Burmese Military Buildup Continues
By Win Htein
Source : The Irrawaddy
September 18, 2001-Recent reports from inside Burma indicate that the country’s ruling military junta is beefing up its security forces, even as relations with its neighbors improve and internal conflicts increasingly come under control.
According to military sources, the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) has formed nine new Military Operations Management Commands (MOMC) in the past nine months, and plans to form six more by the end of the year.
The new military commands, numbered 16 through 24, are stationed at strategic points around the country, including Mongko, on the border with China, and Tihesal, on the Indian border. Two new commands are located in southern Burma, at Ye, in Mon State, and Bokpyin, in Tenasserim Division, and another is stationed at Maipan, in Shan State.
According to the source, preparations are being made to station MOMCs 21-24 in Shan State, where about 1,000 acres of farmland have been confiscated for each new command. He added that local villagers have been forced to provide labor for the construction of barracks.
"An MOMC’s structure is similar to that of a Light Infantry Division, with 10 operation battalions and many detachments, including artillery, transport, signals, and intelligence units. But (the regime) doesn’t want to call them LIDs, because they are worried they will be condemned by the international community," explained an ex-captain of the Burmese Tatmadaw, or armed forces, who recently absconded from the country. (A single battalion usually has 700 active-duty personnel, so an MOMC will consist of over 7,000 persons.)
International observers estimate that the Tatmadaw now has more than 350,000 personnel in active service, while Burmese military sources put the number at closer to 500,000. "There are now 327 Light Infantry Battalions (LIB), 197 Infantry Battalions (IB), 36 Military Intelligence (MI) battalions, 27 signal battalions, 55 artillery battalions, and 55 engineer battalions. Added to this are about 50 naval bases and 10 aircraft bases," enumerated a well-informed military source.
To back up this growing military presence, the SPDC recently purchased 10 MIG-29 aircraft from Russia, and is believed to have bought other weapons from China this year. SPDC troops continue to carry out offensive operations in ethnic areas, especially in the Karen and Shan States.
A nationwide recruitment drive is also underway. On August 12, the state-run Myanmar Alin newspaper announced that the Tatmadaw is urgently seeking new recruits. According to the announcement, normal pre-conditions have been waived, allowing new recruits to join regardless of their physical fitness or education level.
The standard monthly salary for enlistees is 4,000 kyat (about US $6), up from just 800 kyat last year, while high school graduates who enter at officer level are paid 9,000 kyat a month. Recruits are also promised private homes with modern furniture, and a family plan for married soldiers, including free education for their children. Opportunities for possible overseas postings with embassy-based military attaches are also highlighted.
Another powerful incentive to join is education. The military now boasts five academies used exclusively for the training of officers: the Defense Services Academy, the Officer Training School, the Tatmadaw Medical College, the Tatmadaw Technical College, and the Tatmadaw and Economic College."They are also planning to open a new Tatmadaw university that will grant Masters degrees to soldiers. This is called the Yangon Military University, and it will open September 24," said a Burmese academic who monitors developments in the country’s military.
The SPDC’s efforts to boost its military capabilities comes at a time when tensions with neighboring Thailand have eased considerably following an exchange of high-profile visits. With no other foreign threat on the horizon, and almost all of the country’s insurgencies under control, many wonder why the build-up is necessary.
"There are probably two points: One is to intimidate Burmese citizens, especially political activists. The second is to replace deserters. The Tatmadaw faces heavy desertion rates," commented the former Burmese army captain.
According to a confidential report, the Coastal Region Military Command had about 2,500 deserters during the first 6 months of this year. Three other commands reportedly had even higher numbers. Each of the country’s 12 regional military commands and 10 LIDs loses large numbers of recruits every month, according to informed sources.
"The opportunities in the newspaper are imaginary. In reality, there is nothing-no home, no education, no family plan. If they exist at all, it is only for high-ranking officers," commented the captain.
While distinctions among military personnel are significant, the divide between military and civilians is even greater, forming the basis for a broad class distinction."Military personnel are first-class citizens in Burma, and everyone else is second class. There is no middle class in this country," noted the academic observer.
Concerning ongoing efforts to reform Burma’s political situation, he suggested: "If you want to change this country, you must change first the minds of the military personnel, especially the commanders. Without changing the Tatmadaw’s attitude, there will be no real change in this country."
Win Htein is a correspondent for Democratic Voice of Burma, based in Oslo, Norway.