Order #153
Stamp:
Frontline #xxx Infantry
Battalion To:
Company #x U
aaaa
I am writing this letter. Get 5 viss [8 kg / 17.5 lb] of dried betelnuts for me.
I'm sending this messenger to get it right now.
Yours,
[Sd.] 13/12
Camp Commander
xxxx Camp
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #154
Stamp:
Frontline #xxx Infantry
Battalion To: Chairperson
Date: 24/9/99 xxxx
village
Company #x
Chairperson, [we] must get 2 books, 200 sheets of foolscap [paper] and one
pair of size 40 shoes from the Chairperson for Capt. xxxx, and if there is any
unusual news, send the information to the camp urgently.
[Sd.] 24/9/99
(for)
Camp Commander
yyyy Camp
Company Commander
#x Company
#xxx Infantry Battalion
xxxx
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #155
To: Chairperson,
Secretary
Date: 11-9-99
xxxx Village
Subject: The Chairperson or Secretary must meet with the Camp Commander
Chairperson from xxxx village, there are many guests in the Chairperson's village.
Our camp has specified a guest registration fee of 50 Kyat per guest.
Send it [the money] to our Camp for the fees of these 29 guests, you are informed.
For the Camp from Chairperson's Village:
(1) 1 big tin of betelnut
(2) 1 bottle of honey, help
us.
Note: When the messenger comes to report information
to yyyy Camp, tell the messenger to come first to yyyy Camp to report the
information.
[Sd.] 11-9-99
Camp
Commander
yyyy Camp
[All visitors and guests in villages must be entered into a register. In this case, the
Army Camp charges the village a 'fee' of 50 Kyat per visitor as yet another cynical method
of extortion, and is demanding the money for the 29 latest visitors. The 'Note' at the
bottom of this order makes little sense, but here it must be taken into account that most
Burmese military officers are semi-illiterate and not particularly bright.]
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #156
Stamp:
Frontline #xxx Infantry Battalion
To: U
aaaa
Column #x Headquarters
I am writing this letter.
There is no special subject. [I] am taking 3,000 Kyat in cash from the xxxx
Chairperson for the moment. Right now I have emergency needs, so send 5,000 Kyat in cash
with this messenger. Send 3 good durians for the Column Commander. If able, [I]
also need 1 chicken.
[Sd.]
Respectfully
Corporal xxxx
(Intelligence Section)
[SPDC officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) frequently 'borrow' money from
villagers such as the 3,000 Kyat mentioned above, but they seldom pay it back. In
addition, this NCO is demanding direct extortion of 5,000 Kyat, among other things. Durian
are large and highly-valued seasonal fruit.]
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #157
To: Chairperson / Secretary
xxxx [village]
Subject: To coordinate and discuss village affairs
Chairperson, there are emergency matters, so come to yyyy village to arrive
tonight, you are requested. If [you] have enough beef, [I] want [you]
to bring 1 viss [1.6 kg / 3.5 lb] of meat and 1 viss of viscera. The Column
has gone out and the camp troops are left behind [in the camp]. If possible, bring
3 viss to feed the camp.
[Sd.]
9/9/99
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #158
To: Saw aaaa
Chairperson, xxxx
Village
Have you finished doing the things I ordered? Do it and send it back to arrive today. Do [send]
also 1,000 Kyat.
Friendly and respectfully…
[Sd.]
Corporal bbbb
Communications
yyyy Camp
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #159
To: Chairperson
(xxxx [village])
I am writing this letter.
It is no unusual subject. Right now [I am] sending 1,000 Kyat in cash with this
messenger. Buy dogfruit with this money and send it. If you have the thing that I asked
from you, send it. Also give something big to cook for our curry.
[Sd.]
Respectfully
Corporal xxxx
(Intelligence)
[Dogfruit is a hard, bitter pulpy disc-shaped 'fruit' which is generally cooked into
meals in early rainy season. The expression used for 'something big to cook' implies a
whole chicken, pig or cow. Sometimes officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) send
money to pay for some of the things they demand; however, this money has often simply been
taken from other villagers, and this particular NCO has sent some of the other orders in
this report demanding cash from village elders.]
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #160
Stamp: Date:
8-9-99
Frontline #xxx Infantry Battalion
Company #x
To: Chairperson
xxxx
village
Chairperson, things are not going well here for food, so I am asking for help from
Chairperson.
