Excerpt from the second ULA/AA press conference on 5 March

Reported by Narinjara News-desk, 6 April 2022

The second ULA/AA press conference was held online on 5 March, where ULA / AA spokesman Khaing Thukha stated many important points.

On military situation in Arakan (Rakhine) State

The military Council is providing military manpower and the ongoing military build-up and supply of food items could inevitably lead to military confrontation in the State between Myanmar Tatmadaw and Arakan Army members.

“The military council disrupts the  ULA / AA’s  works with the administration for the  Arakanese people.  It also continues to build the military strength with equipment/ weapons,  manpower and food supplies with the intention to attack AA members. If more military operations continue threatening the Rankine people, there will be confrontations between the military council and us inevitably,” said Khaing Thukha.

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On  AA responds to National Unity Government (NUG)'s meeting offer

The request for an informal meeting by the NUG is welcomed. But the decision to join it will only be decided after the AA’s 10th year anniversary day. The central committee will decide the next course of actions after the Armed Forces Day.

It may be mentioned that the NUG had sent an invitation letter to United League of Arakan (ULA) on 24 March. The organisation argues that good ideas are  needed for ending the military dictatorship and establishing a federal democratic union in Myanmar.

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On the issue of military products being imported to Rakhine State
The central committee of ULA/AA  is still discussing the issue if the military products should be boycotted in Rakhine State or not. In some parts of Burma, due to the current political situation, strikes are erupting to stop the sale of military products. Answering questions by a reporter if such a ban could be imposed in Rakhine State, Khaing Thukha stated that the central committee is still debating over the issue.
In various areas, controlled by  Kachin Independent Army (KIA), trading of  military products has been restricted. These products include Burmese beer, Mytel SIM card Dagon beer, red ruby cigarettes, Nan Myaing coffee, Mandalay brand beer, Premium Gold, Andaman Gold Blue, Andaman Gold, Andaman Gold Special, Army Rum, Black Shield Stout, Dagon Dairy Plant Products Shwe Phi Oo, etc. It also comprises seven brand milk & oil and  USDA cement.

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On administration and judiciary of ULA / AA

In Rakhine, a total of 3,838 cases were reported to the ULA justice department in 2021 and 5,683 in the first three months of 2022. Last year, 1,900 cases were resolved. This year, 1,026 cases have been resolved.

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On the case of death of a person during the investigation

Two inspectors who examined late Maung Gyi Hla (a resident of Mrauk-U) have been prosecuted and expected to be given appropriate sentences.

"We have taken legal actions against the inspectors involved with the unusual death of  Maung Gyi Hla. I would like to say that they will be systematically investigated and sentenced. If one commits a crime, we will not forgive him/her,” asserted Khaing Thukha.

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On harmony among different ethnic groups
The military council has objected to the ULA / AA  efforts for achieving harmony among various ethnic groups in Rakhine State.

"The military council has written to us objecting to this initiative,” he said.

In Buthidaung and  Rathedaung townships, the ULA/AA  provided medical treatments in Muslim villages and interacted with the elders in those villages, but the military council prevented such meetings with local Muslims.

Khaing Thukha asserted that such disruptions from the military council only undermined the mutual trust between the military council and AA members.

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On relationship with Bangladesh

“We want bilateral cooperation with all neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh. We always want to maintain peace with them. Hence, we are ready to cooperate with any neighbouring country anytime. It is a little difficult to say exactly how good a relationship we have with Bangladesh at this moment. Only I can say, it’s friendly in nature.”