Why Did U Khun Sa’s MTA Exchange Arms for Peace

Did U Khun Sa’s MTA Exchange Arms

about the aftermath of the first surrender in the Lwe Lan region and of the subsequent surrenders that took place at the Hoe Mein

Headquarters and other locations.

“Let me give you only some of the highlights of the surrender

ceremonies at various camps, except for the first one that was conducted at Ho Mong Headquarters on 7th January. I think you’ll be

interested in that particular scenario.”

After the surrender ceremony at Lwe Lan on 5-1-96.

After the surrender ceremony at Lwe Lan on 5-1-96.

the ceremony the next day had been completed and all the weapons had been systematically stacked. Then members of the Military

Intelligence delegation escorted by U Khun Sa, U Kyan Hsu Shin and a few MTA leaders made an inspection round of the arrangements at the

parade ground. I watched U Khun Sa closely at the time. He was smiling and talking all the while and leading the way to show what had

been done. I couldn’t detect even a single sign that he was dissembling in any way to conceal his real feelings; he appeared quite calm and

relaxed. Afterwards he sat on a settee that had been placed on the stage to face the assembly. I saw him gazing at the mountain ranges on

the west where the sun had begun to set. He appeared immersed in thought, possibly pondering on his past or future, so I thought. But I

did not notice even a slight shadow of regret, sorrow or disappointment. He appeared absolutely normal and yes, even quite

relieved and cheerful. But put yourself in his place and think my friend. After all he too is a mere mortal just like you and me. So how do you think he felt? To use an extravagant figure of speech, I would say he was like a king, who was about to abdicate, wasn’t it?

“When the news of the surrender ceremony was broadcast on TV, I made it a point to watch it carefully because I had never seen U Khun Sa before.”

“The second surrender ceremony was held at Hoe Mein on 18th January. One thousand seven hundred and twenty-eight men surrendered together with 1096 weapons.”

Thanlwin River, similar ceremonies were held at Mong Pan, Lin Khai, Kunheng, and Namsan regions. Then other ceremonies followed at

Tanyang, Naung Line, Hpartan, Mon Hin and Mon Ha regions in the northern Shan State. The number of men, weapons and ammunition

surrendered up till 2nd April as far as I recall, roughly totalled over 14,000 men, over 8,300 assorted arms, over 2 million rounds of

ammunition and more than 4,700 assorted mines.”

“That is no mean amount. But even then it is being said that there are still some weapons and ammunitions left over and that

The surrender ceremony at Mong Htaw – Mong Hta – Pan Se

Sa himself foresaw this and requested the authorities beforehand to pardon any arms that may have been inadvertently overlooked. You

see some weapons and ammunitions were sometimes hidden and then lost track of and then there were other losses due to unforeseen

circumstances. He had made this request to forestall later misunderstanding if some arms should turn up or be unearthed later.

And as expected, up to now, weapons are being uncovered and found here and there. To my knowledge, over 600 firearms and 400,000 rounds

of ammunition have been found so far. In addition, some individuals or small groups of men in the border areas who were not part of the official

surrender are still straggling in to lay down their arms.”

“Excuse me a moment. What assistance did the government provide for those who laid down their arms?”

“There were a lot of them you know, but the Government did see to their welfare. It provided travel expenses at the rate of K2,000 for

other ranks; K3,000 for officers and K5,000 for an officer of commanding rank. They were also issued adequate

rations for the duration of the j ourney they had to make . The youth cadres received the same amount of cash as the rankers. Reception

much fear and anxiety over this matter even in our neigbourhood. How did you settle the matter of these children?”

“These children were mostly orphans found in villages or children of families who were really destitute. Yes, we did recruit children

from the age of 4 to 6 years. They would of course be trained later to become MTA members once they were old enough. Before our

surrender there were over 2,000 children between the ages of S or 6 to about 15 years old. When news of our imminent surrender became

known, relatives from villages in our vicinity came for some of them. About 1,000 children from more distant areas west of the Thanlwin River

remained behind.”

The surrender ceremony in progress at Mong Htaw – Mong

The surrender ceremony in progress at Mong Htaw – Mong

saw to it that they were sent home to their parents or relatives back in the villages. Even those who lived in far away places like T.anyang were

sent home safely. Everything was done systematically.”

“Then you must have had proper housing, schools and classrooms, offices and food provisions for these youngsters?”

“Most certainly. It was in fact.more than adequate. We transferred all this to the military authorities at the time of our

surrender.”

Chief Administrator of the MTA No. 2 Region Bo Mun and

Chief Administrator of the MTA No. 2 Region Bo Mun and

On 25-1-96 Brigade Commander of MTA No. 12 Brigade Mone

It’s nothing like the huge factories and refineries with smoke belching from their stacks that you see in industrial areas. What you call

heroin refinery is more or less, a small temporary shack with a canvas roof, maybe. Such small tents are the most suitable

because ventilation is good. The smell of the chemicals is carried away and dissipated in the open air and it also eliminates the

danger of chemical explosions. You can’t possibly process opium near human habitations like towns and villages. The smell is

noxious and such a refinery must have proximity to water, like a stream or creek. So, how could we

refine opium near our headquarters or near villages. And I did make it clear to you right

from the beginning that the business of refining opium to heroin was mostly carried out by people from the country next door.

