12 November
2001
The Shakeup
There has been a major shakeup in the military leadership, the military
cabinet, and the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). Although
reports about possible changes in the higher military ranks were circulating
a few weeks ago, the move nevertheless took Burma watchers by surprise
particularly because the purges involved top senior officers.
"Declarations" signed by intelligence chief Lt Gen Khin Nyunt,
by virtue of his position as SPDC Secretary-1, announced the first dismissals
on 10 November. The two "declarations" were so terse they
sounded discourteous even by Burmese military standards. "The State
Peace and Development Council (SPDC) has terminated the duties of SPDC
Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint with effect from today (9 November),"
said one, while another said, "The SPDC has terminated the duties
of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Military Affairs Lt-Gen Tin
Hla with effect from today."
No explanations were given or reasons offered to help save the face
of the two disgraced generals who for some time have been tipped as
the most likely officers to take the Secretary-2 post in the SPDC--a
position left vacant when Lt Gen Tin Oo was killed in a helicopter crash
earlier this year.
News agencies speculated that because both Win Myint, who is also the
Adjutant General of the Defense Services, and Tin Hla, the Quartermaster
General, were deeply involved in the economic workings of the military
state and headed the state business enterprises--Union of Myanmar Economic
Holdings and Myanmar Economic Corporation--corruption and mismanagement
were the reasons for their dismissal.
AFP quoted a diplomat who suggested, "They were running the purchasing
for the government, so effectively they were holding the country's purse
strings... They are just not being very honest in their dealings and
they've paid the price for that." The diplomat said Malaysian premier
Mahathir Mohamed recently passed on to Senior General Than Shwe a complaint
from a company that claimed it had been the victim of corruption.
But sources close to the workings of the Burmese military say corruption
and mismanagement have been always there and they traditionally become
excuses only when the top leadership decides to dismiss officials who
have fallen from grace.
Win Myint, a career infantry officer who rose from the ranks, was an
obscure infantry officer until 1988 when he played an active role in
crushing democracy protesters. Some of his actions won him the recognition
of the top brass and he became the commander of No.11 Light Infantry
Division. He was also notorious for his ruthless treatment of Karen
nationalities and the burning of villages in suppressing the Karen National
Union in Irrawaddy areas and for his heavy-handed treatment of Muslims
as commander of the Western Command.
Tin Hla, unlike Win Myint, started his military career as an officer
trainee. He graduated in the 6th batch of the Defense Services Academy
in Maymyo. He also won the praise and recognition from the top brass
because of his service as the commander of the No. 22 Light Infantry
Division, notorious for crushing pro-democracy demonstrators in 1988.
'Retirees'
Rear Admiral Maung Maung Khin and Lt Gen Tin Tun, former commanders
in chief of Navy and the Air Force and members of the ruling State Law
and Order Restoration Council who were reduced in importance when they
were appointed as deputy prime ministers after the SPDC was formed,
were among the five members of the Cabinet who were permitted "to
retire from duties with effect from today (9 November)," says "declarations"
issued on 10 November. The other sacked ministers are: Minister of Culture
Win Sein, Minister for Cooperatives Aung San, and Minister for Immigration
and Manpower Saw Tun.
Rangoon sources had earlier indicated that Minister Ket Sein of the
Ministry of Health would be in the list of retirees. This has so far
not been the case.
Regional Military Commanders
Perhaps even more important than the dismissal of ministers are the
expected changes in regional commanders. Rangoon military sources say
10 out of the 12 regional military commanders are likely to be transferred
and promoted in the current shakeup.
Brig Gen Myint Swe, who became the commander of the Southeast Military
Command earlier this year, and Brig. Gen. Aye Kywe, appointed as commander
of the Coastal Region Command last year, are the only two officers expected
to retain their positions. Both are new appointees with connections
to Sr. Gen. Than Shwe.
Maj Gen Myint Swe was once a General Staff Colonel under Sr. Gen Than
Shwe in the No. 11 Light Infantry Division, and Maj. Gen. Aye Kywe once
served with the No. 88 Light Infantry Division also under Sr. General
Than Shwe.
The Rising Star
According to Burmese military watchers here are some expected changes
in the military command structure with all commanders promoted to the
rank of lieutenant general and several commanders holding more than
one position:
The rising star in the latest moves is likely to be Lt. Gen. Thura Shwe
Mann, Commander of Southwest Command. He is tipped to become the Commander
in Chief of Army currently held by SPDC's No. 2 man General Maung Aye
and to take over the newly created post of Joint Chief of Staff of the
Defense Services.
Gen Maung Aye will retain his rank as the Deputy Commander in Chief
of Defense Services.
Lt. Gen. Tin Aye, Commander of Southern Command is expected to become
Military Training General.
Four commanders
are expected to be promoted to lieutenant generals and appointed to
the Bureau of Special Operations, Ministry of Defense
Commander
of Rangoon Command Lt. Gen. Khin Maung Than
Commander of Central Command Lt. Gen. Ye Myint
Commander of Western Command Lt. Gen. Aung Htwe
Commander of Eastern Command Lt. Gen. Maung Bo
Three commanders expected
to be attached to the Commander-In-Chief (Army) Office:
Commander of Northwest Command Lt. Gen. Soe Win
Commander of Northern Command Lt. Gen. Kyaw Win
Commander of Southern Command Lt. Gen. Tin Aye
Six regional military
commanders will become heads of newly created Tat-Taw (what are expected
to be zone-based army commands, similar to the Thai Army's First Army,
Second Army, etc)
Lt. Gen. Khin Maung Than (Ex-Rangoon Command)
Lt. Gen. Ye Myint (Ex-Central Command)
Lt. Gen. Aung Htwe (Ex-Western Command)
Lt. Gen. Kyaw Win (Ex-Northern Command)
Lt. Gen. Maung Bo (Ex-Eastern Command)
Lt. Gen. Soe Win (Ex-Northwest Command)
Developments to Monitor
Regional commanders by virtue of their commands hold posts in the SPDC.
All present commanders before their transfers are SPDC members. Something
to look out for is whether the new commanders will have the same status.
If regional commanders are left out of the SPDC, a few generals at the
top will have unrestricted powers to make decisions.
No replacements were named to the Cabinet in place of the six ministers
removed. SPDC has only concentrated on strengthening the military infrastructure.
Rangoon sources say Lt Gen Khin Nyunt has been promoted to officiate
as a full general. According to procedure, Lt Gen Khin Nyunt's promotion
will become official after one year.
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