From Chairperson, [send] one chicken, 1 viss [1.6 kg / 3.5 lb] of
durian jam, and one bottle of honey, please arrange [it].
Sgt.
xxxx
[Sd.] 8/9/99
Camp
Commander
yyyy Camp
Company #x
#xxx Infantry Battalion
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #161
Stamp:
30-8-99
#xxx [IB], Company #x
xxxx [camp]
U aaaa,
Come to xxxx
camp without fail to arrive on August 31st 1999. If [you] do not come, [we]
will come to arrest [you]. If [you] don't come, serious action will be
taken, [this is your] second warning.
Note: Bring along with you 15 ripe durians.
[Sd.]
Duty Officer
#xxx
Infantry Battalion
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #162
Stamp:
23-7-99
Village Tract Peace & Development
Council To:
xxxx
Village
Tract
Chairperson
and Secretary
Subject: The camp is demanding things, so come and send [them]
to arrive this evening,
as
follows:
(1) Send 20 durians.
(2) Capt. xxxx orders 3 bowls of dogfruit.
[He] asked me to inform you to bring beautifully
shaped durians. Be sure to send them.
[Sd.]
23-7-99
aaaa
Chairperson
Village
Tract Peace & Development Council
xxxx Village Tract, Than Daung Township
[The Army Camp has passed on its demands to the village tract authorities, who in this
order are passing them on to the villages. Durian is a large, seasonal and highly valued
fruit. Dogfruit are a staple part of the Karen diet in some areas during part of rainy
season.]
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #163
To: Village
head 15-7-99
xxxx village
Right now, as soon as [you] receive this letter, come and bring along 10 golden
banana trees to yyyy Camp, bring them without fail.
[Sd.]
Captain
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #164
Stamp:
Date:
29-6-99
#xxx [IB], #x Company
Date:
29/6/99 To: Chairperson
- U aaaa
xxxx [camp] yyyy
village
Writing a letter from xxxx Army Camp. Send the money that U aaaa took for
the cost of the rice, together with 5 bowls of dogfruit and 200 rambutan fruit, to arrive
on 30-6-99, you are informed.
[Sd.]
29/6/99
Ta
KaČ [Sergeant Major]
[Dogfruit is a hard, bitter pulpy disc-shaped 'fruit' which is generally cooked into
meals in early rainy season. Rambutan is a very sweet fruit with a red hairy-looking
exterior, common throughout Southeast Asia. The reference to the money is unclear, though
it may mean that the village has been ordered to send money for the 'cost' of feeding
forced labourers or is sending money in lieu of rice.]
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #165
Stamp: 29-6-99
Village Peace & Development
Council To: U aaaa
Ye Township, yyyy
Village yyyy
(xxxx villager)
Subject: Money Problems
Regarding the above subject, the money that U aaaa took is overdue past the
deadline. Until now you haven't sent it back. Come quickly to pay. If you don't pay [we]
will turn this over to the appropriate person, letting you know.
This letter now is your last
notification.
[Sd.]
Village
Peace & Development Council
Ye Township, xxxx Village
[This is a letter from the authorities of a central village to an elder of another
village who has held back a payment or borrowed money to pay off SPDC fees. 'The
appropriate person' most likely means the local military.]
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #166
Stamp:
#xxx [IB], #x
Company Date:
17/6/99
Date:
17/6/99
To: Chairperson - U aaaa
yyyy [camp] xxxx
village
Writing this letter from the Army Camp. [We] have to give a present to the leaders
from the Division, so [you] must bring 50 durians from U aaaa's village to
arrive on 20-6-99 at yyyy Army Camp, the Captain orders it.
[The bottom part of this order with the signature was torn off. The 'Division' is the
Light Infantry Division, which consists of 10 Battalions. Durian are large, seasonal and
highly-valued fruit weighing several kilograms each, not readily available in quantities
like 50 at a time. The village failed to comply on time with this Order, so it was
followed by Order #167 below.]
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #167
Stamp:
Date:
20-6-99
#xxx [IB], Company #x
To:
Date:
20/6/99 Chairperson
yyyy [camp] xxxx
village
Subject: To send durian
Chairperson U aaaa, the army camp asked for 50 durians to arrive on 20-6-99.
