One of the topics discussed at Mongla on the Sino-Burmese border between the United Wa State Army (UWA) and Union Peacemaking Work Committee (UPWC) last month was the reopening the BP-1 Thai-Burmese border checkpoint that was closed since 2002, according to a report coming from the Sino-Burmese border.

The BP-1 (Boundary Pillar #1) checkpoint, also known as Kiu Pha Wawk, was shut down by the Burma Army after a month long military confrontation with the Shan State Army in May-June of that year.

The government side appointed U Nyunt Aung from Commerce and Consumer Affairs Directorate as contact person. On the UWSA side is U Philip, introduced as Special Coordinator.

The BP-1 checkpoint connects Mongton township with Chiangmai’s Chiangdao district.

The UWSA’s Vice President Xiao Minliang also proposed 6 other items: assistance for road construction, license for 60 Wa trucks, national IDs for the Wa people, hydropower plant on the Salween, coal mining project and hydropower plant in Hsipaw.

The National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA)’s President Sai Leun aka Lin Mingxian, who is based in Mongla, meanwhile, proposed assistance for schools and hospitals in his area.

Both the Wa and Mongla groups have enjoyed ceasefire with Rangoon (and later with Naypyitaw when it became the new capital) for 25 years.

Speaking on the latest hitch that has delayed the negotiations between the UPWC and its ethnic counterpart Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT), U Thein Zaw was reported to have brushed it off saying: It is like the sifting process. Those that are small slip through easily. So the first three drafts were quite fast. Now only the few but big ones are left. So it is natural it is taking a while.