The BurmaNet News: November 16, 199

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Subject: The BurmaNet News: November 16, 1998

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The BurmaNet News: November 16, 1998
Issue #1139

Noted in Passing: "Twenty-five percent of the seats in the parliament will
be given to representatives appointed by the commander-in-chief of the
defense services ... . If the military is not involved in national affairs,
there is no guarantee that we will not have to go back to square one,
fighting all the ethnic groups again." - Lieutenant-Colonel Hla Min (see
XINHUA: MYANMAR ADMITS DRAFTING OF CONSTITUTION VERY SLOW)

HEADLINES:
==========
MIC: APPOINTMENT, REASSIGNMENT, AND RETIREMENT ANNC.
MIZZIMA: CABINET SHUFFLE IN BURMA 
REUTERS: MYANMAR CABINET CHANGES AIM TO POLISH IMAGE 
THE NATION: RALLIES MAY LEAD TO DEPORTATION 
AP: SUU KYI, MYANMAR RULER TRADE BARBS 
CCN: TOWNSHIP SECURITY COMMITTEES FORMED 
XINHUA: MYANMAR ADMITS CONSTITUTION VERY SLOW 
RFB: WHY KHIN NYUNT TERMINATED OHN GYAW 
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MYANMAR INFORMATION COMMITTEE: INFORMATION SHEET NO. A.0694(I)
15 November, 1998 from MYANPERSP@xxxxxxx

[Information Sheets issued under the email addresses MYANPERSP@xxxxxxx and
OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx match those issued by the Directorate of Defence
Services Intelligence (DDSI) in Rangoon, and can be assumed to reflect
official SPDC opinion.]

Appointment, Reassignment And Retirement Announcement Made on 14 November
1998.

1.		Appointment of Deputy Prime Minister

The State Peace and Development Council has appointed and assigned duties
to Minister for Military Affairs Lt-Gen Tin Hla as Deputy Prime Minister in
addition to the present duties.

2.		Appointment of Ministers

(A)	The State Peace and Development Council has appointed and assigned
duties to Maj-Gen Saw Lwin as Minister for Industry-2.
(B)	The State Peace and Development Council has appointed and assigned
duties to U Win Aung as Minister for Foreign Affairs.

3.		Reassignment of Ministers
		The State Peace and Development Council has reassigned duties to the
following ministers as the ministers of the ministries shown against each.

(1)	 Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe			Office of the Prime Minister
(2)	 Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe		Ministry of Transport

4.		Permission  to Retire From Duties

The State Peace and Development Council has permitted Minister for Foreign
Affairs U Ohn Gyaw to retire from duties.

5.		Appointment of Deputy Ministers

The State Peace and Development Council has appointed and assigned duties
to the following  persons as deputy ministers of the ministries shown
against each:-
(1)  Brig-Gen Khin Maung Win		Ministry of Defence
(2)  Brig-Gen Than Tun			Ministry of Industry-1
(3)  Brig-Gen Win Sein 			Ministry of Labour
(4)  U Pe Than				Ministry of Transport
(5)  Col Kyaw Hsan			Ministry of Commerce

6.		Permission to Retire from Duties of Deputy Ministers
The State Peace and Development Council has permitted the following deputy
ministers to retire from duties.
(1)  Col Than Zin 				Ministry of Industry-1
(2)  U Kyaw Aye 				Ministry of Labour

7.		Appointment of Supreme Court Justices
The State Peace and Development Council has appointed and assigned duties
to the following persons as Supreme Court Justices.
(1)  U Than Oo
(2)  U Khin Maung Latt
(3)  U Khin Myint
(4)  Dr Tin Aung Aye

8.		Permission to Retire from Duties
The State Peace and Development Council has permitted the following Supreme
Court Justices to retire from duties:
(1)  U Kyaw Win
(2)  U Aung Myin
(3)  U Than Pe
(4)  U Tin Ohn
(5)  U Tin Htut Naing

9.		Appointment of Member of CSSTB
The State Peace and Development Council has reassigned duties to Deputy
Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyunt Swe as member of the Civil Service
Selection and Training Board.

