POCKET MONEY FOR NEW RECRUIT ( Kao-Wao ) January 22, 2003

POCKET MONEY FOR NEW RECRUIT

(Reported by Taramon) - Kao-Wao

Thanbyu Zayat, January 22, 2003 -- The Burmese Army has launched a campaign in Mon State giving Kyat 200,000 as an inducement to encourage young people to join the army, local residences said.

The officer of Light Infantry Battalion No. 31 addressed the public that it was impossible to live without the Army where robbery takes place very often in their town. “Only the Army is able to protect crimes in the community. If you want to become a soldier then just register your name in the list and we will grant you Kyat 200,000 as a bonus for recruitment used for your pocket money” the Captain said at the meeting.

“The purpose is to expand the military with this secret campaign in our city”, a Thanbyu Zayat resident said.

According to a local administrator, the Army is facing difficulty in recruiting people from upper Burma (known as A-Nyar). There were many young soldiers from upper Burma serving in the army in the past but many people from there go to neighboring countries for better employment and many soldiers desert and sneak into Thailand as migrant laborers.

Despite a smearing campaign, local residents complained that the Army confiscated vegetable and fruit gardens between Ye and Than Phyu Za Yat Townships in the fruit seasons. The soldiers set up their camp in the land they have taken from local people and they vigorously grabbed durian, betel-nut and lemon gardens in these areas when the food season arrived.