Tatmadaw columns retrieve MNDAA-seized Point 2145, MNDAA insurgents attack Laukkai

Documentary photos show capturing Point-2145,arms and ammunition and other seizures.

Nay Pyi Taw March 7

Insurgents of Myanmar Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army- MNDAA led by Pheung Kya-shin and Pheung Tar-shwin launched a surprise raid against the selfadministered zone government in Laukkai, local people, and Tatmadaw battalions and units during the period from 9 February to 18 April 2015 with the intention of setting up a liberated area. However, thanks to the collective efforts of Tatmadaw columns, the government and local people, they fl ed to border areas, and since then Laukkai has been under control to restore peace and stability.

MNDAA insurgents were still plotting to make Laukkai region their liberated area. So they formed the Northern Alliance to seize Mongkoe region, and if they got Mongkoe region their plot was to use it as the base in entering Laukkai region. However, because of relentless gallantry of hard-trained and seasoned Tatmadaw members who bravely charged against and struck and crushed the enemy and they fl ed and hid in the areas at the border.

Due to every failed attempt, MNDAA had tried again to create a strong base surrounded by concrete and wood bunkers and communication channels at Point-2145 estimated map reference (MG-717557) since early January 2017 by taking advantage of ground areas and closeness to the border between the two countries, according to ground/ air intelligence reports.

Tatmadaw columns started a step-by-step approach to attack the MNDAA insurgent groups taking stronghold the valley of Point-2145 on 19 January 2017. Up to 11 February, 56 waves of small and large clashes occurred, and reinforcement and administrative measures had to be taken to confront and control the enemy around estimated map reference (MG-717562).

The MNDAA insurgents simultaneously attacked a total of seven places—Yanlonkyaing police station estimated map reference (MG-813266), Yanlonkyaing army camp estimated map reference (MG-808268), Border Post BP (125) Junction estimated map reference (MG-815221), BP (127) Junction estimated map reference (MG- 799192), Shwehsin Roundabout estimated map reference (MG- 784214), Kokang Self-Administered Zone leading body member U Wai Hsan’s house estimated map reference (MG-778208) and estimated map reference (MG- 813197) near BP (127)—at about 2 am on 6 March 2017 with intent to attack Laukkai region again and to divert the attention of Tatmadaw columns at Point-2145. Due to the unexpected counter attacks by the Tatmadaw military columns and members of the border guard force, the exchange of fi re continues at five places including Yanlonkyaing estimated map reference (MG- 813266). Their attempt to capture Laukkai has failed. 

At the same time, the Tatmadaw military columns near Point-2145 attacked insurgents in close range with cannons, armoured vehicles and heavy weapons by infantry unit. The Tatmadaw could capture Point-2145 at around 12.10 pm, estimated map reference (MG- 717555) at around 2.30 pm and estimated map reference MG-717553 at around 4 pm. The Tatmadaw is carrying out clearance operations there.

In the Laukkai attack, the Tatmadaw could seize 20 burnt bodies of the insurgent group, 13 kinds of weapons including two RPGs and related ammunition. In the Point-2145 fighting, the Tatmadaw could seize six remains of the MNDAA insurgent group and six small and big weapons. There were reported deaths and injuries of some officers and other ranks of the Tatmadaw. Due to the attacks by the MNDAA insurgent group, many innocent civilian people including primary teacher Daw Pyar Hmi from Basic Education Primary School (Laungaechi), were reportedly dead and injured. According to the initial investigation, the attacks may include other combined forces together with the MNDAA insurgent group. Five members of Kokang traffic police and five people died and four members of Kokang traffic police were taken away as hostages.

With regard to the incidents, the government and the Tatmadaw offered MNDAA, TNLA and AA insurgents will be allowed to directly participate in political dialogues by attending the Union Peace Conference without necessary to sign the NCA if they release the announcement to abandon the armed struggle line. However, attempts of those groups appear to undermine sovereignty of the State and cause panic of the people and stability through various ways and means. It is found that restoring of peace through peace and stability for ensuring eternal peace will be far from the goal.

However, the government and the Tatmadaw in a patient manner will continue necessary arrangements for armed ethnic groups which are non-signatories to the NCA and insurgent groups by upholding the Six Peace Principles of the Tatmadaw until eternal peace can be achieved through the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement- NCA, according to a press release issued by the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services.

The Myawady Daily

Tatmadaw holds press conference at Bayintnaung Villa in Nay Pyi Taw

General Mya Tun Oo answering questions raised by journalists at the press conference.

Photos of the events are displayed at the press conference.

Nay Pyi Taw March 1

The Tatmadaw held a press conference on the terrorist attacks against outposts of Myanmar Police Force-MPF in Maungtaw region, Rakhine State, in October 2016 and insurgent attacks in Mongkoe region in northeast Shan State in November the same year at Bayintnaung Villa here at 2 pm yesterday.

