New alliance designing joint Union Army

Written by S.H.A.N.
Wednesday, 02 March 2011 11:28

The United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), formed last month, has been embarking on
an ambitious plan to set up a Union Army to be made up of armed forces from its 12-member
organizations, according to inside sources.

The grouping’s military wing is to be headed by one of its vice presidents. The two vice
presidents elected on 16 February are the Kachin Independence Organization’s Gauri Zauseng
and Karenni National Progress Party’s Abel Tweed. (The president is Karen National Union’s
Mutu Saypo.)

The latter was on Monday elected as Acting President of the KNPP to succeed Hte Bu Peh,
who passed away on 27 January.

According to the UNFC constitution, a member organization’s top leader can only be in the
political leading body, not being able to devote full time to the duties in the alliance. “It appears
they will have to find a new vice president,” remarked Abel Tweed.

The head of the UNFC Defense Department is required to form a central military commission
made up of military representatives sent by member organizations.

According to the resolutions reached by the UNFC Central Executive Committee, the alliance
would draw up a plan to form the Union Army, as well as its regulations which will include strict
observation of international laws governing conduct of war.

The constitution also requires the Union Army to form 4 regional commands:

- The First Military Region    (Northern Burma)

- The Second Military Region    (Eastern Burma)
- The Third Military Region    (Western Burma)

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New alliance designing joint Union Army

Written by S.H.A.N.
Wednesday, 02 March 2011 11:28

- The Special Military Region    (to be designated later)

The UNFC calls for the emergence of a federal union. The current Burmese regime has been
staunchly opposed to federalism, saying it is secession in disguise.

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