Burma's mass organisation, Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), has effectively become the new face of the Burmese ruling junta through acts of political violence and intimidation against anyone who challenges the military government, according to a study to be released today.

"The USDA, notorious for numerous acts of political violence, has trained villagers to form militias and encouraged a culture of lawlessness and thuggish behaviour, particularly among the youth members," said the Network for Democracy and Development (NDD) in its 88-page report.

USDA's efforts have led to the incitement of religious conflict and several violent attacks on members of the pro-democracy movement, including the notorious Depayin Massacre, a brutal attack on pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and members of her convoy, injuring hundreds and killing many, according to the NDD.

Today marks the third anniversary of the Depayin Massacre.

The report, titled "The White Shirts: How the USDA Will Become the New Face of Burma's Dictatorship", has been released

at a time when the military regime in Burma has renewed its attack on the opposition National League

for Democracy (NLD) aimed at forcing the party members to resign.

"Whether other countries acknowledge the USDA as a political entity will be an important factor in the continuation of the organisation as well as its strength and power. It must be ensured that the USDA is an organisation freely joined and that its actions are independent of the current regime," said Surapong Jayanama, a former ambassador of Thailand.

"Without this assurance, a transfer of power to the USDA would be no transfer at all. It would merely allow the SPDC to maintain its grip on power and continue the oppression of the Burmese people," Surapong said.

The finding is based on interviews with 20 members of the USDA. The report says the USDA has tried to co-opt the humanitarian work of international agencies and has sought to infiltrate or eliminate civil society in the country by shaping all forms of social movement to suit the needs of the regime.