British to begin training Burmese military

25 December 2013

By Ben Farmer, Defence Correspondent

Britain is preparing to teach strategy to the brutal Burmese army

British military officials will travel to Burma within days on a controversial mission to begin training the country’s brutal military, as the UK joins an international scramble for influence in the nation.

The Government confirmed a British military delegation will travel to the country in January to deliver a strategy course to high-ranking officers from the former military junta.

Diplomats say they hope to help reform the notoriously abusive Burmese forces as the country makes a fragile transition to democracy and a general election in 2015.

But last night MPs and human rights workers questioned how much Britain should aid a force that remains infamous for murder, rape and recruiting child soldiers.

Generals are also accused of widespread corruption and controlling much of the country’s gold, jade, timber and drug smuggling.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/10531383/British-to-begin-training-Burmese-military.html