Burmese Troops Mutiny

[Rangoonp@xxxxxxx]

Burmese Troops Mutiny

January 07, 1999

SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST: MUTINOUS TROOPS BACK TOP ACTIVIST
6 January, 1999 by William Barnes 

Dozens of Burmese troops have walked out on their commanders in the Shan
state, voicing support for opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, sources
on
the Thai-Burma border say. The move will be a serious blow to a regime
that
has retained a remarkably united military front in the face of
international condemnation, civil conflicts and economic crisis.

Soldiers based at Mong Ton and Mong Hsat, across the border from the
northern Thai town of Fang, are reported to have left the camp recently
-
some tearing off their badges and allegedly voicing support for Ms Aung
San
Suu Kyi. Border sources talk of "big trouble" and of "some kind of
shooting".

Two companies from one battalion, and large numbers from another, are
said
to have left the ranks. Desertions are not uncommon in an army that
feeds
its ballooning appetite for recruits with often unemployed youths, some
of
whom are press-ganged into service.

However, one observer said: "Any breaking of the ranks must be deeply
disturbing for the generals. If this is anything more than a one-off
thing
it is very significant." Not the least of the generals' fears is that
dissatisfied troops will link up with ethnic rebels along the border or
dissidents inside the country.

The regime uses vicious discipline, but also rare perks, to retain the
loyalty of its soldiers. Yet economic privileges have been severely
eroded
by the country's dire stagnation and mismanagement by the central
authorities.

There have been several reports that battalions have been asked to grow
their own food. Even if in practice this usually means more forced
labour
and confiscations for local people, it hardly smacks of high rewards for
a
hard life.

Maintaining discipline in an army that may have nearly tripled in size
to
around 400,000 personnel in the 10 years since the junta was formed
appears
increasingly problematic. Many soldiers are known to resent the favours
given to well-connected, often Chinese businessmen, and the privileges
of
the elite.

Some observers say the junta will not talk to Ms Aung San Suu Kyi for
fear
of her potential power over many sections of the military.