SS Army Defies Junta's Call to Knuc

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Subject: SS Army Defies Junta's Call to Knuckle Under 


SHAN STATES ARMY DEFIES JUNTA'S CALL TO KNUCKLE UNDER 

S.H.A.N. , 22 Octobe 1998 

Despite the ruling military junta's insistence that all the armed groups 
toe the line, meaning its line, the Shan States Army seems to have chosen 
to stand alongside the opposition. 

Its statement No: 10 / 98, dated 16 October 1998, made clear that it fully 
supported the Committee Representing the People's Parliament. 

With the dry season approaching, a new offensive against the Shans have
started. 
Ten battalions were reported to be on a mission to hunt down
Commander-in-Chief 
Yawdserk and his mobile HQ. As a result, 42 of his members, according to 
the Rangoon paper, the New Light of Myanmar, surrendered to the junta troops. 

However, the SSA alone could not take the credit of having deserters. 
According to insiders, the junta's Northeastern Command alone recorded 514
deserters 
during its first four months of the year 1998. The highest desertion was from 
Lt. C San Aung's 45th Infantry in Kutkhai.

S.H.A.N. (Shan Herald Agency for News) 
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