Present on the occasion were Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) General Mya Tun Oo, senior military officers of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army), Deputy Minister for Defence Maj-Gen Myint Nwe, MPF officials, members of Myanmar Media Council, Myanmar Journalist Association, Foreign Correspondents Club and Myanmar Journalist Network, and reporters of local news agencies and locally-based foreign news agencies.

As regards the Mongkoe incident occurred in November 2016, General Mya Tun Oo recounted the historical background of the region explaining the use of the region as its northeast military region by Burma Communist Party-BCP which was active there since 1967, the defeat of BCP at the Battle of CiciwanTarpan in 1986 of Laukkai clashes in 2009, the Tatmadaw’s counterattacks to crush the combined attack of KIA/ MNDAA/TNLA/AA/SSA (Wanhai) at Laukkai region in 2015.

The general explained the attempts of about 1,000 KIA/MNDAA/ TNLA members as a united front to resettle in Kokang area and to set up a base area in Mongkoe and Phaungsai region in October 2016, synchronised forceful surprise attacks against Tatmadaw outposts at Mongkoe, Phaungsai, Mankan and Kyugok (Pansang) and Muse military and police outposts and 105-mile trade zone on 20 November 2016, the blockage of Lashio-Muse Road, the blowing up of roads and bridges, deaths and injuries of innocent people due to heavy weapon attacks, random light weapon attacks and mine attacks, and the losses faced by the State and the people resulting from the temporary halt in border trade due to armed attacks against the 105-mile trade zone and disturbances  and blockages made on the Lashio-Muse Union Highway through multiple means.

He went on to explain the Tatmadaw’s shouldering of military and security duties in a balanced way to safeguard sovereignty and territory of the State, restore regional peace and stability, ensure secure life for local people, and protect the State administrative machinery, efforts to restore border trade after re-controlling Lashio-Muse Union Highway on November 26, the crushing of the much superior encompassing insurgent forces at at the hands of the Tatmadaw’s counterattack, the seizure of the region by Kokang group in 1989, the problem between Pheung group and Yang group at Mongkoe in 1992, armed power struggles within the Mongkoe defence troops at Special Region 1 in 2000, the occurrence Mongkoe with full gallantry, the services of Tatmadaw to help local people and restore Mongkoe during and after the battle, and the current peaceful situation of Mongkoe. He then assured the Tatmadaw’s participation to ensure a straight march on the path to multi-party democracy and continued efforts to restore peace with cent per cent enthusiasm, adding, democracy practice does not accept armed conflicts or armed aggression, Nationwide Ceasefi re Agreement-NCA should be signed to totally stop all armed clashes and restore eternal peace, peace door is opened for the participation of all stakeholders in the peace process, and invitations are extended to take part in the process on equal terms.

The general explained Tatmadaw’s strenuous efforts to prevent smuggling of the country’s resources and its actions against drug production and dealings. He said that Tatmadaw and concerned authorities seized jade (estimated over 21 tons) hided in radiators and in chassis of the trucks smuggling jade from Kachin State’s Hpakant on February 9, 2017. On January 13, and 18, surveillance aircrafts spotted log heaps and trucks at the border of Kachin State and northern Shan State, and Tatmadaw columns conducted clearance operations and seized 427 tons of various kinds of logs, 75 trucks, eight saw mills, and four powered schooners. In 2016, Tatmadaw seized opium, heroine, marijuana and stimulant tablets worth over Ks-163.63 billion in 2016. Likewise in January, 2017, Tatamadaw seized 5.39 kilograms of heroin, 1.9 kilograms of raw opium, 0.03 kilograms of opium oil, and 130,000 Yaba pills, worth Ks-1.22 billion. On February 26, 2017, it also seized 6,500,000 Yaba pills worth around Ks-6.05 billion were seized near Bawa Thanthayar Bridge in Heho Township.

With regard to Maungtaw terrorist attack in Rakhine State, he explained illegal migration of Bengalis from Bangladesh and Chittagong into Rakhine State since British colonial period; the mass exodus of Bengalis again from Bangladesh to expand farming in 1869; and bringing of Bengalis from Chittagong in 1861 to build Buthidaung-Maungtaw railroad and their consequent unlawful settlement in the area after completion of the railroad; British’s provision of weapons to Bengalis in Rakhine State on the pretext of self-defense while they were leaving for Bangladesh through Rakhine State toward the end of Second World War; and Bengalis’ assaults, arson attacks, and killings of Rakhine ethnic village with those weapons, the outbreak of Alel Than Kyaw incident in 1942 in which over 20,000 Rakhine ethnic people were killed and other ethnicities were forced to flee from Buthidaung and Maungtaw to towns like Sittwe; Bengali politicians’ failed attempt to include India’s Assam State and Myanmar’s Buthidaung-Maungtaw (May Yu region) in East Pakistan [present day Bangladesh] during the years before official establishment of India and Pakistan.

