Date 18-01-2000

Ko Htun,

I am heartened to make contact with you. We have a lot to discuss. Our recent situation in the Kamaplaw region of the mountains is not good at all. It is likely that we will lose our base soon. The enemy troops, consisting of four regiments led by Colonel Soe Thein, are approaching our base. The name of the operation is "Tain Yan Naing". Their target is to overrun our base before Revolutionary day ( March 27).

Also, Thai authorities have sealed the border and cut off all the support lines such as food, medicine, and border crossing. We are facing many difficulties. We have been under attack from both sides. In order to please Rangoon, the Thai are targeting the "God Army" because we lived with the God Army. They report our movements to the enemy all the time.

Now they are pounding us with cannons. Our base is shaking like an earthquake while I am writing this letter. Many villagers have been wounded including kids and women. At least fifty-three are dead. If this situation continues we will be dead soon. I have to do something to stop the shelling as soon as possible. Our base was almost shattered because of the heavy bombardment. Please do something for us. Let the international people know that a lot of innocent villagers were killed without any reason. Try to pressure the Thai to stop pounding the region.

This might be the last letter from me because I do not know if I will survive or not. We have no choice left here. I have to stop the bombing somehow. Peoples' lives are in great danger. I do not care about my own life, but I care about the others'. I know that after the Thai attack, the Burmese troops will rush in and kill all of us, including civilians. It is a really bad time. If I survive, we will talk about our future. I need support from our comrades for our struggle. If they can arrange financial, intellectual, and material support to us it would be great. It is our national cause. All of us have a duty to do it. We have not sought any funding from NGOs or any other organizations. I will not ask for financial support for my own survival, ever.

Here, people talk about revolution as a seasonal job; it is very hard to find a person who has a long-term commitment. I see a sansara [cycle] of meetings, conferences, and publishing newsletters, under the name of revolution, again and again without improvement. It is not a real revolution. If I survive, we will give the revolution a new breath of life, with committed people, a new outlook and a new approach.

I support Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's non-violent means, because if she succeeds, there would be no bloodshed. It is the best option for our country, and we, the Vigorous Burmese Student Warriors (VBSW), wholeheartedly support this option. But we do not want to sit and wait in order to see the change. We want to do something significant which will catch the world's attention to push for change and save our motherland from the darkness as soon as possible.

We are planning another operation. I know a lot of people within our circle will disagree with me for doing this, including you, because this time we have to face the Thai military, not our enemy, the Burmese army. I have no choice, but this operation might help us to stop bombing, or else we all might die. I will assure you that we will not kill any civilians. If I die, please keep the attached letter for my parents; give it to them when we get democracy.

Faithfully to the revolution,

Ye Thiha
Kamaplaw Base
Thai-Burma Border