the general tries the party line

[moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Dear Netters,
                      The following news  is on the formation of a new
political organization. What's behind the formation of the organization is
explained by the  report.
Peace.

Sincerely,

Julien Moe
-----
Source:Australian News Network
General tries the party line

22oct98

BURMA'S powerful intelligence chief, Khin Nyunt, has formed a new political
committee, provoking speculation he might next move to establish a
government political party. 

This could also indicate Burma's State Peace and Development Council regime
is planning a 1999 election, says leading Burma-watcher Dr Chaichok
Julsiriwong of Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University. 

The committee, dominated by Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt's allies, is seen
by analysts as a move to consolidate his management of the regime's struggle
with Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy and to speed progress
towards a new, though still military-dominated, political system. 

Diplomats say General Khin Nyunt, SPDC first secretary and head of the
Directorate of Defence Services Intelligence, has strengthened his position
as the regime's leading pragmatist by his relatively adroit handling of Ms
Suu Kyi's latest anti-government campaign. 

After provoking international wrath in July by initial rough handling of Ms
Suu Kyi and the charging of 18 foreign democracy activists, the SPDC appears
to have controlled a volatile situation without the violent confrontations
that accompanied the NLD's previous challenge in 1996. 

However, diplomatic sources say General Khin Nyunt still needs to
consolidate his position within the SPDC, especially in the event of a power
struggle after the passing of his now-frail patron, 87-year-old former
strongman leader Ne Win. 

General Ne Win, who recently returned from medical treatment in Singapore,
is said to still exert influence over the senior SPDC generals ? Chairman
and Prime Minister Than Shwe, and Vice-Chairman Maung Aye and General Khin
Nyunt. Though General Than Shwe has seniority in both the SPDC and Cabinet,
competition for long-term leadership is between generals Maung Aye and Khin
Nyunt. 

A senior military official told The Australian this week the new committee
under General Khin Nyunt's chairmanship "was formed to support the SPDC in
formulating policies by doing research and analysis in political affairs
that will be of interest to the nation". 

However Chao-Tzang Yawnghe, of the University of British Columbia, says the
committee is the most significant development since the former State Law and
Order Council was replaced in November with a structure that separated the
SPDC military leadership ? apart from General Than Shwe ? from Cabinet. 

He says the committee gives General Khin Nyunt a position of independent
political authority from which he can co-opt non-military and ethnic groups
and former oppositionists into a pro-government front to outflank Ms Suu Kyi
and the NLD. 

The regime refused to accept an overwhelming NLD win in the 1990 People's
Assembly elections. But it has repeatedly promised to introduce "multi-party
democracy" once internal conditions are stable and a new constitution, that
maintains the military's pre-eminent position, has been passed a National
Convention. 

Though the convention has not met since 1996, a steering group is said to be
close to completing "basic detailed guidelines" on the outstanding chapters.
"The (policy committee) could mean that the junta is preparing to set up a
political party and at the same time to accelerate the constitution drafting
process," says Chao-Tzang Yawnghwe. 

Dr Chaichok says the political committee is part of a process by which
General Khun Nyunt is trying to steer the regime towards "a more normal
political character" and at the same time bolster his own leadership claims.