With regard to increased Bengali population in Rakhine State, the general said that according to population census under the British colonial rule, the population was 58,225 in 1872, 193,884 in 1901, and 217,800 in 1931. And the population of Rakhine State according to 2014 population census is 3,188,807, of which Bengalis are 1, 090,000 or 34 percent of the population. Bengalis make up 90 percent of the population in Buthidaung and 97 percent of population in Maungtaw.

Bengalis in Rakhine State initiated Mujahid movement since 1947, said the general. They held Muslim Conference in the village of Alel Than Kyaw in Maungtaw Township in 1951 and sent an open letter to the government, asking it to establish the northern Rakhine State as Independent Muslim State as soon as possible. Bengalis resumed Mujahid movement in 1966, with the intention of establishing the entire western areas of Maungtaw, Buthidaung, and Yathedaung townships as a country with the name of Arkistan. However, because of offensives by the Tatmadaw, their movement collapsed in 1974 and they fled to the neighboring country, he explained.

He also explained violence and conflicts between Rakhine and Bengali communities in such townships as Sittwe, Maungtaw, Buthidaung, Mrauk-U, Pauktaw, Minbya due to raping and killing of Rakhine Buddhist woman Ma Thida Htwe living in Thabyaychaung Village, Yanbye Township of Rakhine State by three Bengalis on May 28, 2012. He also explained terrorist attacks in Maungtaw, saying that around 180 Bengali terrorists attacked Kyikanpyin border guard police headquarters at 1.30 am, Koetankauk police outpost in Yathedaung Township at 3.30 am, and Ngakhuya police outpost at 4.30 am on October 9, 2016 with guns, swords, spears and arrow-shooting slingshots (jingali). In the attacks, 9 police were killed, six police and a police’s wife, and a civilian were injured and 67 units of assorted arms and ammunitions were lost, he said. He also explained joint area clearance operations by the army and police to arrest attackers and recover looted arms and ammunitions, massive counterattacks by Bengali terrorists as well their arson attacks and accusing of innocent civilians as government informant and killing them. As a result, 963 buildings were reduced to ashes, 18 innocent civilians were killed and injured in 17 villages, he said.

These terrorist attacks were planned by the AqaMul Mujahidin group operating in Maungtaw by having links with RSO. The group leader is Hamid Kuhar, 45, from Kyaukpyinseik Village, Maungtaw Township, who completed a sixmonth training along with Taliban in Pakistan. He spread propaganda with video files via social media to continue terrorist acts in the region. A total of 744 Bengalis involved in the attacks were arrested but 68 released later as they did not get involved. Among the arrestees, 127 received punishment, 541 are being detained for questioning and eight died of their diseases.

Plans were made to round up and send 386 service personnel, education staff and their families in Buthidaung and Maungtaw who had difficulty with returning home due to the Bengali attacks by Tatmadaw helicopter to downtown Buthidaung for further arrangements for returning home. The Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services himself visited the villages of Maungtaw Township. He encouraged the Tatmadawmen, border guard police force members and their families and people’s militiamen and provided them with foodstuffs and consumer goods.

Some foreign media and organizations are making lop-sided reports about the Maungtaw incident. They accuse security troops of violating human rights on the Bengalis, the Myanmar government of repeatedly failing to grant free visits to the suffering Bengalis and investigations. Moreover, protests are being staged by governments of some countries, party organizations and Bengalis outside the country in front of Myanmar embassies. Then, the clarification continued on the formation of an investigation committee under the leadership of Vice President (1) by the President’s Office, an advisory commission for Rakhine State affairs with former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Myanmar nationals and international figures by the State Counsellor’s Office and an investigation group under the leadership of the police adjutant general by Myanmar Police Force in order to expose the truth about the issue of Rakhine State and rebut the accusations against the security forces. 

The terrorists still have the guns they made off with from the police outposts while hand-made bombs, home-made guns and other weapons are still being seized. From 2011 to 2015, Rakhine State saw 224 seizures of narcotic drugs worth Ks-11.1 billion. The year 2016 alone saw 61 seizures worth Ks-54.56 billion. So, the drug menace in the state seems tremendous. It is therefore necessary to take time to ensure community peace, tranquility and the rule of law. The Tatmadaw carried out stability operation step by step in the northern part of Rakhine State. Besides, combat and preventive measures against terrorists are being taken based on legitimacy, necessity, proportionality and use of force and firearms in line with the existing laws, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights-UDHR and International Humanitarian Law-IHL. Depending on the level of regional stability, the Tatmadaw brought down stability operation to Level-2 on January 1, 2017. Mainly, Myanmar Police Force and township/village administrative authorities have been working to effectively bring about regional stability, rule of law and regional development works as well as ensure normal functioning of administrative mechanism and public services like hospitals and schools, with the cooperation and support from the Tatmadaw. The Tatmadaw has stopped regional stability operation since February 1, 2017. Currently, the Ministry of Home Affairs is taking responsibility for security. And Tatmadaw would take harsh punitive actions in line with existing laws and military code of conduct if security personnel were found to have gone against the law including human rights violations in conducting area clearance operations.