10.		Appointment of Members of  CSSTB
The State Peace and Development Council has assigned duties to the
following persons as members of the Civil Service Selection and Training
Board:
(1)  U Aung Myint
(2)  U Hla Myint Oo
(3)  U Kaung Nyunt

11.		Retirement from Duties of Members of CSSTB
The State Peace and Development Council has permitted the following persons
to retire from duties of the members of Civil Service Selection and
Training Board:
(1)  U Tun Shwe
(2)  U Aung Thein 
(3)  U Tin Hlaing
(4)  U Shwe Than
(5)  U Myo Swe  

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MIZZIMA NEWS GROUP: CABINET SHUFFLE IN BURMA
14 November, 1998 

The Burmese government shuffles its ministers and deputy ministers today
with some of the important ministers "resigned". Mr. Win Aung who was
Ambassador to Britain replaces the Foreign Minister Mr. Ohn Kyaw. Lt. Gen.
Tin Ngwe, former Minister of Transport was appointed as a new deputy Prime
Minister. The two deputy ministers who "were allowed" to resign are Col.
Than Zin, Mine Ministry and Mr. Kyaw Aye, Labour Ministry. In six
ministries, new deputy ministers were appointed. These are Brig. Khin Maung
win (Defence), Brig. Win Sein (Labour), Mr. Pe Thein (Transport), Col. Kyaw
San (Trade and Commerce), and Brig. Than Tun (Industry No. 1). Maj. Gen.
Saw Lwin, former Hotels and Tourism Minister was appointed as new Minister
of Industry No. 2.

The cabinet shuffle came in the wake of a rumour spreading in Rangoon that
Burmese government is going to shuffle its cabinet with new faces, mostly
with civilians. However, today's shuffle shows that there is a few new
civilian people in the cabinet although it is a big change in the
government. Although the reasons behind the changes are not known, the
opposition groups say that the military government is facing problems and
it tries to cope the internal problems with these changes. "Today's cabinet
shuffle shows that the SPDC is facing a general crisis", said Dr. Tint Swe,
South Asian Affairs Minister of the National Coalition Government of the
Union of Burma (the exiled government). It is a surprise that the former
Foreign Minister Mr. Ohn Kyaw was kicked-out from the government. He has
been a leading campaigner on military regime's foreign policy since it took
over power in 1988. The change was so unexpected that he was meeting with
visiting Bangladesh Foreign Minister yesterday in Rangoon.

A similar cabinet shuffle happened exactly one year ago. Interestingly, the
reshuffle came after the ruling military junta formed a political committee
headed by Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt, the country's intelligence chief on 18th
September. The committee consists of 16 top military leaders, believed to
be close to Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt. He is known to be second most powerful in
the junta. The exiled opposition groups say that Khin Nyunt is gaining
upper hand in a power struggle inside the regime. The exiled National
Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB) in a statement on 22nd September said,
"by forming the political committee, Khin Nyunt-led faction of the SPDC has
managed to strengthen itself, compared to the other members of the SPDC and
that Khin Nyunt aims at gaining political control of Burma". Lt. Gen. Khin
Nyunt signed the statement of today's cabinet shuffle.

The new deputy ministers and ministers are said to be close to Lt. Gen.
Khin Nyunt. Apart from ministerial changes, Burmese government changed the
country's judiciary with four new Supreme Court Justices.. 

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REUTERS: MYANMAR CABINET CHANGES AIM TO POLISH IMAGE
15 November, 1998 

YANGON, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Myanmar has sought to improve its poor image
abroad with the appointment of a career diplomat as foreign minister at the
weekend, government sources said on Sunday.

The elevation of Myanmar's ambassador to Britain, Win Aung, to the foreign
ministership in Saturday's cabinet reshuffle marks a government effort to
ease long-standing pressure on military-ruled Myanmar from Western nations,
the sources said.

Win Aung, a diplomat for at least 10 years and former Myanmar envoy to
Germany, replaced Ohn Gyaw who retired after serving in the post since the
early 1990s.

``The change comes as Myanmar needs to improve its foreign image,'' one
government source said.

``Win Aung is a man capable of playing an active role and taking
initiatives. We don't know if Myanmar foreign policy will change but it
will be conducted in a different style.''

Ohn Gyaw was regarded as a conservative in the government, which is
criticised by the international community for its human rights record and
heavy-handed treatment of opposition political activities.

``It cannot be because of his age. There are many as old as him in the
cabinet,'' the source said. Win Aung is aged 54.

The surprise reshuffle included the addition of a third deputy prime
minister, Lieutenant General Tin Hla, who would continue to serve as
minister of military affairs.

Tin Hla has overseen the military's interest in two local banks, various
businesses as well as industrial joint ventures partly owned by the army.

The reshuffle did not affect Deputy Prime Minister Tin Tun, 68, who is
expected to retire soon because of frail health. Lieutenant General Tin
Ngwe was named Minister of the Prime Minister's Office, and former Minister
of Industry-2 Hla Myint Swe became new transport minister.

Four new deputy ministers and four supreme court judges were also named to
succeed retiring senior colleagues.

Government sources said they regarded new Foreign Minister Win Aung as a
rising star, partly due to his close ties to Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt,
the powerful Secretary One of the ruling State Peace and Development Council.

