Press Conference on returning to legal fold and capture of members of Brigade 241 led by Sao Khun Kyaw from SSA (South) held

Yangon, 19 Jan —The press conference (1/2006) of the Information Committee of the State Peace and Development Council on matters related to the returning to the legal fold and arrest of the members of Brigade 241 led by Sao Khun Kyaw from SSA (South) who were totally opposed by local national races was held at the city hall of Lashio in Shan State (North) on 17 January.

It was attended by Chairman of the Information Committee of the State Peace and Development Council Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Maj-Gen Khin Aung Myint of the Ministry of Defence, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Thu, Deputy Commander of North-East Command Brig-Gen Hla Myint, senior military officers, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps to the Union of Myanmar Philippine Ambassador Mme Phoebe A Gomez and ambassadors, charges d’affaires and resident representatives from UN agencies in Yangon, members of the Information Committee, local authorities, Patron of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club U Hla Htway, President U Sao Kai Hpa and members, townselders and others.

Likewise, an arrested insurgent group under control of commanding officer Sai Phone (a) Phone Tint led by Thangyaung (a) Sao Khun Kyaw of Brigade No 241 of SSA (South) and surrendered Sgt Tun Kyaw and group also attended it.

Also present on the occasion were U Kan Na, U Gon Khae, U Sai Ku, U Lauk Lyan, U Aik Mone who had unconditionally exchanged arms for peace, U Yan Kyee Myint of Kokang Special Region-1 of Shan State  (North), U Ar Phone of Special Region-2, U Kaung Taing of Special Region-3, U Zaw Hsaing and U Zaw Yun of Special Region-5, who had returned to the legal fold and U Saing Mon of Mangpan regional militia group, U Kyaw Myint and members of Pangsae region militia group and local residents.

Chairman of the Information Committee of the State Peace and Development Council Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan clarified matters related to the returning to the legal fold and arrest of the members of Brigade 241 led by Sao Khun Kyaw from SSA (Southern Part) who were totally opposed by local national races. (The Minister for Information’s clarification was reported separately.)

Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Hla Myint clarified the incidents that Than Gyaung (a) Sao Khun Kyaw and party of SSA (Southern Part) who entered the area of North-East Command were arrested by Tatmadaw columns and local people, and matters related to the returning to the legal fold and seizures for which the local people did not support. (Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Hla Myint’s clarification was reported separately.)

Next, Information Committee Chairman Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, North-East Command Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Hla Myint and officials answered the queries raised by diplomats and journalists at home and abroad, and the press conference 1/2006 concluded at 4.30 pm. After the press conference, Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan cordially greeted those present, and answered the further questions.

Afterwards, diplomats and journalists at home and abroad viewed the documentary photos of arms and ammunition from the arrested insurgent group of brigadier Than Gyaung (a) Sao Khun Kyaw of SSA (S) Brigade 241 in the area of North-East Command, and those who returned to legal fold, arms and accessories of brigadier Than Gyaung (a) Sao Khun Kyaw of SSA (S) Brigade 241 and party arrested on 2 January, photos of arms, ammunition and accessories from the former headquarters of SSNA Brigade 6 near Moneyin Village seized on 15 January, acting on further information of the local people who desired for peace opposing the destructive acts, the documentary photos of Bo Kya Htaw and party of SSA Ywet Sit insurgent group who exchanged arms for peace in the area of Triangle Region Command, the photos showing drug production and dealings, destruction of village, forced recruitment of SSA (South) Ywet Sit Group, the map reference of SSA (S) Ywet Sit’s Brigade 241 led by Than Gyaung (a) Sao Khun Kyaw who entered the area of the command, the groups who unconditionally exchanged arms for peace, the documentary photos showing arms and ammunition of brigadier Than Gyaung (a) Sao Khun Kyaw and party of SSA (S) Brigade 241 seized in the area of North-East Command, the communication machine, papers, jewellery and currency notes of brigadier Than Gyaung (a) Sao Khun Kyaw and party of SSA (S) Brigade 241 who entered the area of North-East Command, and documentary photos of an interview of Myawady TV with those from SSA (S) Brigade 241 who returned the legal fold.