General Mya Tun Oo then answered the questions of journalists, and cordially greeted those present.

The Myawady Daily

Investigation finds 10 Jan story of RB News Website fake

The documentary photo shows combined team conducts scrutiny over RB News in Kyar Gaung Taung Village.

The documentary photo shows signatures of village administrator and elders for story of RB News fake.

Nay Pyi Taw January 13

‘‘Tatmadawmen from a local battalion arrested and inhumanely beat CoriMula, son of Shaha Tula, in Kyar Gaung Taung Village, Maungtaw Township, Rakhine State, over the whole night of 8 January forcing him to tell the whereabouts of the hidden weapons. He then had to pay Ks-1 million after he was asked to do so if he did not want to be tortured,’’ the RB News Website reported on 10 January.

In connection with the news report, a combined team comprising departmental officials, Tatmadaw officials and border guard police force questioned CoriMula in the presence of officials, elders and villagers from Kyar Gaung Taung Village at 1 pm today. But, he admitted that he was not inhumanely beaten by any Tatmadaw columns and did not have to pay Ks-1 million. Then, the village officials and locals made him sign a letter of proof saying that there was no such a case. Moreover, CoriMula (whose photo shown above) was not found with any sign of being tortured. 

Moreover, Myawady TV and Myawady Daily had released the information that officials conducted investigation due to fabricated reports described by RB News Website on 7 and 8 January and these reports were fabricated news.

The Tatmadaw is carrying out restoring peace and stability in cooperation with responsible organizations under the law for perpetuation of sovereignty, ensuring rule of law, and regional peace and stability in Maungtaw region of Rakhine State and releasing information on progress of tasks on time.

The Myawady Daily

False news in UK’s Daily Mail the latest in misinformation

Archived images from the now-deleted Daily Mail post.

Nay Pyi Taw December 9

A news report in a British tabloid  claiming torture of a child by a Tatmataw soldier using a stun gun has been debunked, but is only the latest example of inaccurate coverage that has hurt the country’s image, according to the State Counsellor’s Information Committee.

The news article written by David Burke containing photos and video in Wednesday’s online version of the UK’s Daily Mail allegedly showed a “Rohingya toddler tortured with a stun gun by a laughing Burmese soldier as Burma continues crackdown on the country’s Muslim minority” that quickly circulated on social media was found to be false.

The incident actually took place in the Mondulkiri province of Cambodia, it is learnt. A Dutch man and two Vietnamese men have been arrested for the horrific torture of the child. A third Vietnamese man is still being sought. The story was taken down from the Daily Mail’s website soon after it was found to be inaccurate, but archived versions of the article continue to circulate on Twitter, Facebook and other social media.

The Information Committee of the State Counsellor’s Office noted that even though the story was deleted from the newspaper’s website, no apology, explanation or clarification was given concerning the accuracy of the report or the damage it has caused.

“The Daily Mail deleted the news without taking responsibility and without making a news correction for wrongly describing the incident”, according to the Information Committee’s statement. “Description of this false news, which did not actually occur in Myanmar, made misunderstanding of the country only increase.”

State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and presidential spokesperson U Zaw Htay have consistently stated that inaccurate, manufactured news that is being fed to international news organisations is being disseminated without appropriate vetting.

This has occurred, the Information Committee said, following the October 9, November 12 & 13 attacks on Myanmar security forces and after security forces carried out area clearance operations.

“Invented news with false photos and video recordings from other places are being spread among the people” according to the State Counsellor’s Information Committee.

“Recently, BBC, CNN, CNA and Al Jazeera described the false news based on unreasonable statements made by John McKissick, one of the UNHCR based in Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh” according to a release from the Information Committee.

The Information Committee said an appropriate response to the false Daily Mail report will be forthcoming.

The Myawady Daily

Detainees: Forced terrorist training and arsons under threat of foreign extremists

Nay Pyi Taw November 18

Four detainees suspected of being involved in the deadly 9th October ambushes on border police outposts in northern Rakhine claimed that they were forced to undergo the terrorist training and then join with violent attackers and set fire to their own villages.

The suspects, who were arrested during the clearance operations by the government troops and the border guards, made the claims while being questioned by the authorities in accordance with the law.

