Sept 7, 2009 (DVB), Officials from Burma's largest ceasefire group have gone into hiding in eastern Burma due to increased tension in recent days between the group and the ruling military government.

Troops from the United Wa State Army (UWSA), based in the Wa region of Burma's northeastern Shan state, have been preparing for possible conflict with the Burmese army following its recent offensive against an allied ceasefire group.

A number of UWSA officials and business owners based in the Burmese border town of Tachilek and have reportedly gone into hiding after fellow officials faced threats of arrest.

A Tachilek resident told DVB that a number of UWSA officials and people in connection with them were arrested by authorities and evicted from the town in recent days.

"Previously, the Wa used to be influential in this region and a lot of people claimed to have a connection with them to gain special privileges," he said. "Now they are being chased down and deported."

The leader of the 30,000-strong UWSA is said to be close to Peng Jiasheng, whose Kokang ceasefire group last month was engaged in heavy fighting with the Burmese army.

The eruption of violence forced around 37,000 refugees across the border into Thailand. Peng Jiasheng is now reportedly in hiding somewhere in the Wa region.

Sein Kyi, deputy of Thailand-based Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN) said that senior Wa officials based in other border towns have also gone into hiding.

"The Wa are only keeping one or two officials , non-important personnel , in the offices in towns such as Tachilek, Keng Tung and Mong Hsat," said Sein Kyi.

"This is more like a precaution to prevent similar circumstances to the recent Kokang conflict where people closed to Peng Jiasheng were detained by government authorities."

He said the UWSA has been increasing troop numbers in southern Shan state, but the tension in the region was low compared the town of Panghsang where the group has its headquarters.

The Kokang group was reportedly joined by around 500 troops from the UWSA during fighting, which marked the end of a 20-year ceasefire with the Burmese government.

Reporting by Min Lwin

Sept 4, 2009 (DVB), The United Nations refugee agency today called on China to allow it access to Burmese refugees in the country's southern border region fearing additional displacement from northern Burma.

Nearly 10,000 of the estimated 37,000 refugees who fled last week's fighting in northeastern Burma between Burmese troops and an armed ethnic group have returned from China.

A spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today asked for access to those remaining in China, and expressed concern that refugee numbers could swell in the event of fighting in Shan state's Wa region.

"UNHCR has called on the Chinese authorities to allow us access to the border area and has proposed a joint needs assessment so as to offer support for any possible unmet needs," said spokesperson Andrej Mahecic.

"We hope this request will be positively considered as additional displacement may occur in the region should the situation deteriorate in the Wa State of Myanmar [Burma]."

Burmese army troops have moved into the Wa region near Kokang, where last week's fighting erupted.

The region is home to the 30,000-strong United Wa State Army (UWSA), Burma's largest ceasefire group.

"Our people and the Kokang are on alert because they are right at our doorstep, perhaps, to set up temporary camps. People are afraid and some have fled," said a UWSA officer.

The leader of the Kokang ceasefire group, whose clash with Burmese troops last week ended a 20-year truce with the government, has reportedly fled to the Wa region.

He is said to be close be close to UWSA leader Bai Youxiang, Around 500 UWSA troops supported the Kokang group during the fighting.

According to the UNHCR, at least 13,000 people remain in seven camps on the Chinese side of the border and are being supported by the Chinese government.

"Although we have not been able to visit these locations, the reports we have been receiving have been consistent" said Mahecic.

The Chinese government, Burma's strongest ally, issued a rare rebuke to the ruling junta last week following the exodus of refugees across its border, urging it to "properly deal with its domestic issue".

A subsequent statement from the foreign ministry appeared to placate growing tension between the Beijing and Naypyidaw, stressing that border issues were the joint responsibility of the two countries.

Reporting by Francis Wade

Sept 4, 2009 (DVB), United Nations staff have been allowed to leave the Kokang region in northeastern Burma after being blocked by Burmese troops during recent fighting with an armed ethnic group.

Aid workers had been distributing food and helping locals in a poppy substitution programme in the town of Laogai in Shan state.

Heavy fighting broke out in the region between Burmese troops and a Kokang ceasefire group on 27 August, which caused some 37,000 civilians to flee to China.

Sources close to the UN's World Food Programme staff in Kokang region said that WFP staff in Laogai, along with aid workers from six other oganisations, had been prevented from leaving the region.

Authorities reportedly feared that they might leak news about the situation there and report human rights abuses committed by the military.

"When the fight started, all the roads and transportation routes in the region were blocked so they were trapped in a UN compound and couldn't travel into town for next two or three days until the fight was over," said a WFP source.

The blockade has reportedly been eased now and 22 WFP staff have been allowed to leave the region.

Other organizations with staff in Kokang include the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), World Vision and Association of Medical Doctors of Asia.

The WFP has suspended its operations in the region following the outbreak of fighting.

Reporting by Nam Khan Kaew