NATION: Burma Leadership Changes Fa

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Subject: NATION: Burma Leadership Changes Favor Hardliners




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April 29, 1994

Reuters

Burma Leadership Changes Favor Hardline Faction

Burma's military junta has elevated army chief Maung Aye to vice
chairman of its ruling body, a move seen by diplomats as
strengthening the grip on power of Lt. Gen Khin Nyunt.

Maung Aye, considered a rising star in the military hierarchy,
became vice chairman of the country's State Law and Order
Restoration Council (SLORC), Burmese state television reported on
Wednesday night.

His appointment and a minor reshuffle of government portfolios were
interpreted as evidence of further jockeying for position between
hardliner Khin Nyunt and General Than Shwe, Slorc chairman.

"Maung Aye is very close to Khin Nyunt so when the Slorc appointed
him vice chairman this clearly indicated that Than Shwe's time is
running out," a Rangoon-based diplomat told Reuters.

The Slorc chairman has been locked in a power struggle with the
council's Number One Secretary Khin Nyunt for several months, the
diplomate said.

Maung Aye is a former military commander of the eastern region who
was promoted to four-star general and army chief in 1993.

Burma-watchers in Bangkok said the reshuffle showed that the
hardline faction in the military junta was consolidating its grip.

"Khin Nyunt is taking absolute control of Slorc, where he has Maung
Aye behind him.  So it is possible that Maung Aye will be promoted
to replace Than Shwe in the near future," a Burmese observer said.

In the reshuffle of Burma's 30-member military-dominated cabinet,
Than Aung, former livestock and cooperatives minister, was given
the education portfolio.  Colonel Pe Thein was switched from
education to become minister attached to the prime minister's
office.

Dr. Than Nyunt was appointed deputy education minister, Aung Thien
became deputy minister for livestock breeding and fisheries, while
Colonel Aung San was named deputy minister for construction.