Secretary-1 briefs foreign diplomats on activities of Committee for Prevention of Recruiting Child Soldiers All Myanmar armed forces including army are formed with those who join them of their own volition

Yangon, 7 Feb - Chairman of the Committee for Prevention of Recruiting Child Soldiers Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Thein Sein had a meeting with diplomats of foreign embassies to Myanmar at the Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road here at noon yesterday to make clarification to the steps being taken by the committee.

Also present on the occasion were Lt-Gen Myint Swe of the Ministry of Defence, Committee members Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win, Vice-Chief of Armed Forces Training Brig-Gen Zaw Win and Maj-Gen Ngwe Thein of the Ministry of Defence, senior military officers, officials of the SPDC Office, heads of department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Acting Dean of Diplomatic Corps to Myanmar French Ambassador Mr Jean Michel LACOMBE and diplomats, and resident representatives of UNDP, UNICEF and ICRC.

The committee chairman in his speech said that he would explain the committee's goals, objectives and performances and work progress. With a view to preventing minors being recruited into armed forces, protecting their interests, and ensuring enforcement of the orders and directives on protection of under-age children, the committee with him as chairman was formed on 5 January 2004.

In order to achieve the objectives of the com-mittee, the committee laid down a Plan of Action to strictly scrutinize the procedures to prevent recruitment of minors into armed forces. The Plan of Action includes procedures on mobilizing raw recruits and discharge from military service, reintegration into the society, raising public awareness, taking action against transgressors, reporting, submission of suggestions and recommendations, and coordination and cooperation with international organizations including UNICEF, the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office and the ICRC.

The committee also set up a task force consisting of relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement to supervise systematically the implementation of the Plan of Action.

The Myanmar armed forces including army are the forces formed with those who join the force concerned of their own volition. In the process, they make up their minds of their own accord. Under Directive No 13/73 (1974) of the Myanmar Defence Services and War Office Council, under-eighteen children are not recruited into armed forces. Any form of forced conscription is prohibited. The committee also erected a new directorate that would enforce the orders, rules and directives on recruitment.

The committee promulgated necessary procedures on scrutiny and inspection. Those who got registered but did not meet minimum age or designated qualifications were discharged from the armed forces. Between 2004 and 2006, those who were not allowed to join the armed forces due to their failure to meet all qualifications amounted to 567.

He denied that Myanmar is a country that is seeing armed conflicts. Due to the return of 17 armed groups to the legal fold, Myanmar is enjoying fruitful results of peace and stability at unprecedented level along with remarkable economic development. The government is now implementing the State's seven-step Road Map for transition to democracy. Representatives of the people from all walks of life including those of the 17 armed groups are attending the National Convention.

Myanmar has already taken a solemn vow to take measures for protection of children including tackling the issue of child soldiers. In this regard, Myanmar is cooperating with the UN agencies concerned. The committee conducted responsible persons of the UN agencies to the recruitment units in Yangon and Mandalay so that they could see recruitment procedures firsthand. He said he would also like to reaffirm the willingness to continue to cooperate with them through frank views.

He said that after his speech, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would brief the attendees on cooperation with the UN agencies. In addition, some military officers would clarify the procedures on recruitment, rules and regulations and directives, and activities of the committee. Arrangements have been made for the diplomats to visit a recruitment unit and military training centre after the meeting.

Committee member Minister U Nyan Win gave an account of close cooperation with the UN agencies.

Committee member Maj-Gen Ngwe Thein explained the enforcement of rules and regulations and directives and functions of the committee, and committee member Brig-Gen Zaw Win, on rules and directives of the Tatmadaw on training recruits.

After the meeting, the Secretary-1 cordially greeted the diplomats and responsible persons of the UN agencies.

Next, Acting Dean of Diplomatic Corps to Myanmar French Ambassador Mr Jean Michel LACOMBE and foreign diplomats, and resident representatives of UNDP, UNICEF and ICRC, accompanied by committee members Brig-Gen Zaw Win and Maj-Gen Ngwe Thein and officials, visited No 1 Defence Services Recruiting Unit in Insein Township (Danyingon). Commandant Lt-Col Than Htoo extended greetings to the visitors and procedures being carried out in accordance with the directives of the committee.

The diplomats, and resident representatives of UNDP, UNICEF and ICRC observed the functions around the unit and had a cordial meeting with the recruits and raised questions to them.

They also visited No 1 Basic Military Training Depot (Phaunggyi). Brig-Gen Zaw Win extended greetings to and briefed them on rules and directives on military training of recruits. They viewed the functions of the depot and raised questions to them.