very little sign of a let up in its army’s war with its ethnic minorities – the
biggest of which are the Karen, Shan, and Kachin.
the suffering is the Free Burma Rangers.
heavy Christian evangelical philosophy and because its members carry weapons,
it has appeared to have done some amazing aid work deep inside Burma.
be with people who know what they are doing – and they feel a lot safer if the
people they are with have something with which to defend themselves.
in from the The Free Burma Rangers at the weekend. Zau Hkawng was a ‘Good
Life Counselor’ whose job was to
administer to the needs of families in villages visited.
Special Forces man behind the FBR has a 12-year-old blond haired daughter who
shoots with a bow and arrow. I’m hoping he really does not send her into
action. Worth a read though.
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| A Force 136 veteran still in the jungles of Burma – without pension of course |
“On 16 August 2012, Zau Hkwang was carrying food and giving
assistance to Kachin soldiers who were in a line of defense protecting the
Kachin people under attack by the Burma Army in Pang Wa, Kachin State.
“The Burma Army overwhelmed the Kachin position and the
Kachin soldiers were forced to retreat.
Zau Hkawng chose to cover their retreat and remained as the last man in
the position until all others had escaped.
“By his actions the Burma Army was not able to kill more of
the Kachin and were slowed in the taking of the position. In doing this he lost
his life. He was last seen defending the hill alone. His body was recovered on
10 December 2012 after the Burma Army left the immediate area.
“Zau Hkawng said he joined the FBR because he loved his
people and wanted to serve them well. In his role as a Good Life Club counselor
he focused on the needs of women and children.
“He was a loving, energetic and humble young man who gave
his all to anyone who needed help. We thank God for him and for his life and
are sad for his death. In the midst of our sorrow we trust that nothing
precious is eternally lost in God’s hands.
“And we believe we will see him again in the place God has
prepared for all of us. We honor Zau Hkwang’s courage. His loss makes us more
determined to make good his sacrifice for freedom, justice and reconciliation
for all in Burma”.
The Kachin and Karen fought with Orde Wingate’s ‘Chindits’ during the Second World War against the Japanese and Burmese.
When I first came to Asia I spent a lot of time with the Karen National Liberation Army, whose senior officers, now passed away, were in Force 136 fighting with the British behind enemy lines.
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| Andrew Drummond with Karen National Liberation Army for BBC Everyman ‘Burma’s Forgotten War” |
Talking of Burma – I was host this week to journos in from Rangoon on the ‘Spitfire Dig’story. I could not go because of commitments here. But a couple the returning survivors turned up and we had dinner in the sala – well one could not because he had the Rangoon equivalent of ‘Delhi belly’. Did not stop him drinking though.
I love these ‘debriefings’. Journos can always find what opens latest and what never closes. Seems they have got Rangoon covered. The RAF Spitfires were not found. The story continues. I may go yet.
Meanwhile thanks to Niel of the Telegraph for that litre of Johnny Walker Black. I am trying to find you a receipt for it!
