have been contacts between the two sides. U Hla Htway asked about the strength of troops of Ywet Sit and where he was.

Commanding Officer Sai Phone (a) Phone Tint of Brigade 241 of SSA (South) answered that there were over 1000 troops at the Headquarters of SSA (South). He and his men left there on 31-8-2005. Ywet Sit was in Thailand at that time.

Fuji TV’s U Nyunt Tin said first he would like to thank the Major General and he wanted to know whether there was any rules and regulations to follow in the Ywet Sit’s group.

Sergeant Sai Htun Kyaw of SSA (South) Brigade-241 replied that the Ywe Sit-led SURA had prescribed and published a book on rules and regulations on soldiers’ codes of conduct. But, leaders as well as those with low ranks do not follow the rules. There were sometimes car robberies committed by brigade commanders and their privates. For example, Brigade commander Than Gyoung (a) Sao Khun Kyaw and his men used to rob cars along Naungpe-Kyaukme road. During a car robbery, Than Gyoung ordered his men to kill three policemen on board the car. As for women’s affairs, they also have prescribed rules and regulations. However, Ywet Sit has two wives legally. He has also married some other women illegally. Besides, he used to have a 15-year-old pretty girl called Nan Mu Kyauk, who was a peddler. When night fell, he took her to his home and she was forced to sleep with him. He gave her money and bought her two motor bikes. It is Ywet Sit himself who violates the rules of their group. What’s more, Mein Sit, commander of Brigade-758, has 40 wives and Khut Laung, commander of Brigade-756, 20 wives. As leaders, they break the rules and they do whatever they want to do taking advantage of their wealth. But those with the lowest ranks have to strictly follow the rules.

Next, U Myat Khaing of Maha News Journal and Good News Journal said he wanted to know the names of Ywet Sit’s group members, who surrendered their arms, and whether there was age limit regarding new recruitment into the group. He said Maung Soe Naing, a 13-year-old member, and a man who is 50-something are found to be among the surrendered group. He said he also wanted to know the way of recruiting the new members. There are those who were recruited as members not wanting to flee. And nearby are some local people who were tortured by the group members. He said how they were ill-treated.

Sai Htu, company commander of SSA (South) Brigade-241 replied that age limit for recruitment is between 18 and 40. Maung Soe Naing is 13 and some are 17. The number of recruits depend on the size of villages. Four or five from a village have to be recruited. Otherwise, the villages have to give K 300,000 or 500,000 to them. In doing so, there are some brigade commanders who recruit about five members instead of three and ask for K 500,000. Actually, new recruits are not willing to serve in the SSA group. When opportunities rise they try to flee. The SSA group members forcefully ask the villages to give at least two men for new recruitment. If not, they threaten to kill village heads and set fire to the villages. That’s why recruits dare not flee. When escapees are at large, the insurgents arrest their parents in the jungle and ask for the replacement with their sons. So they unwillingly have to remain in the group.

Next, U Khun Maung Nge of Sedon village in Hopon township said the SSA group members entered the region on 23 March 2005. They stayed there up to 26. On 23rd and 24th, they came to the village to buy some rice and oil for their meals. As soon as they arrived, all the villagers but girls and women fled the village. They forced them to serve as porters on their way. The region is hilly one and there are a lot of villages at the foot and on the top of the mountains. U Khun Maung Nge said there was an armed clash, about 2 or 3 miles from his village. But no sound came to the village during the clash. When the clash started at 9 o’clock and they set fire to the whole village at 9.30. All the villagers had to flee. He said despite the villages’ strong request, they set fire to the village. As a result, 32 houses and schools were burnt down in the village. The villages of Hishtu, Naunglay and Panmong also lost their 98 villages in the fire.

U Myat Khaing of Maha News journal and Kaungthadin journal said that Ywet Sit’s group that committed atrocities and torched the houses had surrendered. He asked for the remarks and opinion of villagers concerning Ywet Sit’s group.

Villager U Khun Aung said that the local people are happy to see the surrender of Ywet Sit’s group. However, the villagers are worried about some members of the group are yet to surrender.