``It is good that a person who has to implement the policy is close to the
person who lays down the policy,'' a political analyst said.

Win Aung has occasionally contributed articles to state-run newspapers
under a pseudonym to express his political and foreign policy views, the
government sources said.

As ambassador to Britain, he had the tough job of maintaining relations
with London as it tried to force Myanmar out of the International Labour
Organisation and discouraged Britons from visiting Myanmar, the sources
said.. 

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THE NATION: BURMESE JUNTA'S ANTI-SUU KYI RALLIES MAY LEAD TO DEPORTATION
14 November, 1998 by Chao-Tzang Yawnghwe 

THE RALLIES STAGE-MANAGED BY THE BURMESE JUNTA HAVE A SERIOUS SIGNIFICANCE.
THEY ARE PART OF THE AGENDA LEADING TO SUU KYI'S DEPORTATION, WRITES
CHAO-TZANG YAWNGHWE.

MONTREAL - The Burmese junta has embarked on a 'mass campaign' to denounce
Aung San Suu Kyi. The mass rallies held throughout the country can be
judged as geared toward achieving several objectives. The most obvious aim
is to convince the outside world that the people have turned against the
popular daughter of Gen Aung San, a man widely regarded as the "father" of
both Burma's independence and the armed forces, the tatmadaw.

The 'mass' rallies serve another more important purpose, however. They are
meant to convince undecided or wavering elements within the military that
sticking with the junta is their best bet on the ground that the junta is
supported t by the mass of the people, or obversely, that the 'masses' has
deserted Aung San Suu Kyi. The ruling generals are reportedly very nervous
about rumours that the majority of officers below the rank of major are in
favour of transferring power to a civilian government headed by Suu Kyi, or
that they secretly sympathise with her.

The anti-Suu Kyi rallies are orchestrated mainly by the military-sponsored
quasi-political body, the USDA (Union Solidarity and Development
Association). The 'grand patron' of the Usda is reported to be a man who
earned the nickname, the 'Butcher of Rangoon', Sein Lwin, who was also
appointed the country's president by Ne Win in late July I988 (and was
forced to resign due to continuing protest rallies in early August. Sein
Lwin's hlonhtein or riot squad was responsible for the brutal crushing of
students demonstrators in June). The core cadres of the Usda comprises of
'thuggish elements' indoctrinated with a racist-like variety of Burman
ultranationalism, one based on the myth that the Burmans are a superior
conquering race. Informed sources in Rangoon say that Sein Lwin is also the
mentor of, and personally close to General Maung Aye, regarded as head of
the hardline faction and rival of, tentatively, the current 'strongman'
(more or less), Gen Khin Nyunt. The rallies are well-planned. Before each
rally, the military designates several people as supporting speakers.
Rehearsals supervised by local Usda bosses and cadres are held prior to the
actual rallies. Everyone is 'forced to participate'. Besides, for many
villagers attending rallies is less arduous than "hewing wood and carrying
water" for soldiers, a chore which they are coerced into on a regular
basis. The theme running through these rallies, calling for the
deportation, by force if necessary, of Daw Suu Kyi, has very much worried
leaders of the democratic opposition, based on the Thai-Burma border and in
Burmese communities overseas. They fear that once she is evicted from the
country, the people inside will be so demoralised that the flame of
resistance and hope will be extinguished. Her presence inside the country
is seen as vital. Many foreign experts on politics in Burma also agree that
her removal from the country would strengthen the military's position
immeasurably, and would in all likelihood also boost Khin Nyunt's position
and his chance of becoming the second Ne Win.

However, although the forcible deportation of Suu Kyi is viewed by the
ruling generals as desirable, and might well be most advantageous, sources
close to the military report that the generals are nervous about
manhandling 'The Lady' on board an outbound flight. Firstly, they fear
international complications that could arise from such a blatant use of
force. Secondly, they are not sure of how younger officers would react to
her forcible deportation.

It might be the last straw that breaks the camel's back. From the
perspective therefore of intra-military politics, the stage-managed rallies
must be seen as the attempt by the junta to convince officers below the
rank of major that the deportation of Suu Kyi, by force if necessary, is a
measure forced upon the junta by the people.

The rallies are therefore not meaning less as rallies during the pre-1988
military socialist years were. They are very significant in the sense that
they are geared to a  specific end the deportation of Suu Kyi, by force if
necessary. The forcible eviction of Daw Suu Kyi from Burma would
appreciably strengthen the hand of the military junta, but whether this
will come to pass will very much depends on how convinced elements within
the military, especially younger officers, are that this is the wish of the
people.

