A blog by Burmese exiles in Thailand (Vimutti) has published photos of new military vehicles delivered to Burma from China on 15 January. The vans are the same model that was used to transport soldiers and prisoners during September's crackdown. However, Chinese diplomats insist they are working hard to get the Junta to negotiate with the opposition and to make efforts in terms of human rights. Kio, our Observer for Burma, comments on the situation.
Kio is a refugee living in Bangkok. He prefers to remain anonymous.
China's been
supplying the Junta with military equipment since 1988. They even gave them a
million-dollar loan to be able to buy the stuff, which is mainly heavy
artillery and military vehicles. The Chinese authorities have reason to want a
calm Junta. They don't want any trouble because the Olympic Games are on their
way, and also because they want to avoid an influx of refugees. That's why they
openly criticised the crackdown in September. That was a first. But at the same
time, they want to maintain their trade links, particularly to sustain sales of
military material. However, competition has recently increased, especially with
India, who actually
succeeded in selling fighter-planes to Burma last year. The trucks that
come through the Sino-Burmese border - the FAW models - have been used by the
army for the past 20 years. According to the blog that published these photos,
they were giving a ‘present' to the junta, probably in exchange for jade, teak
or farming produce."
Comments
Chinese Trucks
Submitted by Anonyme (not verified) on Wed, 30/01/2008 - 04:11.The trucks in the two pictures do not look the same. The ones on top are green. The ones below are blue. The shapes are different. Kio, please explain.
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Trucks
Submitted by Team Observers on Wed, 30/01/2008 - 10:53.Yes these are two different models of Chinese truck. The first are FAW trucks and the second is of the LIFAN model. Both are imported into Burma from China.
Team Observers
Chinese Trucks
Submitted by Anonyme (not verified) on Fri, 07/03/2008 - 22:33.About when were the FAW trucks imported into Myanmar?
Am I correct that the LIFAN trucks do not look very military, that is the color and lack of a cover. I realize many trucks can be used for different purposes.
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