Why didn't they arrive yet? Don't [you] care about the army camp? Why? Therefore,
right now as soon as [you] receive this letter, the Chairperson yourself must come
without fail to report information and to bring 50 durians on 21-6-99.
If they don't arrive on 21-6-99, serious action will be taken.
[Sd.]
20/6/99
Sgt. Maj. bbbb
IB #xxx, Company #x
(for) Camp Commander
yyyy Camp
[This order came when the village failed to comply on time with Order #166 above.]
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #168
To: U aaaa
Chairperson
xxxx
village 30-5-99
Subject: To send 1 basket of rice and 1 viss [1.6
kg/3.5 lb] of chicken
Regarding the above subject, come and bring 1 basket of rice and 1 viss of chicken
with the messenger to yyyy camp, you are informed.
Come to meet with
the [Sd.]
yyyy Camp
Commander Camp
Commander
yyyy Camp
LIB
xxx, Column #x
2nd
Lieutenant bbbb
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #169
Stamp:
Infantry Battalion #xxx
Date:
25-5-99
To: Pa aaaa
Company #x
When you receive this letter, bring 3 pyi [about 6 kg/13 lb] of rice to xxxx
village tomorrow morning, you are hereby informed.
[Sd.]
IB
#xxx
Column
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #170
Stamp:
To: Chairpersons
Frontline #xxx Infantry Battalion
VPDC
Column #x
aaaa
/ bbbb / cccc /
dddd
/ eeee / ffff / gggg [villages]
Date:
22/5/99
Subject: To send bamboo / thatch
For the use of xxxx Army Camp, send without fail bamboo / thatch as [specified]
below to arrive on 25-5-99, you are informed.
(a) aaaa
[village] bamboo, (200) pieces
(b) bbbb
[village] big bamboo, length 15 cubits, (20)
pieces
(c) dddd
[village] big bamboo, length 15 cubits, (10)
pieces
(d) eeee
[village] big bamboo, length 15 cubits, (25)
pieces
(e) ffff
[village] big bamboo, length
15 cubits, (10) pieces
(f) cccc
[village] thatch, (150) [shingles]
(g) gggg
[village] big bamboo, length 15 cubits,
(10) pieces
[Sd.]
Army
Camp Commander
Frontline IB #xxx
['Big bamboo' ('wah gyi') is bigger diameter than ordinary bamboo, suitable for
building posts. 15 cubits is approximately 22.5 feet / 6.7 metres. The thatch requested is
150 shingles, woven by the villagers from leaf and split bamboo; usually each shingle is 3
to 4 feet long. The 3 orders below also relate to this subject.]
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #171
Stamp: Date:
23-5-99
Frontline [illegible]
#[Illegible] infantry Battalion
To: Chairperson
xxxx
village
Subject: Sending bamboo to repair the camp
Regarding the above-mentioned matter, to repair the damaged parts of the camp, send
without fail 500 bamboo [poles] from Gentleman's [your] village to the camp,
right now as soon as [you] receive this letter. If [you] fail, serious
action will be taken.
[Sd.]
yyyy Camp
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #172
Stamp: Date:
27-5-99
Frontline [illegible]
To: Chairperson
#[illegible] Infantry
Battalion xxxx
village
Subject: To send bamboo
quickly
Regarding the above subject, until now Gentleman's [your] village hasn't come to
send the bamboo yet. As soon as [you] receive this letter, come quickly without
fail to bring it to the camp. If [you] fail, serious action will be taken.
Bring at the same time the 30 durians and 2 bottles of honey that I already asked from
you. Chairperson yourself, come to meet at the camp.
[Sd.]
yyyy Camp
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #173
Stamp:
Frontline #xxx Infantry
Battalion To: Chairperson 27-5-99
Column #x
VPDC
xxxx [village]
Subject: To send bamboo
Gentleman's [your] village must send big bamboo [posts], but until now you
haven't sent [them] yet. Send [them] to arrive on 28-5-99, you are informed.
[Sd.]
Army
Camp Commander
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #174
To: [Village]
Head Date:
11-5-99
To plant at the Column, come and send 100 small chillie plants to Frontline IB #xxx,
Column #x, at xxxx, to arrive on April [sic: May] 12th
1999 at (1400) hours.
