The Burmese military junta seems to have begun to make its pitch for the general selections in 2010. Two officials of the regime told about two hundred people in a meeting with ethnic Kachins in Myitkyina, capital of Kachin State today, “We suppose you know who you should vote for in the elections", local sources were quoted as saying.
Brig-Gen Thein Zaw, the ruling junta's Minister of Post, Communication and Telegraph, and organizer of Kachin State, was accompanied by Northern Command commander Maj-Gen Soe Win. The two military officers said this to residents of Pa La Na and Nawngnang villages at the Hall in Trinity Kachin Baptist Church between 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. local time, said local participants.
During his 30-minute speech, Minister Thein Zaw said “All in Naypyidaw, senior-general Than Shwe, vice-senior general Maung Aye, Gen Thura Shwe Mann and Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo are in good health and are working hard for the country together in solidarity."
According to participants, Minister Thein Zaw added, "Our government (junta) is working hard for the development of the military, the economy, education sector, people's prosperity and all sectors for a future modernized country."
Commander Maj-Gen Soe Win also said, the junta started development projects in Kachin State since 1994 (when the junta and Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) signed a ceasefire agreement) and he strongly exhorted that people avoid foreign intruders and the foreign rebel media, a participant said.
Maj-Gen Soe Win also mentioned in the meeting that there are now 24 million people out of 56 million of the country's population who are members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) which is sponsored by the ruling junta. They are also working hard for the 2010 elections.
By the end of today's 2010 election campaign, Commander Maj-Gen Soe Win gifted about 300 pieces of books to schools in Pa La Na and Nawngnang Villages whereas Minister Thein Zaw gifted 1,000,000 Kyat (est. US $ 844) for the construction of the No. (5) Basic Primary School in Nawngnang through the village pastor Rev. Ja Gashin Naw Awn, said participants.
Till now this year, Minister Thein Zaw visited Pa La Na village twice and his trip was jointly organized by village and State USDA leaders, said participants.
Earlier, the two officials met people in Nan Kwi village in the town, said local sources.
The junta is steadily gearing up for the 2010 elections in Kachin State by using USDA members, according to local sources.
