Published December 11, 2005

Burma’s military junta, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), on 1 December, ordered its military commands throughout the country to stock up extra ammunitions and supplies in advance, presumably in preparation for any trouble arising from the reconvening of its ‘National Convention’.

Similarly, the commanding office of artillery battalions also issued a directive ordering its troops to move heavy artillery pieces and shells to secret locations by 5 December, according to sources close to the Supreme Command HQs.

It is not clear why the orders were given by the junta, but they coincided with the time the US was trying to get Burma issue discussed in the UN Security Council and put more pressures on the junta, according to Burmese political and military observers.

“There are some examples of the junta pointing out (?to its followers) the constant threat of the invasion by the USA,” an exiled Burmese army expert Htay Aung told DVB. “In this situation, it is possible that the junta is a bit worried and ordered its commands to stock up extra supplies and ammunitions. The other thing – the junta has reconvened the National Convention willy-nilly, however much people don’t support it. In some cases, some organisations didn’t re-attend the convention. Some ceasefire groups inevitably had to attend because they were pressurised greatly. Therefore, they could face some difficulties at the convention. If the ceasefire groups oppose (the junta) after they put forward their proposals, it is making advanced military preparations thus so that it is ready now – that is my assessment.”

Moreover, there had been reports of some disagreements between the army and the ministries during the relocation of government departments in November to Pyinmana Kyappyay region. The generals seem to be worried that there could be instability within the army itself and they had carried out such measures to prevent these from happening, according to Htay Aung.