Stamp:
Frontline
#xxx Infantry
Battalion
[Sd.]
Column
#x
Headquarters Column
Office
[Note that to provide 100 chillie bushes on 1 day's notice, the village will have
little option but to uproot someone's entire chillie field.]
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #175
To: Chairperson
xxxx [village] 10-5-99
(1) 10 bowls [about 20 kg/44 lb] of rice, one basket of charcoal, send
tomorrow.
[Sd.]
Capt.
aaaa
yyyy
yyyy
Camp Commander, LIB xxx
Captain aaaa
Note: This rice and charcoal has already been sold.
[The note at the bottom either means that the Captain has already given money for the
goods, and/or that he has arranged a buyer for them for his own personal profit.]
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #176
To: Chairperson Date:
8/5/99
VPDC
xxxx village
Subject: To send wooden poles / bamboo / thatch
1) For the use of yyyy Army Camp, come to send wooden poles / bamboo / thatch
to arrive on 11-5-99 at the Army Camp according to the list below.
(a) aaaa
village Bamboo
(500) pieces
(b) bbbb
village Thatch
(200)
(c) cccc
Thatch
(150)
(d) dddd
Big
bamboo (30) pieces
(e) eeee
Bamboo
(300) pieces
(f) ffff
Wooden
posts (100) pieces
Therefore, send the materials from each village on the specified date without fail, you
are informed.
Stamp:
[Sd.]
Frontline #xxx Infantry Battalion
Company Commander
Column #x
Company #x
Frontline
IB #xxx
(yyyy Army Camp)
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #177
To: Chairperson /
Secretary 29-4-99
xxxx [village]
Subject: The matter of repaying the price of the pork
Regarding the above subject, to be paid the price of the pork which the Column and the
Camp have bought, come to the camp as soon as [you] receive this letter, you are
hereby informed.
[Sd.]
Camp Commander
yyyy Camp
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #178
Stamp:
Frontline
#xxx Infantry Battalion
Frontline Headquarters #x
Column
#x Headquarters, yyyy [camp]
Infantry Battalion #xxx
Ref
No. xxx/xx/01/Oo 1
Date:
1999 April 28
To:
Chairperson
Village Peace and Development Council
xxxx village group
Subject: To send Bamboo/Hmyo [wood of a type of mangrove tree]
Frontline #xxx Infantry Battalion, Column x Headquarters, for repair of yyyy
Camp, [needs] from the villages included [in the distribution of this letter],
300 bamboo and 100 hmyo each 6 taun [3 metres / 9 feet] long from
each village. As soon as you get this letter send it to yyyy Camp, you are
informed.
[Sd]
(for) Column Commander
[This is an order carbon-copied to several villages, with the village name written in
afterwards.]
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #179
Stamp:
Frontline #xxx Infantry
Battalion Date:
26-4-99
Column #x
To: Chairpersons
Village Peace &
Development Councils
aaaa village, bbbb
village, cccc village,
dddd village, eeee
village, ffff village,
& gggg village,
Papun Township
Subject: To attend a meeting and send the material for
building
1) Regarding the above subject, a meeting will be held to discuss the regional area.
Chairpersons of the villages concerned, each of you yourselves must come to xxxx
village to arrive on 28-4-99 at 12:00 o'clock in the afternoon, and do not send the [village]
secretaries to represent you.
2) To rebuild the living quarters in the camp and outside, we have divided the
responsibilities among the villages concerned as shown below.
(a) ffff
village Thatch, (200) [shingles]
(b) eeee
village Wooden posts (100)
(c) cccc
village Bamboo (500)
(d) dddd
village Wah Boh Wah [a type of
giant bamboo] (30)
(e) bbbb
village Thatch, (200) [shingles]
(f) gggg
village Shark-tooth saw (1)
(g) aaaa
village Loh ah pay [forced
labourers]
3) Send the above materials to arrive at xxxx Army Camp on 24-4-99. If [you]
fail, it will be the Gentlemen's [your] responsibility, we are letting you know and
you are informed.
[Sd.]
Intelligence
Officer
Frontline #xxx Infantry Battalion
[In the list of materials, the number of thatch refers to long shingles of thatch woven
by the villagers out of leaves and bamboo. A shark-tooth saw is a type of long two-man
manual saw for sawing logs.]
