Today I went and spent my £3.80 for the latest issue of Arena. It is, as I have discovered, an “upscale” British “men’s magazine” filled with advertisements for fragrances, watches and cars, and articles about actors, technology and “lifestyle”. I think you get the picture.
There is also, just to mix it up, an article on “urban warfare” about the police who make a living shutting down crack houses in tough London neighbourhoods. That particular article is actually not that bad.
And then there is an eight-page feature on Thomas Bleming. New Mandala readers who have yet to hear of his escapades along the Thailand-Burma border will, to get up to speed, find these previous posts helpful (30 January 2007, 5 February 2008, 2 March 2008, 6 April 2008).
I understand that there are lots of people out there who will, for geographic reasons, never see a copy of British Arena. I have, however, just learned that there is apparently a Thailand edition of Arena. Can anyone tell us if it has a translation of this Bleming article?
But given the involvement of New Mandala in this continuing story of war and the media it seems appropriate that I provide a flavour of the article. Regular readers will probably not be surprised by much of what follows.
The author of this piece, titled “Tom Bleming’s War”, is photojournalist Jason P. Howe (http://www.conflictpics.com/Biography/index.htm). He seems to specialise in these kinds of stories. Based on what appears to be a few days spent with Bleming earlier in 2008, his article includes pictures of a Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) base, and an image of Bleming posing with an assault rifle. And lots of quotes from Bleming himself. In this (sympathetic) account one does still get an interesting sense of his life with respect to the KNLA, and the Karen National Union, Mae Sot, the US government, post-traumatic stress disorder, gun-running, Che Guevara, and all the rest.
For the benefit of those who may never see the full version in Arena, here are some of the choicest lines from Howe’s article:
- “For a US citizen who is discussing a secret and questionably legal plan, Bleming is far from discreet. The lunchtime beers have loosened his tongue. His talk of sourcing ‘Stinger’ missiles so that the rebels can take down Burmese aircraft and the arrival of his ‘team’ of foreign volunteers is conducted at a volume a little too loud for comfort.” – p.139
- Back in the 1960s, “Ironically, he [Bleming] had great difficulty getting into the [US] military to begin with because of his involvement in extreme right-wing politics.” – p.140
- “When Saigon fell on 30 April 1975, Bleming vowed to get even by beginning a personal crusade against communism.” – p.140
- “In an attempt to assassinate [Manuel] Noriega, Bleming set a bomb under a 5,000-gallon fuel tank, but it was discovered before Noriega’s entourage arrived. Bleming was captured and thrown into jail. For 22 months, he was tortured, starved, beaten up and threatened with being thrown out of a plane. On 21 July 1981 he was finally released and put on a plane to Miami.” – p.142
- Almost twenty years later, a documentary about Ho Chi Minh convinced him that his previous war in Southeast Asia had been wrong. He decided “His global fight against communism was over. He made a pledge then that he would never fight for another lie. Bleming is now “deeply disturbed” by the US government and its foreign and domestic policy. He is against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and finds it hard to relate to the returning troops, despite the similarity to his own situation.” – p.142
- “On the eve of his departure for Karen country, his excitement is uncontrollable. However, he has just received a dressing down from the leaders of the KNU (Karen National Union), possibly for his rather indiscreet manner. For the briefest period, he is shocked almost to the point of speechlessness.” – p.144
- “As a morale boost, his visit is a genuine contribution to the war effort for these men [the KNLA troops they met], much like those movie or sports stars who travel to Iraq to rally the troops there. And Bleming is tough. He quickly adapts to camp life at a small outpost on a hilltop overlooking jungle in every direction. He eats the same food as the rebels, sleeps on the hard wooden flor of their hut and squats over a hole in the ground to take a shit just like them. Although many of his claims may appear to be exaggerated, he is a likeable, well-meaning and even humble character at times” – p. 145
- “Is Bleming a hero or a lunatic? The answer remains elusive. I am left with the feeling that there are healthy portions of both heroism and delusion in this man” – p.145
I hope these details have provided some extra insights about the role of Bleming in the ongoing war in eastern Burma. It is unclear if the “International Brigade of Volunteers” that he is reportedly organising is coming together. Apparently he was to meet his first batch in Bangkok earlier in the year, just after the research for this article was completed. Did this ever happen?