Dr Zaw Than of Sankei Shimbun news agency said that he heard matters related to narcotic drugs, opium, stimulants and amphetamine drugs carried by Than Gyaung and group in the clarification. He asked about use of the narcotic drugs and its source.

Cpl Khaing Win of SSA (South) Brigade (241) said that the narcotic drugs were carried from the headquarters. It is because of the fact that the headquarters is connected much with narcotic drugs. The headquarters ordered to refine narcotic drugs in the restrict areas and cultivate poppy in the areas where Tatmadaw columns cannot control. After completion of their works in opium production, the headquarters demonstrated destruction of poppy plantations to the international arena. Hence, opium and stimulants, counterfeit currency notes were carried from the headquarters. The persons from the headquarters commit drug trafficking. Opium was given to porters. Furthermore, Than Gyaung forcibly gave stimulant tablets to his troops for active marching at a time when Tatmadaw columns blocked them.

U Kyaw Zeya of Weekly Eleven news journal asked about Tatmadaw’s dealings and treatment with those who returned to the legal fold and those who were captured.

Commanding officer Sai Phone (a) Phone Tint of SSA (South) Brigade (241) said that they were under siege of Tatmadaw columns, and they surrendered. After that, a Tactical Operations Commander fed them at a village. He conversed with them. Till today, prison personnel and members of Myanmar Police Force treated them well.

Dr Tin Tun Oo of Pyi Myanmar News Journal asked about the involvement of Ywet Sit’s group with narcotic drugs, and if the group continues to engage in narcotic drugs.

Cpl Khaing Win of SSA (South) Brigade (241) said that Ywet Sit’s group produced stimulant drugs a lot whereas heroin business was insignificant. Opium was packed. Lower level of the group did not know how to make stimulant drugs. The production was carried out in the restricted areas under strict security guards. According to the information from the security guards, there was an arm factory in the restricted area. For further information, the central was said to have remarked that they had not earned income due to drug elimination in Thailand. So the group is believed to have dealt with stimulant drugs. Furthermore, the group collected opium as extortion money from local growers, and encouraged the local people to cultivate poppy in the fertile region. In the villages within reach of the headquarters, local people were supposed to grow poppy and so had the family members of the group.

 And they produce opium oil. After producing all opium oil from the poppy plants, they video taped the plantations and show the poppy fields to the international arena that SSA is conducting anti-narcotic campaign. So, it is sure the group is involved in narcotic drugs trafficking.

U Hein Latt of Popular Journal

I have learnt foreign correspondents and NGOs much frequent Ywet Sit’s headquarters, known as Lwetainglian. I would like to know what sort of groups and persons are they?

Division commander Sai Htoo of SSA (South) brigade 241

Yes, foreigners often visited Lwetainglian headquarters, especially correspondents from BBC, RFA, VOA and DVB and so on. There is a refugee camp in Lwetainglian, and it is called Wa Maing. It is frequented by many NGOs. Wa Maing refugee camp is indeed just a village where many disabled MTA veterans live. There are also family members of SSA under the name of refugees in Wa Maing. It is one of Ywet Sit’s ways to raise funds of the living of his members. The disabled MTA veterans and SSA family members shared the cash assistance they receive through NGOs. And there is a group called Free Burma Ranger in the group. I have learnt that Free Burma Ranger is led by American citizen David. In the early 2005, David and his family paid a visit. I saw his wife and David and his two daughters come to the refugee camp.

U Aung Thu Myaing of Ji Ji News Agency

It is said that members of Than Gyaung group set fire to villages, murder and rob the villages. I would like to know you SSA (South) members who returned to the legal fold or were captured had ever set fire to villages, or committed murders or robbery? If you have not, are there any other members apart from Than Gyaung who committed such crimes?