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #180
Stamp:
#xxx [IB], Company #x
21-4-99
xxxx [camp]
To: Sir, the Captain asks
Chairperson U aaaa from yyyy [village] to buy rice and also 5 rice
sacks for the camp. Let [him].
Sir, take 500 [Kyat] of pocket money from U aaaa.
I already told [him].
Respectfully,
[Sd.]
21-4-99
xxxx [camp]
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #181
Stamp: 20-4-99
Frontline #xxx Infantry
Battalion To: Chairperson
/ Secretary
Column #x
xxxx
village
1) For the use of Frontline #xxx Infantry Battalion, yyyy Army Camp, send
without fail 150 hardwood posts, as big around as a milk tin [diameter 3 to 4 inches /
8 cm] and 12 feet long, to arrive on 23-4-99 at yyyy Army Camp, you are
informed.
2) Chairperson or Daw aaaa Secretary, either one
come on 21-4-99 (Wednesday) to report information to the Army at yyyy without fail,
you are informed.
[Sd.]
Intelligence Officer
Frontline
#xxx Infantry Battalion
[In item 2, the officer has used correction fluid to blank out the terms shown as
crossed out, and has written in the village secretary's name in their place. The village
did not send the posts on time, so this order was followed by Order #182 below. ]
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #182
Stamp:
Frontline #xxx Infantry Battalion
Column #x
To: Chairperson
/ Secretary
Village
Law & Order Restoration Council
xxxx
[village] Date:
24/4/99
Subject: Come and bring the wooden posts
Gentleman's [your] village has to send the remaining 150 wooden posts, so come to
bring them and arrive today (24/4/99), you are informed.
[Sd.]
Army
Camp Commander
Frontline IB #xxx
(yyyy [camp])
[This order followed Order #181 above.]
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #183
To: U aaaa
(Chairperson) 11-4-99
xxxx village
U aaaa, I am writing this letter. Right now [I] have arrived at yyyy
village. I remember you. Come to meet me from zzzz village. Bring along in cash
30,000 Kyat (Thirty Thousand Kyat). When [you] arrive here I will talk to you.
I also want to see you. I have arrived in your area.
Health to all the villagers. Come as soon as [you] receive this letter.
That's
all.
[Sd.]
Captain xxxx
IB #xxx
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #184
To: Village
Head Date:
1-4-99
xxxx [village]
Gentleman [Village] Head:
The gentleman [village] head must arrange the rotation of 4 viss of curry.
Now xxxx village must arrange for their turn, to arrive today on 1-4-99 and send it
without fail, you are informed. If you fail today, you will have to give more curry as
punishment.
Note
If you fail, [you must give] 5 viss.
[Sd.]
yyyy [camp]
LIB #xxx
['Curry' is the usual translation of a term which actually means meat dishes to eat
with rice. The villages in this area are forced to rotate, with a different village each
day providing 4 viss (6.4 kg / 14 lb) of 'curry' for the local Army camp; this letter
notifies a village that today it is their turn, and that if they are late they will be
ordered to give more. See also Order #197 below.]
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #185
To:
Village head
xxxx
village 1-4-99
[Village] Head, I am writing this letter. I already asked you for 1 bottle of
honey, 1 packet of sesame jaggery and 1 bunch of golden bananas, so give them now to this
messenger. Now we have arrived at yyyy. If [we] get time, [we] will
come.
Thank
you, [Sd.]
Friendly
Captain aaaa
yyyy
[Jaggery is hard brown crystallised sugar, made by boiling cane juice; the type
demanded here also has sesame seeds in it.]
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #186
Stamp: Frontline
#xxx Infantry Battalion
Frontline Headquarters #x
Column
#x Headquarters, yyyy Camp
Infantry Battalion #xxx
Ref.
No. 101 / 02 / xx / Oo 1
Date:
1999, March 16th
To:
Chairperson
Village Peace and Development Council
xxxx Village Tract
Subject: To send bamboo and nipa palm
To repair Frontline #xxx
Infantry Battalion Column #x Headquarters at yyyy Camp, the included Village
Tracts must send 100 bamboo [posts] and 300 stitched nipa palm leaf shingles to yyyy
Camp. They must arrive on 20-3-99, you are informed.