Whatever happened, or is happening, it is only fair that Bleming should get the final word. In one of his characteristically forceful statements he makes it plain that:
I am the only Vietnam veteran still fighting in south-east Asia, out of 3.5 million men…I am here to help these poor people and I am going to achieve two things. I am working on securing some serious firepower for these guys and also in setting up an International Brigade of Volunteers to help in the fight. In a few months’ time the Burmese will be begging for peace.
10 responses so far ↓
1 Jeffrey Htoo // Jun 14, 2008 at 8:26 am
I have been following the Thomas Bleming saga for some time and would like to add some comments.
1) The entire time that Mr. Bleming was in Mae Sot and at the KNLA camp he was drinking heavily. At one point his drinking caused him to get diarrhea and he had to be treated by the camp medic. In addition, he is an elderly man, in poor health, and was having a very difficult time whilst at the camp. He was never taken on any patrols, as it was feared that he might expire under the stress.
2) At no time was Mr. Bleming EVER allowed to have a loaded weapon. He was allowed to pose with various weapons, but they were always checked beforehand to ensure they weren’t loaded.
On one occasion he took – without permission – a loaded weapon. It caused much consternation, and never happened again.
3) Mr. Bleming has many demons, some of them coming to light after he had been drinking heavily. He kept the camp awake most nights by sounding alarms about gunfire and explosions, which existed only in his mind.
4) Mr. Bleming was cautioned repeatedly about his loud and indiscreet behaviour in the bars and restaurants in Mae Sot. When he did not listen to reason, and desist, he was “dressed down” rather forcefully by the KNU leadership. He was pointedly told that his assistance was not needed or welcome.
5) Mr. Bleming made many promises of financial and material assistance to the KNU and KNLA. To date none of these things have happened. He took his photographs, wrote his book, and hasn’t been seen since.
6) Mr. Bleming has put the KNU leadership in an embarrassing situation with the Thai authorities. They are guests of the Thai government, and as such try to keep a low profile while on Thai territory. Fortunately, the Thai police saw Mr. Bleming for what he is, a loud mouthed blowhard who drinks too much, and things were smoothed over.
7) The Burmese military has no air force to speak of, so why Mr. Bleming would offer to obtain stinger missiles is a complete mystery. In addition, the KNU is courting American support – why would they jeopardize it by trying to obtain controlled munitions. The KNLA is not a terrorist organization.
9)Jason Howe was discreetly told that Mr. Bleming was unstable and that anything he said needed to be fact checked. Mr. Howe decided to ignore these warnings.
2 Jack Slade // Jun 15, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Here is the one thing I would like to know…. How many of the people who post on this site actually do anything to help the people of Burma? I do NOT mean just running your mouths. I mean actually getting out there and making sacrifices for the people of Burma. Is anyone doing fund raising? Is anyone sending supplies? Is anyone handing out fliers? Putting up posters? Are any of you very critical people, who spend hours thinking up ways to tear into Thomas Bleming’s efforts, actually doing anything with those brains in your heads?
If you would stop spending so much time acting like squableing school girls and actually spend that time being constructive and making an effort to do all the things you think Tom should be doing, this war would be on its last legs.
I am not sorry if I sound a little pissed right now, because I am. I have spent the last several weeks thinking up ways to help and putting those plans into action and I am not hearing that other people are doing the same. I hear all the intellectuals on this site wasting their time clucking like angry hens about what Thomas Bleming has said or done, or hasn’t said and done, when these GREAT MINDS should be getting money for the KNLA/KNU and other groups to put a boot up the SPDC’s rear end.
For the last three days I have stood out in traffic passing out fliers in over 100 degree weather and collecting funds to send to the people I feel are actually getting things done.
After three days of 4 to 5 hours per day standing in the traffic in a major city I started to notice some things. It was interesting to me what types of people passed me the most amounts of money and which types of people just passed me bye.
