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Speculation over Tin Oo successor
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Speculation over Tin Oo successor
The Hindu (New Delhi)
February 24, 2001
By Amit Baruah
SINGAPORE, FEB. 23. The death of Lt. Gen. Tin Oo, the number four man in
the military Government of Myanmar, in a helicopter crash earlier this
week, has led to considerable speculation about his likely successor
coming from one of the two factions in the State Peace and Development
Council (SPDC).
In an analysis, The Straits Times said the man appointed to the job
would indicate which of the two factions - one led by the Army Chief and
SPDC Vice-Chairman, Gen. Maung Aye, or the other one headed by the
military intelligence chief and SPDC Secretary- 1, Lt. Gen Khin Nyunt -
would emerge on top.
``In reformist terms, both are hard nuts. Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt's shell is
softer, but only just. The late Tin Oo, 67, as an ally of Gen. Maung
Aye, was expected to take his job if the General moved up to become SPDC
Chairman on Gen. Than Shwe's retirement,'' the paper argued.
However, the analysis said, Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt may now have his eye on
appointing a man of his choice to the vacant position of Army Chief of
Staff, the job Lt. Gen. Tin Oo held. The intelligence chief, who has had
several rounds of talks with the National League for Democracy (NLD)
general secretary, Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, was described as the ``public
face'' of the regime; the man that visiting diplomats met in Yangon.
``Gen. Maung Aye, on the other hand, is a solid Army man and is thought
to be suspicious of any moves to accommodate Ms. Suu Kyi. He is also an
opponent of economic liberalisation. The leaning of Lt. Gen. Tin Oo's
replacement will suggest which of these two men's star is on the
ascendant,'' the newspaper said.
``Myanmar watchers say the death of Lt. Gen. Tin Oo is a loss to Gen.
Maung Aye. Considered a tough soldier and respected within Army circles,
he was hated by the ethnic minorities... diplomats say a culture of fear
within the regime prevents insiders speaking about what is going on. Lt.
Gen Tin Oo's replacement may say nothing, but who he is will speak
volumes,'' the newspaper added.
It is not clear when a successor would be appointed though a military
funeral for Lt. Gen. Tin Oo was held today in Yangon.
Interestingly, those familiar with Myanmar say that while Gen. Maung Aye
is a veteran of many a battle against the communist guerillas and
ethnic insurgents, Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt has never been a fighting man.
Given the fact that this counts for a lot in the military, it is evident
that Gen. Maung Aye commands considerable support from the rank and file
of the Army.
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<center><b><font color="#0000FF"><font size=+2>Speculation over Tin Oo
successor</font></font></b></center>
<p><font color="#CC0000"><font size=+1>The Hindu (New Delhi)</font></font>
<br><font color="#CC0000"><font size=+1>February 24, 2001</font></font>
<p><font size=+1>By <font color="#800000">Amit Baruah</font></font>
<p><font size=+1><font color="#CC0000">SINGAPORE, FEB. 23.</font> The death
of Lt. Gen. Tin Oo, the number four man in the military Government of Myanmar,
in a helicopter crash earlier this week, has led to considerable speculation
about his likely successor coming from one of the two factions in the State
Peace and Development Council (SPDC).</font>
<p><font size=+1>In an analysis, The Straits Times said the man appointed
to the job would indicate which of the two factions - one led by the Army
Chief and SPDC Vice-Chairman, Gen. Maung Aye, or the other one headed by
the military intelligence chief and SPDC Secretary- 1, Lt. Gen Khin Nyunt
- would emerge on top.</font>
<p><font size=+1>``In reformist terms, both are hard nuts. Lt. Gen. Khin
Nyunt's shell is softer, but only just. The late Tin Oo, 67, as an ally
of Gen. Maung Aye, was expected to take his job if the General moved up
to become SPDC Chairman on Gen. Than Shwe's retirement,'' the paper argued.</font>
<p><font size=+1>However, the analysis said, Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt may now
have his eye on appointing a man of his choice to the vacant position of
Army Chief of Staff, the job Lt. Gen. Tin Oo held. The intelligence chief,
who has had several rounds of talks with the National League for Democracy
(NLD) general secretary, Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, was described as the ``public
face'' of the regime; the man that visiting diplomats met in Yangon.</font>
<p><font size=+1>``Gen. Maung Aye, on the other hand, is a solid Army man
and is thought to be suspicious of any moves to accommodate Ms. Suu Kyi.
He is also an opponent of economic liberalisation. The leaning of Lt. Gen.
Tin Oo's replacement will suggest which of these two men's star is on the
ascendant,'' the newspaper said.</font>
<p><font size=+1>``Myanmar watchers say the death of Lt. Gen. Tin Oo is
a loss to Gen. Maung Aye. Considered a tough soldier and respected within
Army circles, he was hated by the ethnic minorities... diplomats say a
culture of fear within the regime prevents insiders speaking about what
is going on. Lt. Gen Tin Oo's replacement may say nothing, but who he is
will speak volumes,'' the newspaper added.</font>
<p><font size=+1>It is not clear when a successor would be appointed though
a military funeral for Lt. Gen. Tin Oo was held today in Yangon.</font>
<p><font size=+1>Interestingly, those familiar with Myanmar say that while
Gen. Maung Aye is a veteran of many a battle against the communist
guerillas and ethnic insurgents, Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt has never been
a fighting man.</font>
<p><font size=+1>Given the fact that this counts for a lot in the military,
it is evident that Gen. Maung Aye commands considerable support from the
rank and file of the Army.</font>
<br>
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