The Transformation of Ho Mong and the People who have begun a New Life

of

Ho Mong and

 the People

Headquarters?” are based on facts gleaned from conversations with a  friend who was himself one of the leaders of the

MTA. I came to learn 

that some readers after having read these articles with interest, now  wished to know more about the request of the American Government

for the extradition of U Khun Sa. They also wished to know about the Hoe Mein region where the MTA had established their headquarters.  This was a region that had gained notoriety through the many articles

that had appeared in foreign magazines and newspapers. I had not  mentioned the American request for the extradition of U Khun Sa,

because I felt it was of little or no significance. But due to the many  requests by readers I decided to delve into the

subject to accede to

their wishes. In March l990, the American Government declared U Khun  Sa an international drug felon and issued a warrant for his arrest

together with a reward for information leading to his capture. I think readers already know 

that just before the exchange of arms for peace  took place, this reward was increased to 2 million U.S. dollars. After

these various announcements had been made the Charge d affaires of  the U.S. Embassy in

Yangon, went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

and met the Director General of the Political Department in l99l to ask  for the extradition of U Khun Sa. The Director General replied

unequivocally that since no extradition treaty had been signed between Myanmar and the United States, there was no way this could be done.

Later, rumours became wide-spread that America would send in its military to seize and capture U Khun Sa. Our leaders stated categorically that they would not permit

any foreign power to meddle in the country’s internal affairs, and that they would defend any violations of Myanmar territorial integrity by a foreign military force. After the exchange of arms for peace had taken  place, voices from the U.S. and western bloc countries became louder in

their demands for extradition of U Khun Sa. On 22nd May, 1996, the U.S. Charge d’affaires again called on the Director-General of the Political

Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ask for the extradition of U Khun Sa. The U.S. offcial suggested that U Khun Sa be deported or made to leave the country by other means. He also said that all

expenses incurred in sending U Khun Sa to the U.S. would be bone by  the U.S. Government and that they would also dispatch police officials

as escort. The Director-General of the Political Department, as in 1991,  replied that there was no international statute by which U Khun Sa

could be handed over thus. So the diplomat replied that this time he was  not asking for an extradition, but for Myanmar to take action against U

Khun Sa in accordance with the country’s existing laws and judicial procedures and then to hand him over to the U.S. Whatever the U.S. 

said, whatever the reasons given, how could the Myanmar Government comply to their request and simply hand over U Khun Sa when there 

over U Khun Sa under any circumstances, so there was no reaction. To be quite frank they paid no heed. But of course certain precautions were 

leave the Ho Mong headquarters for the city immediately after the surrender

on for about another two months after the ceremonies to see that everything had settled down. Other leaders left Hoe Mong later. Some 

of course were given the task of remaining in Hoe Mong to oversee the welfare of MTA members and their families who had elected to settle 

there and also of the people in the region. Special consideration was given former MTA members who were

his headquarters since 1982 approximately, so naturally there was attachment. He was also concerned about his MTA members and 

families, especially the disabled as well as the folks in the region. He did not wish to see their lives disrupted. He himself had done the town 

planning and had it built according specifications. It’s only natural he  should have a deep attachment to

It would have made it worse if we had continued to live there Even now they’re quite persistent in their accusations that opium is still 

permit opium cultivation at headquarters. In any case the soil of Ho Mong is not conducive to opium cultivation. The natural environment 

part’. ‘Mong’ stands for nation, country or province. ‘Ho Mong’ therefore means the ‘Head or topmost part of the country or of the 

state’. It was just a small Shan village a long time ago. Mong Mong, near Hoe Mong, was designated a town and was shown on the map, 

only a small village, about 30 to 40 houses. After the MTA headquarters was set up, the houses multiplied and expanded from Ho Mong

to Mein Maing. This region was chosen for its strategic military position. If only there were good roads you could travel to and

from Taunggyi in a day. From Taunggyi to Linkhai is just 148 miles. Then from Linkhai to the Than lwin River bank, (the Tar