The testimony of the suspects revealed a systematic recruitment of members of the Muslim community in the northern Rakhine State by foreign Muslim extremists that was carried out by the intimidation and the threat of execution.

“They said that they would shoot me or cut my throat and kill me if I did not do their course. Twenty people from our village had to attend the course, which was conducted at the back of the Mayin Mountain", said Jarbuman, a suspect who was detained from Pwintphyuchaung village on 12th November. "On the day the fighting broke out, we fired to our villages and left. The group also had 10 guns and 10 swords”.

Mammud Iserlan, another detainee from the same village, said that the Muslim cleric at the local mosque acted as an organizer. The cleric told villagers that people from Bangladesh would come soon and we need to cooperate with them to attack the troops of the government, which would never recognize them as the Rohingya.

"He also said that one person from each household had to join in the attacks. Otherwise, all family members would be slashed at their throats.

They also told us that we needed to shout words like ‘Muslim’, ‘Rohingya’, ‘Nakaburi’ and ‘Wutsforce’. Courses were conducted in the valley. They said they waited a long time as they were promised the recognition of the Rohingya, but that never happened. When the attacks broke out, we were at our village with our swords. Some villages were set on fire by people who infiltrated from Bangladesh and some local rogues. Villagers had to take to the streets with swords when the attacks broke out”, Iserlan said.

Another detainee, Eielhar, who was arrested in Yedwingone village, said that “Muslim Bengalis set fire to the village on 13th November. I think about one hundred houses were burnt down”.

A fourth suspect, Sauduarmein of Kyaingchaung (North) village, said: “We were gathering people with swords, slingshots and wooden clubs to rob the weapons of the security forces. Before the night of the attacks, they took our elders into the jungle. They also put fire on our village and went into the forest.”

The interrogation of the detainees revealed that the violent attackers forced one man from each local family to join with them under the threat of the slashing death of their family members, according to the information committee of the State Counsellor’s Office. The detainees told the committee and interrogators that the local Muslim villagers were instructed to wait to attack the government troops with swords and sticks. The detainees also said the arsons in the villages were done by the violent attackers themselves, or by those under their direction.

The Myawady Daily

Info Committee formed for Rakhine issues

Nay Pyi Taw November 17

The President’s Office announced yesterday the formation of the State Counsellor Office’s Information Committee.

The formation of the committee is aimed at real time releasing of information related to issues in Rakhine State, according to the announcement.

The information committee is chaired by Deputy Minister for the State Counsellor’s Office U Khin Maung Tin, while Vice Chairman for the committee is Maj-Gen Soe Naing Oo, the announcement read.

Members of the committee are U Kyaw Soe, Managing Director of the News and Periodicals Enterprise of the Ministry of Information, Daw Aye Aye Soe, Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Police Col Myo Thu Soe of the Ministry of Home Affairs and U Zaw Win Aung, Director of the Ministry of Border Affairs. U Zaw Htay, Deputy Director-General of the President’s Office, has been selected as the secretary of the committee.

The Myawady Daily

Government refutes rights group report on Rakhine

Deputy Director-General U Zaw Htay talks to media at the press conference in Nay Pyi Taw.

Maj-Gen Soe Naing Oo.

A photo released by Human Rights Watch, above, shows widespread areas of burnt homes in Maungtaw that they allege were set by Tatmadaw troops. A photo of the same area taken by Tatmadaw troops in helicopters last week, below, show fewer areas of destruction. The government also contends that the arson fires were set by attackers. Photo: Human Rights Watch (above); Ministry of Information (below).

Nay Pyi Taw November 17

The government yesterday Maungtaw strongly refuted a recent report by a rights organization that accused Tatmadaw troops of burning down houses in northern Rakhine State.

A special press conference was held at the Presidential Palace in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday to announce the formation of an information committee that would be in charge of releasing information about the conflicts in Rakhine, but the main topic of discussion was the recent Human Rights Watch report that alleged government troops to has set fire to houses in Maungtaw on 10 November. 

Based on the report, the Bangkok Post published a news story on 14 November about human rights abuses, allegations that the government resolutely denies. The Tatmadaw True Information Team has also refuted the report.

Concerning the accusations in the report, it has been announced that findings of the committee from its field inspections will be released shortly. The Bangkok Post on 14 November published a news story of violent attacks by government troops in Maungtaw that started on 9 October, the same day that border guard outposts were attacked by armed men. Other media outlets also published the news story.

The State Counsellor, in consultation with leaders of the Tatmadaw, sent teams to Warpate, Kyetyoepyin, Pyaungpite, Dargyisar villages and surrounding areas by Tatmadaw helicopters on 15 November in order to take photos or to get a firsthand view of the situation. The Tatmadaw field inspection team found that 105 structures in Warpate, 30 structures in Kyetyoepyin Village, 30 structures in Dargyisar Village, 20 structures in Pyaungpite Village had been burnt down. Findings of the teams were displayed at the press conference that showed photos from Human Rights Watch as well as those from the Tatmadaw that seemed to show very different views of the same area.

