DON'T BLAME THE SHAN UNTIL YOU'VE SEEN THE TRUE STATE OF THINGS

The capture of 1.6 million amphetamine pills, leaving 13 dead drug runners,
by Thai troops on March 22 has been a top story in the newspapers and on
Thai TV channels. As a Shan, it's too interesting to keep silent, for the
dead included men in Shan State Army uniforms.

But as an ordinary lay person, I believe the SSA is just a small
organisation with few areas under their direct control. Their system of
administration and control of their men might be weak. Even in an
independent sovereign state, where law and order is defined and people well
paid, there is still corruption.

The news also stated that the pills were captured 30 kilometres from the
border and an SSA controlled area. The Thai-Wa battle at Pek Sem on March
25 shows that not only the SSA but also the Wa are active along the border.
These Wa troops are under the supervision of the Burmese junta, who have
the resources and ability to control the border.

As there were no SSA troops between them, Thai troops have come into direct
confrontation with Wa troops. It's sure that there are some sections of the
border controlled by the SSA and some others by either Burmese or Wa
troops. The SSA might have the ability to defend some areas but lacks the
ability to control the whole Thai border.

The decision of the 3rd Army to closely monitor the movement of SSA troops
could be a good solution. Not only Thais, international observers with the
SSA and deep inside will learn more about the true situation.

I heard on the news that SSA leader Colonel Yawd Serk appealed several
times for international observation of the SSA and inside Shan State, but
with no response. With his invitations rejected, it is unfair to blame him
for the whole business.

An old teaching from the Shan elders says that "one should never corner a
sick dog". When cornered and given no choice, good guys are forced to
become bad guys. There are many thieves, there are many robbers, there are
many prostitutes, who have been forced to become what they are. We forget
that circumstances can change the fate of human beings.

Shan State people live in a state of misery in their own homeland. Not
enough food or clothing, no medical care or chance to educate their
children. They also live in fear as death is around every corner. Those who
have fled across the border to work in neighbouring countries have to worry
too, because it's not their home and they have no chance to become a citizen.

Observing the true situation could differentiate right from wrong.

Aik Ngo

VIA INTERNET