The government and Tatmadaw (defence services) will not agree if Free Burma Rangers come in Rakhine State in an unlawful manner, said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun, Secretary of Tatmadaw True News Information Team.
Free Burma Rangers formed with the purpose of rendering assistances including medical treatment to the displaced persons during the armed conflicts are preparing to provide assistance to the displaced persons in Rakhine State, said Director David Eubank to RFA News Agency.
“The role of Free Burma Rangers is to provide assistance to the refugees whoever they are friends or enemies. Rakhine branch of Free Burma Rangers is in preparation,” said David Eubank.
“As far as I know, Free Burma Rangers highlight their assistance to be provided to refugees. I would like to mention that outside assistances should be provided to the refugees whoever they are in accord with rules and regulations. We have to sign MoU or MoA with them with the recommendations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement. After that assistances can be officially provided. Different organizations are coming in Rakhine State. When non-Rakhine people living in Rakhine State are in conflict in Rakhine State, INGOs provided one-sided support. Accordingly, protests occurred in Sittwe.
“In this state, Tatmadaw’s stance is to legitimately provide assistance. Any organization must legalize assistance after signing MoU. The government formed a committee for stability of Rakhine State. The government is providing assistance as much as it can. For that reason, the government and Tatmadaw (defence services) will not agree in principle if Free Burma Rangers come in Rakhine State in an unlawful manner,” said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun.
According to ground evidences, photo records were found that Free Burma Rangers give military trainings, provide military uniforms and assist weapons. It is supposed that Free Burma Rangers may interfere in military affairs. If it comes in Rakhine State for military reason, it will be worse in peace and stability of Rakhine State, said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun.
“Free Burma Rangers may be in Kachin State. The evidences showed Free Burma Rangers entered in Kayin State. When we launched military operations in Kayin State, we often seized the photo records which showed military trainings and military uniforms were provided. We hardly saw health and social assistance that Free Burma Rangers provided. We find that Free Burma Rangers are conducting military trainings and providing military uniforms and weapons. It includes former war veterans and amateur privates. The militants are also found and they are giving trainings. Photo records were also confiscated. Although Free Burma Rangers highlights refugees, it is supposed that it may interfere in military affairs. If it aims like so, the conflict happening in Rakhine State may worsen. This area is not theirs and it does not belong to them. Their aim is to escalate the momentum of the conflict. With this aim if they come in Rakhine State, it will be likely to worse the situation in peace and stability in Rakhine State, said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun.
The clashes taking place between Tatmadaw and the AA as of the end of December in 2018 displaced more than 30,000 local people in Rakhine State, according to the statement of the CSOs.
The founding of Free Burma Rangers has turned 25 years. There are about 300 branches of Free Burma Rangers which former special forces abroad gave trainings during this period of 25 years.
Translated and Edited by Win Htut
