Burma News International

 

Date: February 2, 2005

 

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(1) M yanmar's military junta headed for another huge shake-up

(2) Opposition groups deny terrorist accusation by military government

(In Burmese)

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*** Note****

For Burmese language story please read in www.bnionline.net.



Myanmar's military junta headed for another huge shake-up

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By Sarbari Bhaumik

Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)

February 2, 2005

 

Myanmar's ruling military junta, the State Peoples Development Council,

(SPDC) is headed for another major purge. This time, the victim could be

none other General Maung Aye, the country's army chief and vice-chairman

of the

SPDC, number two to the supremo Senior General Than Swe.

 

Lieutenant General Soe Win, who replaced military intelligence chief

Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, is also on his way out.

 

Foreign intelligence officials monitoring Myanmar, diplomats based in 

Yangon and Burmese journalists inside the country have confirmed that

General Maung Aye is in "huge trouble."

 

Maung Aye has been told not to move out of the capital Yangon," said an

Indian intelligence official, citing a signals intercept. Diplomats

trying to meet him have been told not to "disturb" the number two leader

of the military junta.

 

"This could be a prelude to his ultimate ouster,"  said Andrew Selth

author of "Burma's Tatmadaw: Power Without Glory,"  the most

authoritative book on the Myanmar defence forces:  "His days are numbered."

 

Selth has excellent contacts in the Myanmarese military . Besides his

latest book, he  has authored scores of very authentic monographs on the

country's defence forces and intelligence services.

 

Lt-General Soe Win, who replaced the deposed military intelligence

chief Lt-General Khin Nyunt, is also on his way out, intelligence

officials and diplomats say.

 

Both Maung Aye and Soe Win have fallen out with Senior General Than

Swe, who is opposed to any dialogue with pro-democracy leader Aung Sang

Suu Kyi .

 

Maung Aye and Soe Win advocated "limited dialogue" with the

pro-democracy leadership , Than Swe is interested in only releasing

prisoners, but opposed to allowing political parties to function, and

not at all willing to release Aung Sang Suu Kyi .

 

"Than Swe's recent visits abroad and diplomatic interaction has

convinced him of the support of his neighbours, China and India and the

ASEAN countries. He is therefore not willing to do too much to change

the ways of  the junta," says Burma analyst Larry Jagan.

 

Jagan, former BBC  Asia-Pacific region chief, says Lt-General Soe Win

has already been dropped, but the announcement has not been made.

 

"That announcement will be made once Maung Aye has been handled. Either

Maung Aye falls in line or gets the sack," said a Burmese journalist in

Yangon, on strict condition of anonymity.

 

Maung Aye is "under effective house arrest,". he said, but added that

no heavy troop deployment has been noticed near his official residence.

 

"Military guards and secret agents in civvies have been placed on his

house. Visitors including diplomats are told not to disturb the

general,"said the Burmese journalist.

 

The only exception may be the Thai commander in chief. He is scheduled

to meet Maung Aye on Tuesday.

 

Late last year, Than Swe sacked his military intelligence chief and

prime minister Lt-General Khin Nyunt and got him and his businessman son

tried for corruption. Some other military officials close to him were

also sacked.

 

****End***

 

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Burma News International is a network of nine exiled media groups

such as Mizzima News, Shan Herald Agency for News, Kao Wao News Group,

Khonumthung News Group, Narinjara News, Kaladan Press Network,

Independent Mon News Agency, Karenni Information

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