The crumbling cease-fire agreements between the junta and non-Burma ethnic groups

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Fears of Violence Renewed Along China-Burma Border

Armed ethnic groups in rural Burma face a choice on Wednesday - join a
government militia, or be outlawed and face possible attack. The standoff
between the two sides has renewed fears of violence along the China-Burma
border.

Burma's military government keeps tight control over most of the country.
But along the border with Thailand and China, armed ethnic groups are
effectively in charge. The most powerful rebels are refusing to bow to
the government's pressure to join a state-run border defense force ahead
of national elections later this year.

Aung Kyaw Zaw, a former rebel based on the Chinese side of the border,
says the biggest group - the United Wa State Army - is preparing for a
long war. He says leaders of the Wa do not want to fight, but they feel
the government has left them little choice.