The government photos show a much smaller area of burnt houses, while the Human Rights Watch photos show much greater devastation. The government contends that the burnt homes shown in their photos were caused by attackers, not by the Tatmadaw.

Yesterday’s news conference also included an announcement from the Secretary of the State Counsellor’s Office Information Committee. Deputy Director- General U Zaw Htay of the President’s Office said that a State Counsellor’s Office Information Committee has been formed by the president’s office. The aim was to release correct information about the situation in Rakhine State in a timely manner.

The committee will hold press conferences and issue press releases when warranted. Then, the committee responded to queries of the media.

Concerning the question on declaring the Maungtaw area as an operation zone and the use of helicopters in fighting, U Zaw Htay said that the area was declared as operation zone because of the violent attacks. The limited use of helicopters was begun because a commanding officer was attacked. Although helicopters can carry rockets and bombs, the helicopters contained only mounted machine guns.

He also said that findings of the committee will be released starting tomorrow, with the media allowed to cover news in the area in the same ways as diplomats were allowed to visit. A news team from the Ministry of Information led by a director has been sent there in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Home Affairs. Based on the security situation of the news team, private media will also be sent there, he said.

He also pledged to cooperate with the media for sensitive conflict reports in the future.

U Zaw Htay continued to say that the office of the Rakhine State Information Committee is opend at the Presidential Palace, with Maj-Gen Soe Naing, the deputy leader of the Tatmadaw Information Team, together with other responsible personnel being at the office.

He also pledged that the information team of the Tatmadaw would release ground reports in Rakhine State as soon as it is ready.

Regarding the challenges faced by the government in restoration of community peace and stability in Rakhine state, U Zaw Htay said out of 36 suspects arrested on 12 November, Mohammad Islam, 41, was living in Pwintphyuchaung Village and he, along with villagers, went to the fighting with the government troops. He added that Mohammad Islam told the police during the interrogation that the violent attackers who came back from Bangladesh set fire to the homes.

The Deputy Director-General continued to say that Sardu Armay, who was arrested on 14 November, told police that he came to Myasin Village together with villagers to fight the government troops.

U Zaw Htay continued to say that diplomats asked the villagers during their trip to the conflict areas whether they understood the writings on the placards they were holding, the villagers replied that they did not understand them and they received the writings from Viber. The villagers did not answer who sent the words to them, he added.

Maungtaw conflict was not a simple phenomenon and it was found that violent attackers are planning how to fight the security forces when the troops came to their village.

It needs to create an environment for peaceful coexistence of the both communities to get grid off the extremism from the villagers who were inculcated, he added.

However, it was found that it was difficult to solve the issue as the attackers are mixing with the villagers and it needs to take time to settle the problem, he said.

During the investigation into rape accusations in the conflict areas, local women replied that no rape cases happened there, he said.

The fresh conflict in the Rakhine State was the third one and instigators behind the conflict were linking with the international communities, he said.

Daw Aye Aye Soe, Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the October October- 9 attacks were considered instigating the conflicts as all denied the human right resolution proposal at the United Nations. 

Regarding the measures taken by the government troops, Maj-Gen Soe Naing Oo said that the coordinated attacks on the four border outposts on 9th October are considered infringing on the sovereignty of the country. 

In response to the attacks in which nine policemen were killed and 65 arms were taken away by the armed attackers, the government troops a still carrying out operations within the limit allowed by the government and in accordance with the international laws.

Regarding the using of a helicopter in the fighting, he continued to say that the troops were under attack from three directions by more than 830 armed attackers in which 30 were with guns and the remaining were holding machetes, spears and catapults. To disperse the crowd, the troops first used rubber bullets to control them and one commanding officer died in the earlier situation.

To save the troops and the injured officers, the Tatmadaw used the helicopter but did not use rockets and bombs following the Geneva Convention rules.

Regarding the reporting at conflict areas, he said the attackers were not in uniform and the troops could not exactly say where the camps of the attackers were. The security forces were ambushed frequently and the area was declared the operation area as it was difficult to ensure security and safety, he added. The troops are taking security measures in the areas following the instructions of the government and international rules, he said.

The Myawady Daily

Media lives forever, and its effectiveness helps increase its value in nation-building task

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing aiding Chairman of MMC U Khin Maung Lay.

Nay Pyi Taw January 25

Media is of vital importance for the country, especially during the nation-building period. Because of the changing situation nation-building task never ends, and the role of media lives forever.

Media activities remain as long as the world exists. Media’s effectiveness will help raise its value in the nationbuilding task. On behalf of the Tatmadaw I honour and welcome the Myanmar Media Council and promise cooperation, said Commander-in- Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at his meeting with Chairman of MMC U KhinMaung Lay and members at Bayintnaung villa here at 2 pm yesterday.

