"...Burma?s military regime is facing a formidable challenge from ethnic rebel groups that are refusing to kowtow to its order that they join the South-east Asian country?s army as border guard forces. The junta?s order that the five armed groups in the country?s northern and eastern borders meet an Apr. 28 deadline is a test of how far the oppressive regime can flex its political muscle ahead of a promised general election later this year. For now, at least, the defiance showed by the ethnic groups - the most powerful of which is the United Wa State Army (UWSA) that has a troop strength of over 20,000 ? confirms the limits of the junta?s political powers, say analysts. After all, the latest deadline is the fifth since April last year, when the junta first ordered armed minority groups to transform into a border guard force..."