Moreover, this processing has to be done as close to the border as possible and in deserted areas. In any case, since we were about to

surrender, so how could you expect to find heroin refineries still standing? Only a few tell tale signs remained. But believe you

commented that Khun Sa was selling the Shans down the river.”

“Those who are resentful and dissatisfied with the surrender will naturally blame U Khun Sa. But, I think, he not

only made the right decision but acted upon it. He didn’t try to wriggle out of the tight spot alone. He didn’t turn a blind eye and

ignore the rest of the MTA members. As I told you, he made meticulous arrangements so that the surrender would not lead to

unnecessary bloodshed and create more problems in its wake. As  soon the surrender had been completed, he worked together with

the Government to stabilize the region and helped to set up a civil administration. Only when all MTA units in the various and

scattered districts and localities had surrendered and there was

nothing left for him to do, did U Khun Sa leave Ho Mong. The Government on its part kept

On 29-1-96, Officer-in-Charge of Lwe Taw Khan Village

Ah Lin of Company Commander rank and 38 men hand over

permanently disabled MTA members, people who’ve lost their limbs, living in Ho Mong with

their families. They have nowhere else to go. So they’re still there earning their

livelihood with agriculture and livestock breeding. Previously they were supported by U

Khun Sa. After the surrender, he appealed to the Government to give aid and assistance to

enable them to make a living. The Government agreed and is still giving them whatever help

will talk ill, no matter what! At the time of your surrender, the NLD roadside soapbox

orators were at their loudest, ranting at passers-by. On one of these occasions they held

a sort of talk show in the form of Questions & Answers. They had nothing good to say

about the Government or U Khun Sa and his MTA. There were a lot of veiled remarks and

No. 273 Brigade U Lwe Cho and 135 men to give up their

(208) Sai Khan leading 142 men surrander their

Pein Twan of MTA Battalion No. 79 with 71 men give up their

witness. Because the Armed Forces Government pursued the right national policy it was able

to hold discussions and make peace will and the ability to do the right thing. Peace has

been achieved in most of the country because these conditions have been fulfilled. Then

there was this surge for peace that reverberated throughout the country. You know peace

cannot be had just because a single individual desires it. It must be the common desire of

the entire group or faction concerned, in fact it must be the desire of the entire

succeeded not just because U Khun Sa personally wished for it. It succeeded because there

was this consensus for peace among the MTA members. As I said, peace had been established

in the areas surrounding our MTA enclave and this had an impact on the people living in

areas under our control, in the areas we were operating in. U Khun Sa himself came under

this impact and began to entertain thoughts for peace. This coincided with certain

military setbacks and losses of the MTA, and also with some turmoil within the

organization itself. All this added to U Khun Sa’s wish to end the closing chapters of his

life on a positive historical note, propelled him towards a firm decision to surrender

unconditionally. The majority of the MTA members who had been hankering for peace approved

of his decision and they all helped and contributed towards the realization of this

reject the value of peace, not those who don’t appreciate peace. Peace is really

priceless. Looked at super ficially, there seems to be nothing very unusual or complicated

about an arms surrender. People might think it’s quite simple and straightforward. But the

complexities involved in making the arrangements, and the difficulties encountered have to

be experienced to be believed. Yet what I’ve told you is just what I saw, what I observed

and understood to the best of my knowledge. There are still many other factors of which

negative and pessimistic views to know the sacrifices made in blood and tears by our

any blood but nevertheless put their life on the line for the success of this venture.

Those who had to make their way through a hail of bullets and a path of mines to establish

contact like the facilitator and the intelligence delegation. We must acknowledge what is

clearly due to these emissaries of peace. Next, we ought to take into account the patience

and fortitude and good will exhibited by the leaders of both sides and even the MTA

people are bent on destroying the peace that has been achieved. Not only is lending a

helping hand in the peace process far from their thoughts, they are trying to sabotage it.

Just look at what the NLD is doing. Even a child would know that their plan to convene a

MTA members under the command of Battalion Commander Li Chan

surrender their arms to the Commanding Officer of the Namkhan region Battalion

are therefore intent on obstructing peace that: ‘Yes ! Our MTA was indeed involved in drug

trafficking and that we committed crimes. We don’t deny a thing. But today our  MTA

has done a great service to the country and the people with our unconditional surrender.

It is more than a simple surrender. It is a gift of peace, a peace that is significant,

absolute and permanent for the benefit of the people. It can even be said that with this

priceless gift we have washed away our past misdeeds.’ But to those persistent antagonists

who with evil intent are doing all they can to wreck the peace, I wish to warn them that

their crime is far greater than that of drug traff1cking and that they will go down in

justified. Peace is desired by the people as a whole this priceless peace that had been so

sought after and yet had remained so elusive through all these years in spite of all

efforts made. There ‘s no denying the MTA played a significant role in the quest for peace

and that peace now prevails in most parts of the country. I believe that these former MTA

members and the people share the common desire to make this hard-earned peace, a permanent

one. The picture is now very clear as to who really wants peace and who does not, who

worked heart and soul to achieve peace and who are bent on destroying it. I am convinced

that the time is now ripe for the entire Myanmar people to oppose and rid the country of