Together with the Senior General were Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in- Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Joint Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) Commanderin- Chief (Air) General Khin Aung Myint, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Tin Aung San, senior military officers of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army). U Khin Maung Lay was accompanied by vice-chairmen U Pe Myint and Dr Myo Thant Tin, Secretary U Thiha Saw, members and office staffs totalling 24.

First the Senior General and party cordially greeted MMC chairman and party.

During the meeting the Senior General said media is a broad institution which disseminates knowledge and technology for the public. I value media as I am also serving the national duties with the knowledge gained from media, and knowledge and teachings imparted by my parents, teachers and elders. Media will be much beneficial for the country if it is used correctly for mutual interest. As views may vary, information with correct date and facts is helpful. Knowledge, artistic values and news of the media are much helpful for the people. Literary development undertakings must be carried out through collective efforts for maintaining the public reader power.

Knowledge level of every single soldier has been raised in promoting the capability -- combat prowess and fighting potential -- of Tatmadaw. Media should help increase the number of educated persons in promoting the national education. As the country is on the multiparty democracy course media should provide knowledge on democracy practices. Tatmadaw promised free and fair elections during the preelection period. And during the elections and post-election period it has helped strengthen the multiparty democracy course chosen by the people. It will continue to work with the upcoming government in ensuring peace and stability.

Rule of law and ending of armed conflicts play a key role in restoring peace and stability. The Tatmadaw acceded for the ending of armed conflicts by signing the NCA and by participating in the Union Peace Conference for eternal peace. Ending the armed confl icts is essential for peace and stability of the country and development tasks. It needs to complete the DDR/SSR processes during the designated period up from the peace talks. Both sides need to uphold the Gentlemen Agreement. The Tatmadaw will strive for restoring eternal peace by adopting the policies on peace and stability, unity and development. Moreover, the Tatmadaw helps the government and the Hluttaw ensures prevalence of law and order. He urged the media to carry out constructive campaigns for ending the armed conflicts.

The Senior General explained the situations on building the better relationships with armed forces of neighbouring countries in line with the Myanmar’s foreign policy, with regard to AA insurgent in Rakhine State, and MNDAA and TNLA organizations in the northeast region, Tatmadaw employs patience to the most possible degree..

The secretary of the Myanmar Media Council reported on stand of the council and its endeavours. Members of the council discussed promotion of better relations between the Tatmadaw and media, cooperation in literature development, smoother process for release of information on the Tatmadaw and participation of the Tatmadaw in the national politic sector.

After the meeting, the Senior General presented gifts to Chairman of Myanmar Media Council U Khin Maung Lay and members and posed for documentary photo.

The Myanmar Media Council was reformed with 24 members on 11 November 2015. (100)

The Myawady Daily

The Interview with Commander in Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and BBC News Agency

Follow up from Previous Day

I suppose what people want to know is - if the opposition do win the election in November will the army respect that result and allow them to govern?

Whoever wins. Whoever wins- I will respect the result if they win fairly.

The Tatmadaw has been criticised for a lack of accountability in the past there have been case in Kachin state where 2 women were raped and killed and the local people blamed that on the Myanmar army and also in Karen state where a man called Par Gyi was killed. Do you accept that there is an issue of accountability?

That case was not in Kachin it was somewhere in Shan State. Our forces have their own disciplinary code. For instance we have 1959 Military Act which is taken from the British time. This is a very good one. We also have instructions and regulations. If a soldier offends he cannot escape - we take action effectively. Some people think we take things lightly in some trials. It’s not true. There are some cases where we took severe action. I’d like to say we take serious action. 

In that case of two Kachin women if they are found guilty of homicide they will surely get the death penalty - and for the rape case they will serve the maximum punishment. We will give them the maximum punishment. The military don’t tolerate these things. In this Kachin women’s case according to the evidence I believe that our soldiers aren’t involved in it. But we don’t have all the witnesses because some have fled because of pressure from the other side. If we can bring these witnesses we can get a clearer answer. If this result comes the action will be taken to those who are responsible first from a judicial point of view. From our military side we will take maximum penalty as well.

In the Par Gyi case we have something called “Active Service Time” - according to that regulation soldiers are protected at that time. In the Par Gyi case in Karen state that happened in a conflict area. He was captured as someone linked to the armed group. He did not mention that he was a journalist or a civilian at all.While he was under detention, he attacked the guard and tried to escape, he was shot dead. So this happened on Active Service Time so the soldier was protected accordingly. We did it according to the 1959 military law. If Par Gyi told them he was journalist and a civilian I don’t think this would have happened.