#1)I noticed that White mothers that were alone or with children and families gave me the most.
#2) The next group was single white male and men with military backgrounds.
#3) After them, Black women traveling in groups or families gave me money for Burma.
#4)Mexican people passed me all the small change they could find with smiles even if they didn’t speak english.
#5) People from India came in next to last, but in all fairness there was not very many of them on the roads where I was
#6) Asian people… now I know some of you may get offended when I say this, but it is the truth… Asian people gave the least amount of money.In three days of playing in traffic There was only three people of any asian race that handed me any money. One on the first day was Burmese and thanked me for caring for his people. Then on day 2 no asian people would dare roll down the windows of their BMW sports cars to pass me the loose change sitting in their ashtrays and cup holders. Then today two passed me money. One was a wealthy 40 ish man who only donated after his girlfrien added a little presure, he did not want one of the fliers I was handing out. The other today was a Burmese guy who was only slightly interested in the flier and what I was telling him.
So what’s the deal? Do Asian people just feel that my white face isn’t trustworthy enough?
The fliers I hand out have several websites where people can donate as well as learn. The fliers also have the address for a local Buddhist Monestary that is a donation point that I have helped a little now and then. Also Is a Canadian charity groups address that I am working with as well.
The money collected will be put to good use. Do not ask me who I am giving it to. If you know me then you know where it is going if you have been to my website then you know where it is going. Every sunday or Monday I will be making a donation to one of the charities I am in communication with. DO NOT ASK ME FOR MONEY. I have been assaulted by people asking for donations but not one could tell me a way that they could come up with the money they wanted on their own.
I have not even one person offer to give me a dime from any other charity or group to buy and ship the needed supplies to thailand to groups I know that can get things into Burma, So I have found a way to get money for Burma on my own.
Here is my point and my CHALLENGE… I challenge you chatter boxes to get off of your butts and get out there and put Burma in the news, in magazines, on the minds of the people all around the world.
Raise money, push a few buttons, grab some attention from the politcal elections…. at least Tom is keeping Burma in the mainstream media, magazines, and local news in Wyoming. He may not be the best mouth peice but….
What have YOU done lately?
3 Thomas Bleming // Jun 16, 2008 at 8:23 am
The postings that have been made by some of your readers in shall I say a in a highly negative way, bordering on personal defamation really doesn’t deserve a responce by me, however I will state to all those who have followed my efforts to assist the Karen People in their struggle to be free, that since my first meeting with Colonel Nerdah Mya, I have performed in a creditable way, and have rendered honest and faithfull service to his country and to his struggle.
I have NEVER consumed any alcoholic beverages while in his base camps nor during any of my subsequent trips into the Republic of Kawthoolei.
Those of you who I met during the trips I made to Mae Sot know of my personal and unbridled devotion to the Karen cause.
I have NOT been told by anyone within the leadership of the Karen National Liberation Army (which includes Colonel Nerdah Mya, Colonel Tu Lu Gay Mya, Colonel Nay Soe Mya, as well as all the officers and men who I served with in 6th Bde. Battallion #201, that I was not to ever return to Kawthoolei.
Furthermore I stand by what I wrote in my book “War in Karen Country”, where I wrote that I was given the post as Consul General of the Republic of Kawthoolei by Colonel Nerdah Mya, as well as made an official member of the KNLA.
With regards to my private meeting with the leadership of the KNU, NONE of you were present , as it was a closed session, so NONE of you can surmise what was said by them to me or vise-versa.
When I left Colonel Nerdah Mya on the afternoon of April 18th,2008 ,( two days before I left Mae Sot to head back to Bangkok for the flight to the United States on April 23rd 2008 ), I informed him that I had done all that I could for him and I was entrusting my efforts into the hands of Mr. Jack Slade,whom I had met in Bangkok
(along with other American volunteers),when they had arrived on the evening of March 26th from Los Angeles, Caliofornia.