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AP: SUU KYI, MYANMAR RULER TRADE BARBS
13 November, 1998 

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) -- Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi and the
leader of the military regime that has frustrated her drive to bring more
democracy to Myanmar traded barbs Friday as each marked National Day.

The holiday commemorates the first boycott by university students 78 years
ago against British colonial rule, a watershed in the independence struggle
of Myanmar, also known as Burma.

Sen. Gen. Than Shwe, chairman of the ruling State Peace and Development
Council, accused Suu Kyi and her party of trying to undermine the country.

``It will be seen that, organizing on the pretexts of democracy and human
rights, they are violating numerous laws and perpetrating instigations to
create anarchy,'' Than Shwe said in a statement published by official
newspapers.

Suu Kyi, leader of the opposition National League for Democracy, told about
300 supporters at party headquarters that the past 36 years of military
rule had lowered educational standards far below what they were during the
British period.

Party members cited her as saying that only the emergence of a democratic
system would guarantee a modern and advanced educational system in the
country.

Universities have been closed for two years following unrest by students
demanding more civil liberties. Students have traditionally been a driving
force for political change in the country.

They formed a large number of the estimated 3,000 people killed nationwide
when the military cracked down on months of protests.

Suu Kyi, 52, daughter of independence hero Aung San, was propelled to the
forefront of Myanmar's pro-democracy struggle by the unrest. She has been
under house arrest or other restrictions for the past decade.

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COMMUNICATION CENTER NEW DELHI (NCGUB): TOWNSHIP SECURITY FORMED
13 November, 1998 

The SPDC has recently issued an order, which is secret as the status of
instruction.

Since September first week, all Township PDCs have to constitute the
security committees in every township. The committees were assigned for
protection of the law and order and handling the emergency matters in the
respective Townships.

The format of a township security supervising committee is as follow:
Chairman of TPDC                Chairman
Secretary of TPDC               Member
A member of TPDC                Member
Township Justice                Member
Township law Officer            Member
Municipal officer               Member
Fire brigade Officer            Member
Medical officer         Member
Red-cross officer               Member
USDA officer                    Member
Police officer          Secretary

The committee was instructed:

1. To work full time at the township PDC office,
2. To inform all important developments to District, Division and State
Peace and Development Councils immediately, and
3. To seek the help of police and armed forces to take necessary measures
in accordance with laws to combat those activities.

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XINHUA: MYANMAR ADMITS DRAFTING OF CONSTITUTION VERY SLOW
13 November, 1998 

YANGON (Nov. 13) XINHUA - The Myanmar government has admitted that the pace
of drafting the new constitution is very slow, but said it dares not to
impose a deadline, according to an official information document issued
here Friday.

These remarks were made by Lieutenant-Colonel Hla Min, general staff
officer of the Bureau of Strategic Studies of the Myanmar Defense Ministry,
in an interview with a reporter of the Asian Wall Street Journal recently.

He said that Myanmar is working on the most sensitive and serious chapter,
which is the sharing of power between the central government and the states
and divisions. Myanmar began the National Convention process in January
1993 to draft a new state constitution. On the issue of when another
parliamentary election will be held, Hla Min quoted Senior-General Than
Shwe, chairman of the Myanmar State Peace and Development Council, as
saying that "once we resolve power-sharing, it will take about three years
to finish elections and everything," indicating that the last 1990
multi-party general election becomes invalid.

Asked whether former Indonesian president Soeharto's downfall in May alters
 Myanmar's interest in an Indonesia political model, he denied that Myanmar
is carbon-copying the Indonesian constitution. "Twenty-five percent of the
seats in the parliament will be given to representatives appointed by the
commander-in-chief of the defense services," he said.

He stressed, "If the military is not involved in national affairs, there is
no guarantee that we will not have to go back to square one, fighting all
the ethnic groups again."

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RADIO FREE BURMA: WHY KHIN NYUNT TERMINATED OHN GYAW
15 November, 1998 from <rfb@xxxxxxxxxxx> 

First Burmese Language Internet Radio in the World

Dear friends, The 15 November 98 program of Radio Free Burma is available
now.  You can listen either Radio Free Burma page
http://www.fast.net.au/rfb   or http://users.imagiware.com/wtongue/ of the
Radio Free Burma originally on 2NBC in Australia, is now available for
real-time playback via Real Audio. This is a Burmese-language program
featuring Burma news, U Thaung's article, views and music of Burma
presented by Burmese now living in Australia. It will be appreciated any
suggestion about program, Please sends E-mail to (rfb@xxxxxxxxxxx )Many
thanks to Mr Wrightson Tongue ,Burma Net and all listeners. Radio Free
Burma www.fast.net.au/rfb.

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