So I mention this thing because you asked about it. There are many cases where we took serious action- like recently when our soldier visited a house of an ethnic woman who he used to visit - and then he was accused of rape by the woman and arrested by the villagers. There is no evidence he raped her but to protect the reputation of the army and to avoid public misunderstanding we gave him seven years in prison. 

Our soldiers are not perfect. Men are difficult to manage. There’s also military rules and regulations in other countries so we are also acting according with laws. There has been many cases where we took action. So I would say it’s not a problem that we are unaccountable as you said. 

One place that’s been in the global news recently has been Rakhine State and the story of people leaving to go to Malaysia and Thailand - I was wondering if you had any feelings or vision for what might be a long term solution to the problems in Rakhine State?

I think your question is regarding the Bengali issue. The Bengali are one of the communities who exist in Rakhine State. There are some Bengalis who fl ed from Bangladesh to Malaysia. There are people who fled from the other side which is their own issue. This is Bangladesh’s problem. I’d like to stress this first. They have to sort that out themselves. Bengalis in fact - the majority of them are people who were brought into Rakhine during British time as labour. There are many descendants born from that generation - without control. They are not an ethnic group - as they are not an ethnic group there is no way they can get ethnic rights. But we can give humanitarian assistance legally. So they can get that aid. We are trying to solve this problem within the existing laws. First of all these people should stay in our country according to our laws. It’s important they respect the laws. Our own ethnic people and them must respect the laws in our country. We have citizenship laws - after they gone through scrutiny under that law we will decide on their issue. After all that there will maybe some country who will take responsibility.

It’s important that those countries take responsibility. To solve that problem these countries needs to understand and accept it. Our country is among them. I mean all the responsible countries.

In this case they need to respect the rule of law and there should not be people inside the country to create instability. Everyone should share this duty. We can only overcome this problem by this way. If there is any disturbance it could take longer to solve the problem.

UN regulations should also be respected by stakeholders.

It’s been widely reported that you plan to retire from the army this year - is that true and do you have ambitions to go into politics - for example if you were asked to  be President of Myanmar is that a job you’d like to do? 

First of all it’s not true that I’m going to retire this year. Because I turn 60 next year. So I will be 60 in 2016 from a legal point of view. It is also depends on politics. I’ve been serving in the military for forty years to become a Commander-in- Chief of Defence Services. I’ve lots of experience during this time. For instance as a military member I have to take the oath every day to defend this country, risking our lives. If needed we have to serve the country in any role. This is our national politics. As your question goes - if people ask this duty I will decide then. The duty of a soldier is to serve the country in whatever role. As a citizen of this country I’m ready to serve for the sake of the country. In our country there are qualifications of President according to our law- If I meet those criteria so I’ve got a chance. If I don’t meet them I have no chance. If I meet this criteria and the people demand- then I will respond to it. But what I’m doing now is for the interests of the country. A part from the people’s demands I have to respect the law I can’t overstep it. 

So just to be clear if in March of next year parliament asked you to be President you would consider it?

It is important that the proposal (is made) . Because you asked “if” I can only answer at that time. I can’t talk hypothetically.

I follow you on Facebook and I can see on your Facebook page that you like to go out - you like to meet people, you like to visit injured soldiers in hospital - you’re speaking to me now - which is a first for the Myanmar army. You seem very different from your predecessors - why have you decided to open up and make yourself more available to the public?

First thank you for following me on Facebook. In your very first question you asked about the reform process in the army and I answered yes. In the past the public didn’t know about some parts of the military. In my time I like to release news about the army to the public much more. This is part of the reforms. The people get the right information about the army they will understand us - that the military is defending the interests of the people and implementing the interests of the people and defending against the threats to the country. So people will understand and realise that the military leaders are serving in the interests of the country. And the army and the people will come together. This is something I’d like to see. I’m a military leader born from civilian parents so almost all the members of the army are born from normal people - there are some born from military family members. But even those military families are born from normal people. So we can’t be separate from the people. So as the army are born from the people - the people are like the parents to us. We always regard in this way and try and gain the trust of the people. So as we release the news on social media and through other media like Myawady TV and newspapers. I myself am in touch with the media many times including you. In the previous times, there had very little exposure to media - there used to be some press in the past but not at the one to one level. In my time I try to meet as much as possible now three times - I also met those who I should meet. I’m also in touch with many people in public because I wish people would understand that the army and people are together. This is what we are doing honestly. There are many fake accounts on social media that attack us. By opening up official accounts I believe the attacks on us will reduce - that’s why I’m doing so.

Now we meet - if we’d not met you’d have heard about me from a third person. Now we meet in person and we talk. I believe that you will have less scepticism of me - even if you used to have it. 

By engaging on social media people will know actually what we are doing and have a good image of us - and what we are doing for the country including you. What we are doing is a good thing.

The Myawady Daily , (Page-18)

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