The breakaway faction of the Shan State Nationalities People’s Liberation Organisation has reportedly entered talks with the Shan State Army-South over the possibility of joining forces.

The small 100-man SSNPLO splinter group fled Shan State and the remainder of their rebel outfit last month as they feared disarmament at the hands of the Burmese military. The group later arrived in Karenni territory and said they wanted to continue their armed fight against the Burmese military.

SSNPLO secretary major Thurien said that talks with the SSA-S over joining forces were already underway.

“They have offered to let us join them. At the moment, we are still holding negotiations,” major Thurien said.

SSA-S spokesperson Sai Lao Hseng said that since it was important for groups opposing the State Peace and Development Council to cooperate with each other in the fight against the Burma Army, the group had not hesitated to ask the SSNPLO faction to join them.

“They are a group that is involved in an armed revolution against the government because of issues related to Shan State and they basically have the same focus as us,” Sai Lao Hseng said.

He added that the two groups had already agreed on an exchange of representatives and a number of practical arrangements for the SSNPLO troops.


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Also See

http://www.mongloi.org/news/2007_007_16/
http://www.khitpyaing.org/news/july_2007/16-7-07e.php