[Sd.]
Column
Commander
[This order was carbon-copied to several villages with the village name written in
afterwards. The leaf shingles are used for roofing.]
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #187
To: Chairperson
xxxx
village Date:
2-3-99
Subject: To send thatch
Regarding the above subject, to rebuild the buildings and the living quarters at yyyy
camp, for fences, roofs and walls send 300 thatch shingles from the Gentleman's [your]
village to arrive at yyyy camp on 10-3-99 at the latest. Asking for your help.
[Sd.]
(for)
Battalion Commander
yyyy camp
xxx
xxxx [serial #], Bo xxxx
[This is a typed form letter with the village name and number of thatch shingles
written in afterwards by hand. The last line under the signature is the officer's serial
number and name.]
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #188
Stamp:
Village Tract Peace & Development Council
yyyy Village Tract
To: Chairperson, Secretary
xxxx [village]
Chairperson, right now [we] must get 75 viss [120 kg / 262 lb] of
betelnut for the Deputy Battalion Commander. Chairperson's village must collect 20 viss
of betelnut and send it to yyyy village to arrive on Wednesday, the Camp Commander
has asked for it. [We] will give 1,400 [Kyat].
[Sd.]
2-3-99
Chairperson
Village
Tract Peace & Development Council
yyyy Village Tract, Than Daung Township
[In this case the Deputy Battalion Commander has demanded a large quantity of betelnut
so the village tract PDC is distributing the demand among the local villages. 75 viss is a
huge quantity of betelnut, far too much for personal consumption; the Commander is paying
the villagers very little for it, and probably intends to sell it on the market for
personal profit.]
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #189
To: Chairperson, Secretary
Subject: Arrange a pig weighing 20 viss [32 kg / 70 lb]
for tonight
Chairperson, arrange a pig weighing 20 viss for tonight, it is the order of the
Column Commander. You absolutely must arrange it.
[Sd.] 25-2-99
(for)
Camp Commander
xxxx
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #190
To: xxxx village
head 25-2-99
Subject: Writing to let you know, if you receive my letter
come to see me at once. Come and call [to come along] the yyyy village head
and one child of aaaa [a villager]. Come for sure. Bring along for me 3 viss
[4.8 kg / 10.5 lb] of jaggery. On 27-2-99 arrive at zzzz.
Receive
[this letter] and comply.
From,
[Sd.]
zzzz [camp]
[This order was written in Sgaw Karen. Jaggery is hard crystallised blocks made from
boiling sugar cane juice.]
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #191
Stamp:
#xxx Light Infantry
Battalion To: Chairperson 22-2-99
Company #x
xxxx
village
Subject: Informing you with a warning
Regarding the above subject, to fence yyyy camp we allotted you [to supply]
wood and bamboo, and we will not accept any reason if you are late. If you fail, the
village sawmill / rice mills ['ha la seh', referring to rice milling machines from
China] / other commercial activities will be stopped, and we will force the village to
relocate, you are informed.
Maj. aaaa's
assistant
[Sd.]
yyyy Camp Commander Capt. bbbb
(for)
Company Commander
LIB xxx, Company #x
#x
Company
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #192
To: Chairperson
I'm writing this letter.
At the place where we stopped in xxxx village below the monastery, there is a shop.
In that shop buy a blade for shaving and one [razor] handle. It costs 400 Kyat.
This evening arrive at yyyy to see me.
I am staying in the house in front of the camp, before the house of the Company Commander.
I need to use the rest of the money for the servants, so bring me as much as you have.
Come now at once when you receive this letter (urgent).
xxxx
[Sd. / 28-1-99]
LIB
Cpy. x
xxx
- Captain xxxx's group
[The 'money for the servants' means porter fees, a routine form of SPDC extortion which
is demanded from villagers allegedly to 'hire' or 'feed' porters; however, the Army then
forces villagers to go as porters without pay and bring their own food, pocketing the
money.]
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #193
Stamp:
Peace & Development
Council Headman
17-1-99
xxxx Village
Tract yyyy
[village]
#x Tactical Command has emergency need for 10 viss [16 kg/35 lb] of
betelnut, [so we are] asking for help from Gentleman's [your] village. [We]
will pay the price of the betelnut at once at the current price of xxxx village.
