CIA BUDGET REPORT

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Is this government agency report now available to the tax-paying and
general public?


Julien Moe wrote:
> 
> RANGOON'S DEFENCE MINISTRY ON ALERT
> ********************************************************
> Edited Version
> By Julien Moe
> 19th November 1999
> Rangoon has been performing very badly in the media but the regime is
> gaining  momentum in its efforts to have constructive engagement with
> neighbouring countries like China and India. ASEAN still has to decide what
> kind of policy to prescribe for the abnormally undemocratic member nation
> like Burma. So far the stand in ASEAN has been firm. The hostage crisis in
> Bangkok led the Thai-Burma relation to a  halt. Both regimes have been
> experiencing the aftermath effects since then.
> 
> On the other hand Rangoon has been using big bucks for its defence.
> According to the latest CIA report,  Rangoon spent  US $3.904 billion
> (FY97/98)  for its defence. To be in power, the regime has to spend the
> state funds mostly for the military expenditures. Most of the funds go to
> the intelligence services: spies and counter-spies. There are three military
> branches: Army, Navy, and Air Force. The army has been equipped with Chinese
> tanks and weaponery. The navy has been upgraded too. The air force has been
> upgraded with fighters  from China too.
> 
> In terms of military confrontations, Rangoon is engaging its army with the
> Shan State Army, the Karen National Union and the All Burma Students'
> Democratic Front. Troops' movement at the Thai-Burma border has been very
> visible these days. KH-11 see them on a daily basis. Tensions have been
> rising between Bangkok and Rangoon. The armies from both sides have been put
> on alert for nearly 3 months.One cannot forget  the sporadic conflict with
> Thailand over alignment of border.