Cropped screenshot of the statement from the Arakan Army, with their emblem. PHOTO/MYANMAR PEACE MONITOR
Nearly a month after a small furor erupted in response to perceived similarities between the Arakan Army’s emblem and the Nazi-era eagle, a spokesperson for the group said on Friday that the rebels only used the symbol because it looked ‘majestic.’
“Our emblem has nothing to do with the Nazi symbol apart from the fact that we imitate it for the sole reason of its majestic look. It doesn’t necessarily mean we are following any form of chauvinism as such,” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement written in nearly flawless English.
The image is of an Eagle with spread wings looking over one shoulder, virtually identical to the one used by Nazis and, in a time long ago, the Roman military. However, instead of holding a swastika in its talons, the Arakan bird is holding the flag of the army.
Since April, when the obscure rebel group resurrected its fight against Myanmar’s government, the Arakan Army has been relatively quiet. On May 18, however, several supporters were reportedly arrested in Arakan State, and should face trial later this month.
In the emailed statement, which was signed with no name, the spokesperson also listed the group’s aims:
1. To gain self-determination for multi-ethnic masses of Arakan
2. To safeguard national identity (character) and cultural heritage
3. To promote national dignity and interest
4. To liberate every citizen and ethnic nationality of Burma from dictatorship
5. To ensure peace and development for all human race….
The statement ended with “Best regards, Arakan Army.”
Note: A “small furor” did not really erupt when a Reuters correspondent and then Coconuts Yangon pointed out the similarities between the symbols. Most people didn’t really care. For the sake of the pun, however, we just really wanted to use the word “furor” in a story with Nazi references.
