Aye Ne Win-The grandson of former dictator Ne Win
In the life of Aye Ne Win nothing is normal. Born in 1976 into the most powerful family in the country, that of omnipotent ruler Ne Win, the dictator’s grandson sat front row during key events in Myanmar’s history. Later the family name became a burden that landed him a lengthy prison sentence over an alleged coup plot.
From an early age Aye Ne Win learned that he was not a normal child. His mother, Daw Sandar Win, taught him how to behave responsibly and wave at the passing motorcades of visiting dignitaries.
At school some children had a hard time adjusting to their prominent fellow pupil. “When I was eight years old one of my friends told me my lunchbox was stolen,” Aye Ne Win said. “When I checked they had returned the box. My food was still in it. It turned out they had wanted to take a look at what I ate. They were disappointed I ate the same food as anybody else.”
Aye Ne Win, a well-groomed dandy with a slightly chubby posture, sat down for the interview at a cousin’s house. The Ne Win family’s lakeside residence is off limits to journalists and photographers.
When he was 12, Myanmar, then still called Burma, faced turbulent times. Millions joined protests against the junta that culminated in a national uprising on August 8, 1988. On that historical date protests and strikes paralysed the country. The army reacted with force. About 3,000 demonstrators were killed in a bloody crackdown.
“When the army shoots, it shoots to kill,” Ne Win had warned.
For Aye Ne Win the protests didn’t signify anything special. He mostly stayed in. “I and my family never felt we were in danger. There were demonstrations, yes, but we didn’t feel threatened at all. We went about our usual routine.”
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8. 3/28/2017 U Aye Ne Win: Rewriting history | Frontier Myanmar
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In June 2015 the brothers said they were taking a majority share in Asia Green
Development Bank, which was owned by controversial businessman, U Tay Za. Media
reports quoted U Aye Ne Win as saying that the China National Corporation for Overseas
Economic Corporation was using the family company, Omni, to invest US$4.9 billion in
the Myanmar economy. Later, AGD Bank executives said that only 15 percent of the
shares changed hands.
U Aye Ne Win is hesitant to talk about the transaction. “I’m not a liberty to discuss. It is
proper for the bank to make its own announcement on that,” he said.
Despite the lost years in prison, he is not vindictive. “I think forgiveness is a good thing,”
U Aye Ne Win said. “I feel the government should announce a general amnesty. The
stakeholders who can bring about change should feel confident enough to talk freely and
work together, without having to lock their doors at night.”
Although historians – and many Myanmar – have been critical of Ne Win’s repressive
legacy after he seized power power in 1962, U Aye Ne Win refuses to condemn his
grandfather. He is even unsure if dictatorship is any worse than democracy.
“Even democracy can’t guarantee that you won’t get a ruler like Adolf Hitler; he was
democratically chosen, a majority of the people in Nazi Germany supported him,” he
said.
“His popularity never went down enough to have him voted out, if elections would have
taken place. So, for me, it is hard to say if I prefer democracy or authoritarian rule.”
1
12. 3/28/2017 Ne Win’s Grandsons Among 69 Released Political Prisoners in Myanmar
https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/newinsgrandsonsamong69releasedpoliticalprisoners.html 1/3
Burma
Ne Win’s Grandsons Among
69 Released Political
Prisoners
By NYEIN NYEIN 15 November 2013
President Thein Sein pardoned 69 political prisoners and they are being released from
18 prisons on Friday. Two grandsons of the late Burmese dictator General Ne Win are
among those who are set free, a human rights group said.
An announcement by the President’s Office said that “the released prisoners were
suggested by the Political Prisoners Assessment Committee.” This government-
appointed committee, comprising cabinet members and rights activists, is tasked with
determining which prisoners are being held for political reasons.
President Thein Sein pardoned 69 political prisoners on Friday. Two grandsons of the late Burmese dictator Ne Win
are among those who are set free.
13. 3/28/2017 Ne Win’s Grandsons Among 69 Released Political Prisoners in Myanmar
https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/newinsgrandsonsamong69releasedpoliticalprisoners.html 2/3
Kyaw Ne Win and Aye Ne Win, two grandsons of former dictator Ne Win, are being
released from Rangoon’s Insein prison on Friday, according to the Thailand-based
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).
They were charged with high treason for plotting to overthrow the then military regime
and sentenced to a suspended death sentence in 2002, shortly after Ne Win died while
under house arrest on Dec. 5, 2002.
Four family members of Ne Win were arrested at the time in relation to a coup d’état
plot. Ne Win’s son-in-law Aye Zaw Win and another grandson, Zwae Ne Win, were
released from prison in January 2012. Ne Win’s daughter Sandar Win was released
from house arrest in 2008.
AAPP Secretary Bo Kyi said Kyaw Ne Win and Aye Ne Win had been put on the
committee’s list of political prisoners following a letter of their family, requesting their
release.