I explained to Colonel Nerdah that I was NOT leaving him nor was I backing away from the committment that I made to pass onto him the proceeds from my book “War in Karen Country” but that I felt that a younger more professional individual could offer the cause of Karen freedom a way to garner a wide range of support in terms of men,equipment as well as political recognition.
After reviewing Mr. Slades credentials and seeing first hand the way he carried himself in Burma (when we were in camp as well as on patrol or visiting the various Karen villages under the control of the KNLA), I then consulted with Colonel Nerdah Mya who agreed that Mr. Slade would not only be welcomed in the Karen State but that he (Slade), be offered the position of Commanding Officer of the newly formed Karen Foreign Legion, (which Mr. Slade and I officially formed a few days after he was in-country).
With regards to my meeting with the Karen National Union (on the evening of March 9th ), in Mae Sot, I was summonded to present myself before them to give testimony with regards to what I might had known about the assassination of their late secretary general Prado Manh Sha as I had information that was to shed new light into this matter. Due to the fact that an on-going criminal (murder) investigation is being conducted within the KNU I am not at liberty to say anything else on this matter.
I believe that I have said enough on this whole matter.
Thomas Bleming
Consul General
Republic of Kawthoolei
Karen Information Office
Lusk, Wyoming 82225-0914
4 Thomas Bleming // Jun 17, 2008 at 10:55 am
Have just today received the story which is in the current (July 2008), issue of “Arena Magazine” and find it to be a good piece of journalism base on the facts.
I hope that your readership will be able to obtain this magazine and read the story, as it discounts an awfull lot which has been posted by those who for no other reason then wanting to see the SPDC prevail over the current situation will stop at nothing to make my efforts for Karen freedom fall to defeat (mind you this will NOT be the case in the near future) , and in the process do whatever is necessary to defame me !
Those readers of your New Mandala who reside in the United States and Canada can purchase the “Arena Magazine” from such book outlets as Barnes and Nobles, Borders Books. Just make sure that you mention the JULY 2008 issue when requesting this publication.
Tom Bleming
Lusk, Wyoming 82225-0914
U.S.A.
5 Rambo and the real war in Burma // Jun 20, 2008 at 10:07 pm
[...] John Rambo has been replaced, both here and in more general reporting, by the Thomas Blemings, Jake Slades, David Everetts and Derek Meltons of the world. For better or for worse, they have provided a [...]
6 KNU statement “regarding foreign individuals” // Jul 1, 2008 at 7:27 pm
[...] Mandala readers who have been following the lengthy discussions of foreigners supporting the Karen National Liberation Army will want to see this official statement by the [...]
7 Armed struggle: The way forward? // Jul 16, 2008 at 5:34 am
[...] number of regular New Mandala commentators, and here I am thinking of the Tom Blemings and Jack Slades of the world, have long made plain their public support for making war in Burma. [...]
8 James Bradley // Sep 1, 2009 at 6:07 pm
I met Tom personaly in an airport in salt lake city. He was making his first trip of many to burma. He told some great stories and from time to time we still communicate. Lies or not, Drunkard or not, The man’s heart is filled with love for the KNLA and the KNU and i assure you its genuine. His intent is nothing but genuine. If he’s unable to get the job done due to his own heavily loaded emotional baggage It only makes me want to finish what he’s started. He’s made me care about these people as well.
9 Thomas Bleming // Sep 3, 2009 at 10:56 am
Thanks Jim. Been a bit busy of late. Lots of stuff on the “old skillet” and looking forward to heading out shortly . The world is my backyard and I am quite fortunate to have had the pleasure to have met you in Salt Lake City when I was changing planes to fly onto Los Angeles (LAX) at the time.
Rest assured I am still active on the international scene and I hope to be for many years to come.
Am glad that you are doing what you can to assist the Karens. I tried to do what I could and at least I was able to write a little about them and share my experiences with the world at large.
Send me your e-mail address when you can and again thanks!
10 James Bradley // Sep 4, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Tom, My E-mail is myjunkbox16@yahoo.com like the name implies its not my main e-mail so it might be a bit before I check it but i’d love to hear from you.
-James-
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