[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index ][Thread Index ]

Khun Sa not sick, says SSA:



29 January 1999 

The Shan States Army sources have denied that Khun Sa is, contrary to
newspaper reports including one from S.H.A.N., bedridden. 

According to the SSA officers, he is healthy and busy building up his
military and financial muscles again in order to make a calculated and
dramatic comeback. 

"There are two units under his command, both of them junta-authorized
Anti-Insurgency Force, or Tha-Ka-Sa-Pa for short in Burmese. One is
commanded by Ltc. Bomon, 300-strong, operating in Khun Sa's birthplace,
Loimaw, between Tangyan and Lashio. The other is led by Ltc. Ma Kuo-wen,
250-strong, operating in the area between Mongyai and Monghsu. They had
been created by the regime in order to check the activities of the SSA and
the SSNA", said one officer who asked anonymity. 

Another officer added, "The Tha-Ka-Sa-Pa enjoys equal rights and privileges
with the ceasefire groups. In many cases, they appear to be enjoying more
privileges than the CFGs. The CFG convoys may be stopped at check points,
but the Tha-Ka-Sa-Pa convoys always pass freely through". 

One military intelligence officer was reported to have told one of the
militia leaders: "The ceasefire groups are at best our temporary allies.
But the Tha-Ka-Sa-Pa and the Armed Forces are one and the same". The junta
commanders have reportedly encouraged the militia to recruit another 400.
"Therefore, rumors spread by Khun Sa's insiders cannot be trusted". 

One observer, however thinks reports of Khun Sa's failing health are true.
"However, I'm deeply suspicious of Chang Hsu-chuan a.k.a. Falang, who used
to be Khun Sa's Chief-of-Staff. He is likely to be the mastermind who likes
to direct affairs from behind the limelight. He is said to be the junta's
chief consultant". 

END
/// S.H.A.N.\\\