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Report from Aung Lynn Htut(April, 2009)
Since I left from embassy, I am still in touch with getting inside information fromBurma. According to my sources, the state level quarterly meeting held on March2009. Attendees are members of cabinet ministers and regional commanders.During the meeting, Than Shwe told them that he has no desire to compromisewith Daw Aung Sun Su Kyi unless he needs it. He intentionally uses her asdomestic and international issue. Than Shwe has no courage to talk with DASSKface to face now. So he has appointed Major General Aung Kyi as arepresentative.He is afraid to hand over his power to the people. Finally, Than Shwe has becomewicked and cunning towards the people of Burma. No one understands whatThan Shwe is doing including government higher position officials. His plan is tochange the form of government, however he still want to hold the power indifferent way. As a military psychological officer, Than Shwe knows how to treaton the people badly by psychologically. For example, he frequently cut the powerin Burma. He believes that people have problems in daily life, if they won’t payattention on current political issues. He is far worse than U Ne Win.Most of Than Shwe’s personal expense comes from Myanmar Economy Holding(MEH) and Myanmar Economy Corporation (MEC). MEH is lead by Lt: General TinAye who is Than Shwe’s former personal assistant (PA) in No. (88) Division andcurrent Chief of Defense Industry and SPDC member.MEH manage all economicministries (Trade, Mine, Forest, Energy, Livestock, Fishery, Agriculture, Industry(1), Industry (2), Electrical Power). MEC is lead by Quarter Master General .MECmanages only military own factories and enterprises. Therefore, Than Shwe canspend money unlimitedly without auditing.Soft constructive engagement method won’t be change for Than Shwe’s mind. Henever pays attention to this method. His offensive diplomacy is using China, India,
 
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Russia and ASEAN. Therefore my suggestion is to divide the relationship withthese countries. Also we need to give more pressure from the western countries.We should utilize the Chinese government to increase the pressure on Burma.When I was in embassy, I discussed with a Chinese intelligence officer concerningChinese’s policy on Burma at the Washington DC in 2003. At that time, he told methat Chinese will accept Daw Aung Sun Su Kyi if she takes the power. He is one of the assistants of the current Chinese president, Hu Jintao. Actually Chinese wantto be stabilized in Burma intern of political and economic. They are onlyinterested in doing business with Burma. When NLD won the 1990 election,Chinese ambassador in Burma acknowledged the first. When I was in war office,Than Shwe, Maung Aye and Khin Nyunt frequently talked about Chinese. Theyknow that Chinese is not a good friend but they have to join with them inevitably.Particularly, Than Shwe and Maung Aye fought Burmese communist party troops(At that time Chinese backed up them) when they were in the infantry units.Maung Aye always told commanders at every operation meeting that we have tobe ready to fight WA and we need to watch whatever their movements. Chineseis still control armed groups along the borders of China and Burma. When ShweMann visited to China last year, he requested Chinese government to help thearmed groups for giving up their arms. China did not accept his request.Moreover, during the Chinese Foreign Minister visit to Burma in 2008, Than Shwewas frustrated at the meeting because the Chinese Foreign Minister told him thatSPDC needs to pursue the UN’s request which is dialogue with opposition groups.After Chinese Foreign Minister’s visit, Burmese government decided that nottaking hold of arms from peace groups.Since Than Shwe was frustrated with Chinese, he invited Russia nuclear experts tosearch uranium around the area in Burma. He knows that China dislike towardsRussia and Burma’s close relationship. In early 2009, Chinese CommunistExecutive member, Chinese military chief and other delegations visited Burma toease SPDC. Right now, one of the most problems is the gas pipe lines. First, theyagreed to build gas pipe lines from Akyab (Sittwe) to China. After that, Than Shwemade changes the agreement to build gas pipe lines from Kyauk Phyu to China. Itis problem for China because they have already finished their plan to build the gas
 
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pipe lines in 2010. So they have to negotiate with Burmese authorities again. Evenafter memorandums agreement in 2002/2003, Than Shwe refused to sign anagreement of using the Irrawaddy during the Chinese president Jiang Zemin’s
 
visit. Agreement was for the Burmese government to allow Chinese cargo ships inIrrawaddy River. They would build the tar road from Chinese border to Bamaw(Kachin State). And then they want to build a sea port in Irrawaddy River (Bamaw)and manage along Irrawaddy River to exit Bay of Bangel. The refusing reason of Than Shwe was he does not want to see Chinese flags in Irrawaddy River. At thattime, Chinese president was so angry. Presently China has seven hydro powerprojects to make in the northern part of Burma. They want to make contractsbefore 2010 election in Burma. As a result, they lobby the government officials tosign the contracts as soon as possible. We need to persuade China to join us andwe have to try to get China to not veto in UN concerning Burma bill.Than Shwe knows very well that India is harmless to Burma. India has insurgent’sproblems along the border of India and Burma. There are Naga, Kuki, Kathe andChin ethnic insurgent groups. Naga, Kuki and Kathe insurgent groups are trying toget independence from India. Previously, Burmese government allowed stayingon the border and supported ration and weapons secretly. After the Indian PrimeMinister Rajid Gandhi died, India invited to Burmese authorities to visit anddiscuss with them. Colonel Kyaw Thein (Directorate of Defense ServiceIntelligence) and U Aye (Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs) went toIndia in 1992.They met military officials and government officials. After thatBurmese military officers and intelligence officers went to India to learn trainingcourses in India school. For the time being, India issued their new policy “To seeeast”. And then they concern movements of Chinese navy in the Bay of Bengal.Therefore, Than Shwe uses India like as pawn in his check game. It means Indiacould not make a problem on Burma.Than Shwe uses ASEAN countries like as a lawyer for Burma to lobby the westerncountries. In 1998, Than Shwe was very mad to ASEAN regarding Daw Aung SunSu Kyi. He intended to withdraw from ASEAN at that time. He told his staff that if ASEAN talk about Daw Aung Sun Su Kyi, we will leave from ASEAN. However,some ASEAN countries are having business with Burmese government. Thailand
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