An interview with CDM captain Zin Yaw about the military council’s recalling CDM staff.
The military council announced on 12 July that civil servants previously blacklisted for joining the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) after the coup could opt to return to their workplaces.
The statement from the military council indicated that depending on the reasons for leaving the workplace, the military council will drop charges against blacklisted civil servants and allow them to resume their duties as civil servants.
Than Lwin Times interviewed CDM captain Zin Yaw about the military council’s invitation for CDM civil servants to return to their workplaces and the crisis being faced by the military.
Q: First of all, why did the military council decide to issue a statement inviting CDM participants back, despite the country facing ongoing offensives more than three years after the coup? What’s your view on this development?
A: The military has recognized that CDM activities have dealt the most significant blow to its operations during the three years since the coup. The military has begun pressuring remaining CDM staff in the country to repay loans. CDM staff no longer receive aid in the long run. Some CDM staff are struggling to make ends meet, and the military council is aware of this weakness. They had been working as civil servants for many years. Following the coup, they chose to join the CDM because they no longer wanted to be seen as supporters of the military government. The military council faces a decline in staff strength. That’s why, the military council issued this statement.
Q: Does the military council’s invitation to blacklisted CDM staff include those from education, health and other sectors, especially defected soldiers?
A: I think this include the staff who were fired during the tenure of the National League for Democracy (NLD)-led government, including the blacklisted CDM staff. Military officials were dismissed from the army due to the violence that surfaced under international pressure and was exposed by the media, compelling them to take action. Such officials will be utilized. I guess all these people will be involved in it.
Q: Currently, the military council is facing strong offensives in Arakan State, northern Shan State and Mandalay Region. So, can we say that the military council is considering accepting the CDM soldiers back?
A: Among the CDM staff, the generals hate CDM soldiers very much. All CMD staff have a clear view on this matter. Only a very small number of CDM staff remain quiet. Our CDM staff have been actively participating in the revolution against the junta through various means. In doing so, some CDM staff have taken up arms, while others have shared information through social media. Generals have a deep aversion towards CDM military officers and other ranks. It is absolutely impossible for them to take the CDM soldiers back.
Q: Could the defection of soldiers ranging from privates to officers from the Ministry of Defense and civil servants to the public, significantly impact the military council’s operations? May I know your view?
A: CDM soldiers have the capability to locate and share the army’s routines, military tactics, and military information with ethnic armed groups, unlike other CDM staff. The junta’s efforts to gather firsthand news and boost morale have diminished. Military operations are suffering significant losses as CDM officers can identify the military council’s military tactics and assess their strength. The helicopter carrying the commander was shot down in Karen State. The resistance forces can conduct military activities based on information about the junta forces’ planned advancements and offensives. The revolutionary forces have suffered minor losses, whereas the junta has suffered significant losses. The army suffered a lot because of CDM soldiers.
Q: In the past, the military council has issued the similar statement. However, there were a few CDM staff who returned to their workplaces (those from other sectors). To what extent, is the military council grappling with the shortage of human resources across all sectors under its rule?
A: CDM staff from various ministries had been working as good servants for many years. The military council has hired staff from outside quickly to fill the vacant posts, but they were less qualified. Work experience is crucial. There are leaks of news from the offices and ministries’ news sources. The newly appointed staff provide information because they lack awareness of security protocols. In fact, there are differences in loyalty and work experience between long-term staff and newcomers. The military council wants CDM staff to return to their workplaces because it has to manage operations with those who have less experience. The military council is facing challenges with its administrative operations.
Some CDM staff have known the logistics activities over the past three years. The military council’s invitation aims to gather information from these people during such challenging times. It is very dangerous for CDM staff. Needless to say, CDM staff have endured so far due to their strong morale. I would like to say that the military council is recalling CDM staff as CDM is a huge blow to it.
Sent by Than Lwin Times