Saing Phone (a) Phone Tint with the rank of commander of SSA (South) brigade 241

I have never set fire to a village, but ever murdered. In March 2000, we went to the road to collect extortion money. And we exchanged fire with three policemen. Then, we seized and tied them with strings. We reported on the seizure to our superiors, who then ordered us to execute them — one policeman with the rank of corporal, one with the rank of lance corporal and the last one with the rank of private. But, we have never set fire to a village. The same month, about 80 members led by Sai Nya and Kar Oo of brigade 198 on their way to collecting extortion money exchanged fire with a Tatmadaw column. So, they assumed that the battle occurred due to the information sent to the Tatmadaw by Pa-O villages. Then, they set fire to Pa-O villages. I learnt that eight homes and rice granaries were burnt down.

U Aung Khaing of Yonkyihmu Journal I would like to put a question to the members who returned to the legal fold. I have observed the map of their route. I would like to know the attitude of local people along the route to them. And I would also like to know how local people along the route treated them. Now, I have not seen a person called Than Gyaung. Why?

Lance corporal Khaing Win of SSA (South) brigade 241

I was a signalman. We did not have any difficulty along the way in Shan State (South) as it was under the control of Ywet Sit. But it was quite different when we entered Shan State (North). We seized local people by paying more than what they earned a day or at gunpoint. However, they ran away once we were off our guard and informed the nearest Tatmadaw column of our presence. Sometimes, they could not find out a Tatmadaw column, and then they informed village heads and they sent message to the column one way or another. If we asked them to show the way, they used a difficult and roundabout way. Whenever we asked for what we needed such as food and medicines and shoes, they replied that these were not available. When we searched houses in the villages and huts on the farm along the way, we never found rice. They must have hidden their rice somewhere. At this, we realized that people were on the side of the Tatmadaw and against us and decided to enter the warm embrace of people.

Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan

U Than Gyaung is not here. But some of his men are here. According to the investigations, U Than Gyaung committed a number of crimes. He is also a terrorist, and involved in many narcotic drugs cases. We did not bring him here for security reason. If the ambassadors and journalists want to see him, we will ask for permission from the responsible personnel of the prison.

U Myat Khine of Maha News Journal and Kaung News Journal asked men from a group why they had exchanged arms for peace and if there were any pressures for doing like that.

U Aik Mone who exchanged arms for peace answered that he lived in Manton, Shan State (North) and formerly took charge as the President of the group by the name of PSLA. He said the group wanted and made since 1991. There was no pressure put on them. Once, the fighting and battles took pace among nationalities in the past but, it was not be like that at present. So they decided to exchanged arms for peace. Besides, based on the belief that the government could safeguard all nationalities, they unconditionally gave up arms for peace. In the past, people had to live today in fear. They find today that people are in peace. So, they decided to unconditionally give up arms.

U Myo Tha Htet of the 7 Day News Journal said that he had known that there were two groups that were divided and the eleven members were regarded as the ones who exchanged arms for peace and the rest was regarded as the ones captured. He would like to know why it happened like that. He heard that they were under good care of jailers and police force members at present. The other thing he wanted to know if action would be taken against them and if so it could prevent for others who would return to the legal fold in the future. As a result, he wanted to know what decisions were made for them and how actions would be taken against them.

Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan replied that the eleven members were the ones who returned to the legal fold of their accord together with their arms and the rest of them, 27 were captured. If action was to be taken against those who returned the legal fold and who surrendered would be decided according to law. He was in no position to decide. But, the ones who committed the crimes were generally leaders and the rest had to follow the instructions or orders of their leaders. They said that there was nothing like putting villages on fire. Thus, they were believed to have not committed any crimes except the leaders.

A private said that Lwetainglian headquarters had a restricted area where the stimulant tablet factory and arms production factory. U Thaung Htike of the Voice News Journal wanted to know what kind of arms would be produced at that factory. Corp Khine Win of SSA (South) Brigade 241 replied that he was sure that there was a restricted area and no one was allowed to go there. He learned this from some men on security duty in the restricted area. The factory was not so large and grand and he was issued two pistols. When he asked about those pistols and learned that they were produced from the factory in the restricted area. That was why, he could say so.