Sut Ferry Crossing) is 66 miles and from there to Ho Mong is just 37 miles. It’s not far at all. Then the trip from Ho Mong to the

border is just 45 minutes by car. From there to Mae Hong Song in Thailand is a two-hour drive. But there’s not much land fit for

agriculture. The surrounding environment with its thick jungle and craggy mountains made it important strategically from a military

responsibilities and began to implement construction projects U Khun Sa followed suit and began new construction works in the Ho 

families, he rented bulldozers and heavy earth moving machinery from Thailand to level the land. He had new roads and houses built at a cost 

of over two hundred and seventy thousand bahts. He did everything  systematically, in accordance with city planning rules and procedures 

and that was pretty expensive. The bazaar itself, built in proportion to  the number of households, cost over five hundred thousand

bahts. Then the old hospital was pulled down because U Khun Sa considered it too small and built a new one to replace it at a cost of over 24 million

bahts. This hospital was meant to care for the health, not only of MTA  members and their families, but also for the people of the region. In

keeping with city requirements a sports and track field was built. Teak  trees were planted to maintain the ecological balance and reforestation

was carried out. A large dam was constructed which cost 12 million bahts to generate electrical power and provide water for drinking and 

cultivation. Then to make it a typical Myanmar city, a pagoda, a  monastery, a Christian church and a school were built. He became so 

engrossed in construction work that he established an MTA Construction Department, actually a sort of construction team with 

necessary machinery and equipment, that was given the task of implementing all building 

projects. The work was not confined to Ho Mong alone. New roads,  pedestrian paths and schools were constructed for villages in the

completed, the Government set up a Station Hospital together with a doctor and 7 health workers attached. Four rural clinics were also set up 

for Ho Mong village tract. As far as education is concerned there are now 7 elementary schools and one middle school. A post and telegraph 

office and a TV relay station are functioning now. The Agriculture Department has also provided necessary staff, tractors, other farm 

elementary schools, one post and telegraph of fice and a TV relay station. There is also an ongoing project for land reclamation. Paddy 

seeds, fertilizers and seedlings for perennials have been provided for

the Governmant has been providing them with rice and salt right up to the

persent. There is even a plan to equip 129 of thern with  prosthetic limbs.

famous. Foreginers were also interested in U Khun Sa and his

headquarters. So, I think, now is the time to allow foreigners to come and visit, like tourists, you know. I think it will bring in an

beauty of mountains and forests. But it might attract tourists as the

conditions are no longer the same. It is now under civil government administration and has become a peaceful

the Government issued National Registration Cards to each

member together with a certain amount of cash and rations. Most returned to their villages or the villages of their spouses.

In the Tantyan, Naungline, Pahpan area, former Brigade Commander U Sai Mon has gathered together a group of his men

and are engaged in agriculture and livestock breeding. Then in Mon Hin/Mon Ha U Law Mar and his group who are natives of the

region elected to settle there. The military authorities, with full trust in them have formed them into a People’s Militia and have

even equipped them with a few weapons. There are also a few others around

Taunggyi/ Namsan / Kunheng who have chosen to

live there. The Government has set up a new village in Kathai Kwin for some others and have given them land for

establish enterprises like gem and mineral exploration and some are in  the fishery business. Then there are those in trade as well as in the 

construction business. Immediately after the surrender they were of  course in a state of bewilderment and at a loss as to what to do. But 

helping not only the former MTA members but also the local populace in the villages to make their lives easier. They give all the economic and 

social assistance they can at all levels regional. sub-regional, group-wise and individuals. You can’t possibly expect the government 

responsibility, since there are 17 armed groups that have made peace and the number of people involved is enormous. You know,

listening to you, I’m beginning to feel this urge to visit Ho Mong.Circumstances permitting, I think I would like to go with you one

set in natural surroundings of unsurpassed beauty. It will make

you wish you could live there to commune with nature. You’ll see when you get there. I plan to go there quite often, so come along

cheroot and while puffmg on it, he gazed into the far distance. It

was hard to tell whether his thoughts had led him back to Ho Mong or whether he was in a brown study over past memories. One

thing however was clear. He was pondering deeply over something. So, reluctant to disturb him with further questions, I

got up and came away as quietly as I could. But my own thoughts lingered on the

world-wide, but it had earned not fame but infamy. Today the region is under the control of the Government and subject to the

laws of the country with no involvement whatsoever with narcotic

drugs. It has been totally transformed and no past shadow hangs over it. The same can be said of U Khun Sa and his men. They

have turned over a new leaf and are living within the law under the protection of the Government. They are rebuilding their lives and

earning an honest living in lawful trade and other enterprises in various regions. Whatever the accusations made against them by

some countries, the people know the true situation and gradually the world will also come to acknowledge the truth. In my view the

Ho Mong region, once notorious as a centre of narcotic production and trade, will one day become an important doorway