Ex-servicemen to hold nation-wide conference

by Mizzima News
Tuesday, 06 October 2009 22:22

New Delhi (Mizzima) – Burma's Ex-Servicemen’s Organization will begin a three-day nation-wide conference in Leway near the new capital city of Naypyitaw on Wednesday.

The organization sent invitations to about 700 delegates from all States and Divisions. The conference will be held at its head office in Leway from October 7 to 9.

“We invited a total of 700 delegates from all States and Divisions,” an official of the conference organizing committee told Mizzima.

The organization extended invitations only to Chairman of each Township branch. The conference is being called the ‘Myanmar Ex-Servicemen’s Conference (Headquarter)’.

Confirming the receipt of the invitation, an official said “Our delegate has to reach the Divisional office today. Only the Chairman of the township branch is invited and our Chairman has left today”.

The Welfare organisation in 2005 held its first nation-wide conference in Rangoon.

According to sources, the organisation, which is primarily formed for the welfare of the Ex-military men and their family, is reportedly planning to transform into a political party with an aim of contesting in the forthcoming 2010 general elections.

While it could not be independently verified, rumors circulating in Rangoon and other parts of Burma suggest that the ex-servicemen group is gearing to form a political party.

The organisation is one among the few that is legally formed in Burma and are licensed to run restaurants, contractual services and transportation business for fund raising.

The township branch of the organization compiles a list of all ex-servicemen living in this township and provides financial assistance to them with this fund for alleviating their difficulties in ekeing out a livelihood.

The organization helps the ex-servicemen in getting their pension, free treatment at Tatmadaw (Armed Forces) hospitals and medical pension and gratuity for those who lost their limbs in war.

Since 2000, the organisation has helped children of former military servicemen in getting employment in Malaysia.