Burmese army cuts ration

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Media Release
Date: August 5, 1998

Burmese Army Cuts Basic Rations to Troops

The Burmese Army has stopped supplying basic rations to all its units throughout the country.

According to a military source at Nat Ein Taung on the Thai-Burma border, Burmese Military Headquarters in Rangoon issued an order last month stating that essential rations of rice, lentils and chillies would be cut to all units. 

ABSDF Foreign Affairs Secretary, Aung Naing Oo, says that although the order didn't state why the rations have been cut, it is believed the decision was taken due to economic reasons. 

"This is another sign of the impact of the economic crisis in Burma. For a long while the rank and file of the Army have had to supplement their food by selling their rations. Consequently, this ration cut will have a serious affect on the rank and file o
f the Army."

Soldiers have been instructed to grow food in their own areas in order to supplement the ration cut. In addition, those soldiers stationed in areas where they cannot grow rice or lentils are being allowed to look for arable land in other areas. To avoid t
he possibility of soldiers forcibly taking food from the people, the Army has said it will take action against commanders who fail to grow their own crops.

In June this year, the Coastal Region Military Command in southern Burma provided six million kyat each to regiments under its control to seek their own supplies of food. However, senior officials instead channeled this money into business ventures.  

Meanwhile, the Burmese Army has also said that it will halt the sale and supply of rice to ethnic groups that have signed cease-fire agreements. According to sources in cease-fire areas, the plan will, however, not effect the Democratic Karen Buddhist Arm
y (DKBA) which has carried out attacks on Karen refugee camps in Thailand.

All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF)

For more information please call 01-654 4984.