Friday’s prisoners release also includes about two dozen people sentenced under
article 18 of the Peaceful Assembly Act, which sets a maximum sentence of one year
imprisonment for organizing a protest without a government permit.
Naw Ohn Hla, a female activist who had organized protests against the Letpadaung
copper mine in Sagaing Division, was released from Mandalay Prison on Friday, along
with two other local activists. They had been sentenced to prison terms of up to two
years under article 18 and the Penal Code’s article 505 b, which sets penalties for
inciting public unrest.
In Arakan State, a total of 21 Arakanese activists were set free.
Nine activists, who had been sentenced under article 18 for leading unauthorized
protests against aid support plans for the Rohingya Muslim community, were released,
according to Htun Naing, a member of Arakan Social Network. Women’s activist Nyo
Aye was among them.
Another 12 Arakanese community activists were set free in Kyaukphyu and Thandwe
townships, where they had been imprisoned for organizing protests against the Shwe
oil and gas pipeline.
Civil society groups in Burma recently begun a campaign calling for amendments to
article 18, as they argue it is being used to stifle public dissent and peaceful protests.
14. 3/28/2017 Ne Win’s Grandsons Among 69 Released Political Prisoners in Myanmar
https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/newinsgrandsonsamong69releasedpoliticalprisoners.html 3/3
Fifteen ethnic prisoners, from Shan and Kachin states, were also released on Friday.
They were serving lengthy prison terms after they were sentenced under article 17 of
the Unlawful Association Act, a draconian junta-era law often used to apprehend
suspected ethnic rebels and activists.
Bo Kyi, of AAPP, welcomed the release of the 69 political prisoners, but said that the
government had stopped short of acknowledging that they had been held as prisoners
of conscience.
“All those released people need to be recognized as political prisoners, but the
government now releases them without recognizing them as such,” he said. According
to AAPP, 60 political prisoners remain behind bars in Burma, while 265 political activists
are currently on trial and potentially facing imprisonment.
“We want all the remaining political prisoners to be freed without any condition,” said
Bo Kyi.
Since assuming office in 2011, Thein Sein’s reformist, nominally-civilian government has
released hundreds of political prisoners, most of who were detained by the previous
military regime.
Last month, 56 political prisoners were released. Thein Sein has said that before the
end of this year all prisoners of conscience will be released.
In its statement on Friday, the President’s Office said the Political Prisoners Assessing
Committee is “working to be able to free all the political prisoners before the end of
December.”
Nyein Nyein
The Irrawaddy
Nyein Nyein is Senior Reporter at the
English edition of The Irrawaddy.
15. 3/2002
WILL THE FAILED COUP ATTEMPT DERAIL THE ONGOING NATIONAL
RECONCILIATION AND POLITICAL TRANSITION IN MYANMAR?
Maung Aung Myoe1
March 2002
On 7 March 2002, news came out from Myanmar that the government had arrested the
son-in-law, U Aye Zaw Win, and three grandsons, Aye Ne Win, Kyaw Ne Win, and Zwe
Ne Win, of U Ne Win, who ruled the country between 1962 and 1988. Many people
believed that U Ne Win (or General Ne Win) continued to yield and exercise influence
among top military commanders who formed the State Law and Order Restoration
Council (SLORC), later transformed into the State Peace and Development Council
(SPDC) in November 1997, after the military takeover in September 1988. Some analysts
interpreted the event of 7 March as an indication of 'the end of the Ne Win era'. Two days
later, on 9 March, at a special conference, Major General Kyaw Win, Vice-Chief of
Defence Services Intelligence, explained that the four were arrested in connection with a
coup attempt. Additional information on the event was given at special press conferences
on 12 and 18 March.
According to the information provided by Major General Kyaw Win, the coup
plotters had planned to win over some military commanders and to use their troops to
overpower and disarm security forces at the residences of the top three regime leaders –
Senior General Than Shwe (Chairman of the SPDC and Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar
Armed Forces), General Maung Aye (Vice Chairman of the SPDC and Deputy
Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar Armed Forces cum Commander-in-Chief of Army) and
Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt (Secretary-1 of the SPDC and Chief of Defence Services
Intelligence Bureau). Their plan had been to bring them before U Ne Win, where they are
would be coerced in his presence to 'transfer state power to enable the formation of a new
government with members who would acknowledge U Ne Win's authority'. This was in
the event that the ringleader, Aye Zaw Win, was unable to get Senior General Than Shwe
to agree to their demands for changes.2
Major General Kyaw Win explained that "they
(the plotters) did not seem to have the intention to be the government but wanted to form a
new government with military leaders who would owe allegiance to U Ne Win".3
Although Major General Kyaw Win later confirmed that Daw Khin Sandar Win, the
favorite daughter of U Ne Win, had been involved in the plot, no arrest has been ordered
yet.
