Kingdom has role to play in peace in Myanmar

Assault on Shan raises questions about seriousness of Nay Pyi Taw's commitment to cease-fires with ethnic groups

Nobody thinks it will be easy, but Myanmar must live up to its stated commitments if peace is to prevail between its military and the country's ethnic armies. Just days ago, more than 1,000 Shan villagers from at least 16 villages in Yangyan township were forced to flee their homes to escape fighting between government troops and the Shan State Army-North (SSA-North), a rebel outfit that re-entered a cease-fire agreement with the government in January 2012.

Reportedly, this latest round of clashes started when government troops ordered the SSA-North to withdraw from two strategic mountains. The rebels refused and the latest clashes are the result.

The Shan Human Rights Foundation has accused the government troops of planting landmines and committing human-rights abuses against villagers. The accusation is all-too familiar, echoing decades of similar reports over the past two decades.

Old habits die hard. Myanmar has committed itself to a new political course, and the international community, including Thailand, has a moral obligation to see to it that the government stays this course.

Thailand has long suffered collateral damage due to its neighbour's domestic conflict. From the influx of refugees to being hit by stray bullets and mortar shells, Thailand has had to cope with many problems stemming from Myanmar's internal strife.

This doesn't mean that Thailand should shut the door on the fleeing villagers. The reason for accepting refugees on our soil shouldn't be that we are afraid of what the international community might think; we should give them safe haven because it is the humane thing to do.

Thailand is not exactly squeeky-clean when it comes to Myanmar's internal conflict. It is an open secret that the Thai and Burmese security forces have used the ethnic armies along the common border as a buffer. Needless to say, this approach reflected the historical mistrust between the two capitals.

The recent assault on the Shan rebels and the affect that it has had on ordinary villagers raises questions over whether Myanmar is serious about peace with its ethnic minorities.

History suggests that Myanmar is using this opportunity - this half-baked cease-fire - to reposition itself militarily.

"If they keep reinforcing their troops, it may lead to a major offensive. And the cease-fire could break down," SSA-North spokesman Major Sai Hla was quoted in The Irrawaddy as saying.

He pointed out that there have been about 100 clashes between the two sides in recent years, even after they agreed to observe a cease-fire.

According to The Irrawaddy, observers speculate that the Myanmar government wants to use the contested geographical area currently occupied by the Shan rebels to prepare a military offensive against the 20,000-strong United Wa State Army (UWSA), an ethnic army that entered into a cease-fire with the military government of what was then known as Burma in 1989.

But the fact that the Wa and the Army stopped shooting at each other doesn't mean they like each other.

Over the years, the junta has used the UWSA to offset the influence of the Thai security forces along the border. The UWSA, it seems, has outlived its usefulness, as the security apparatus in the country seeks to take fuller control of their country's border.

Moreover, with three UWSA regiments on the Thai border, as well as hundreds of thousands of villagers living in Wa-controlled areas, one can be sure that Thailand, once again, will be on the receiving end if and when an all-out offensive between the UWSA and the Myanmar government erupted.

Peace in Myanmar is good for Thailand. Bangkok has a moral obligation, as well as political interest, to see to it that peace prevails in the country.

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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/04/14/kingdom-has-role-to-play-in-peace-in-myanmar/