Gentleman yourself, help [us], you must arrive on 20-1-99, you are requested.
[Sd.]
Member (1)
Village Peace & Development Council
xxxx village Tract, Papun Township
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #194
xxxx [village] 16-1-99
5 x 5
- 8 taun - 1
piece
5 x 2
- 8
"
- 3 pieces
6 - three ma - 8
"
- 2 pieces
3 x 2
- 8
"
- 3 pieces
LIB xxx, Company #x
Captain aaaa
Send flooring to xxxx village, yyyy camp.
[This is a list of wood which the village must provide as flooring for the Army camp,
specifying the dimensions of the various types of posts and planks - one 5" x
5", three 5" x 2", and three 3" x 2", each 8 'taun' (about 12
feet) long. One 'ma' is 25 pya (1 Kyat = 100 pya), so the reference to "6
three-ma"'s is unclear.]
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Order #195
To: U aaaa
Near to xxxx village, [we] know that Ko bbbb keeps his teak.
We will make furniture, so [we] want to borrow for a moment about 1 ton or 2 tons
from this teak.
We already borrowed teak and later cccc came to repay it. If we meet with Ko bbbb,
[we] will tell [him]. If [we] saw the teak when it arrives up above,
we already have to pay more to the teak sawyer. That's why we need it quickly.
[We] will send cccc to get the teak.
Stamp:
[Sd.]
Frontline #xxx Infantry Battalion
yyyy
Temporary [camp]
Column #x
Headquarters 16-1-99
Battalion
Commander
#xxx Infantry Battalion
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Order #196
To: Chairperson
xxxx village
Now, as soon as you receive this letter, come to yyyy camp. Bring 5 coconuts to
arrive at yyyy camp today, you are informed.
[Sd.]
Camp
Commander
yyyy
Camp
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Order #197
To: U aaaa
Date:
24-12-98
Chairperson
xxxx [village]
Chairman -
In accordance with [orders given at] the coordination
meeting, the Gentleman's [your] village has responsibility for [providing] 4
viss [6.4 kg / 14 lb] of curry, send it to arrive on 26-12-98, you are informed.
[Sd.]
(for) Army Camp Commander
yyyy Army Camp
LIB xxx
['Curry' is the usual translation of a term which actually means meat dishes to eat
with rice. See also Order #184. The villages in this area are
forced to rotate, with a different village each day providing 4 viss (6.4 kg / 14 lb) of
'curry' for the local Army camp; this letter notifies a village that today it is their
turn.]
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Order #198
To: Chairperson 22-12-98
U aaaa
Gentleman's [your] village and xxxx village, it is your turn to pay curry to
the camp until the 27th. Both gentlemen must coordinate in accordance with
specifications to send it on 23-12-98, you are informed.
Chicken 4 viss / pork 5 viss / dried fish 5 viss, whichever kind you
get.
[Sd.]
(for)
Camp Commander
LIB
xxx
Camp
Commander xxxx
[Each 'viss' is 1.6 kilograms / 3.5 pounds.]
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Order #199
To: Chairman Date:
14-12-98
Tomorrow, 15/12/98, make one basket for [carrying] chickens, [we] want you
to send it.
[Sd.]
Camp
Commander (2)
xxxx Camp
LIB
xxx, Company #x
Capt. xxxx
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Order #200
To: Chairperson (previous)
30-10-98
Secretary
xxxx village
1. Verify that the cost of aaaa's watch is 1,000 Kyat, and (Chairperson /
Secretary) pay it to [him].
2. Secretary, take care of the matter that I ordered you.
3. Find 2 bowls of peanuts (nuts only [i.e. shelled]).
4. I will call [you] when I need. [You] must come when I call.
[Sd.]
Sgt.
Maj. bbbb
[This Sergeant Major has taken the villager's watch and is ordering the village head to
reimburse the villager for it, as well as demanding other things while he is at it.]
______________________________________________________________________________
Order #201
Stamp:
Frontline #x Tactical Command Group
Date: 27.7.98
Southwest Region
Headquarters Date:
27-7-98
To: Head
On 28-7-98 send 1 viss of chicken. The officer has no curry to eat so send it
without fail, you are informed.
[Sd.]
(for) Camp Commander
xxxx Tactical Command Army Camp
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