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Bkk Post-Future not bright for ampu



Subject: Bkk Post-Future not bright for amputees

March 1, 1999
Future not bright for amputees
'We want a church, bibles and jobs'

The United Wa State Army's war casualties - some 100 amputees from the
battle for Mong Yawn with Khun Sa's Mong Tai Army - have been grouped
together in a newly-developed village south of here.
The official policy towards them is unclear but the feeling of hope for a
better future, evident everywhere among the people of Mong Yawn, cannot be
seen in the amputees' village of Ban Kong.
"First and foremost, we want a church for the village, Bibles and jobs,"
said one amputee. "We also need food and clothing."
Khun Sa, whose MTA was long reputed as the wealthiest, best-equipped and
trained ethnic army in the Golden Triangle, openly admitted defeat against
Wa soldiers in 1995.
"The UWSA is like a phantom army. They do not know death. They keep coming
back," Khun Sa once said.
During the three months of the most heavy fighting, UWSA soldiers dug
tunnels in the mountains to approach MTA positions.
"They kept on digging the tunnels even as the MTA fired at them. One died,
another took his place. That's why they lost so many men," Khun Sa said at
the time.
It took eight years of concerted efforts by Rangoon and the UWSA to dethrone
Khun Sa, three years of which were spent fighting over lucrative border
areas such as Doi Lang and Mong Yawn.
In all, the UWSA claims it lost over 1,000 lives and an undisclosed budget
while the MTA lost more than 500 men and 300 million baht over Mong Yawn
alone.
A private organisation based in Chiang Mai is working to provide these
amputees with artificial limbs so that they can work and live as normal a
life as possible.
However, the future remains uncertain. With the development of Ban Kong, it
is unlikely that these amputees will be able to join the mainstream village
in Mong Yawn and contribute to its development.
"The work given us is light," said the same amputee.
Ban Kong, located south from Mong Yawn on the Kok River, 40 minutes by
long-tailed boat to the Thai border town of Thaton, is ideal as a production
base.
Though there are several Burmese Army outposts nearby, the UWSA has total
control over the area. No one can approach the village by river or road
without being seen.
"Have you heard of the problems we have with amphetamines in Thailand?" this
reporter asked the same amputee.
"But all the refineries in Thailand belong to Thais," he answered.