Was U Ne Win involved in the coup plan? Major General Kyaw Win refused to
say whether U Ne Win was personally involved in the plot. However, given the haphazard
and unprofessional manner in which the coup was planned and executed, it is safe to
conclude that U Ne Win could not have been behind the plot.4
Having masterminded
previous military coups in Myanmar, U Ne Win could have done a much better job.
1
Dr. Aung Myoe is a Visiting Research Fellow at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Nanyang
Technological University, Singapore. He was from the University of Mandalay, Myanmar.
2
Special Press Conference (12 March 2002), New Light of Myanmar (13 March 2002)
3
Asian Wall Street Journal (13 March 2002)
4
It was reported that the plan was to appoint a regional commander to the post of Commander-in-Chief of
the Armed Forces (at the expense of eleven regional commanders and a dozen senior commanders at the
16. How will U Ne Win react to the situation? At present his favorite daughter, Daw
Khin Sandar Win, along with himself, are under house arrest. His grandsons and his son-
in-law are under arrest and will be charged with political, economic and social crimes.
Daw Khin Sandar Win could also be charged as a co-conspirator at least if not as a
ringleader. Perhaps, U Ne Win "could control, reduce and forget these sufferings through
meditation", as he explained to Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew during his private visit to
Singapore in 1997,5
and through realization of the law of impermanent nature. Being the
person who built, cherished and safeguarded the unity within the Tatmadaw (Myanmar
Armed Forces), even at the expense of sacrificing his own protégés like Brigadier General
Tin Oo (known as MI Tin Oo), U Ne Win would find it hard to believe that his own family
was involved in "causing antagonism and division within the Tatmadaw'.6
In recent years, U Ne Win's ana (authority) and awza (influence) have been
waning. His phon (glory) has been in decline and his hnaloneye (moral courage) and
letyoneye (physical courage) have long been forgotten among new batches of military
commanders. Now, it appears that his Kamma (fortune) has been down even without the
possibility of Yedaya (reversal). However, it is the kyezu (gratitude) owed to him among
the top leaders of the SLORC/SPDC that keeps him happy and protected. It appears that,
in late August and early September 1988, a few weeks before the military takeover, senior
commanders of the time reached a decision and made a commitment not to make 'the
guardians of the Tatmadaw' unhappy, among other things. Probably for that reason, the
Myanmar authorities were quite tolerant towards the social and economic crimes
committed by U Ne Win's family.
U Ne Win’s grandsons, Kyaw Ne Win and Zwe Ne Win in particular, had a bad
reputation and were known as leaders of the notorious gang, ‘Scorpions’. "They always
moved around day and night in a gang and there were many fights with other youths, by
misusing the reflected glory (Ashein-Ahwar) of their grandfather and pressuring some
members of security forces to commit physical abuse just to satisfy a personal grudge",
Major General Kyaw Win explained.7
There is also an unconfirmed report that, at one
stage, one of the grandsons even rode a motorcycle to block General Maung Aye’s
motorcade. In terms of bad business practice, Kyaw Ne Win engaged in unauthorized
sales of 1092 GSM mobile phones for 627.68 million kyats, through another company.
Although it could take action against them, since telecommunication is considered an
important facility and serious security matter in Myanmar, the government resolved the
issue by simply asking Kyaw Ne Win to reimburse the money. The three grandsons also
owned a company that was involved in the illegal import of motor vehicles. For years,
Myanmar authorities had turned a blind eye to these social and economic crimes
committed by U Ne Win's family members. But it appears that when they cross the line
and become a threat to the political stability and unity of the Tatmadaw, the government is
quite prepared to take action regardless of who they are. Major General Kyaw Win made
it clear that since "these moves (coup plots) were destined to break up unity within the
Tatmadaw and cause disintegration of the Tatmadaw, and to thwart the stability, peace and
development of the State, the authorities had taken them (plotters) into custody and were
Ministry of Defence). Moreover, an appointment with a regional commander to discuss the coup plan was
reportedly arranged at a restaurant.
5
Lee Kuan Yew, From Third World to First (Singapore: Singapore Press Holdings, 2000), p. 363.
6
Special Press Conferences (9 March 2002 & 12 March 2002)
7
Press Conference (12 March 2002)
2
17. initiating legal action as necessary".8
The authorities found 59 communication devices, 72
walkie-talkies, 6 satellite phones, 27 rubber batons, two mine detectors, and uniforms,
including badges and flashes, within the premises of the plotters.9
The reason for the coup attempt, as explained by Major General Kyaw Win, was
the loss of business opportunities resulting from the government's priority given to ethnic
organizations, and by political and economic changes made by the regime. The family
had become increasingly bitter and often complained about government policies, but it
was their bad business practices that tarnished their name and deprived them of business
opportunities. With regard to the failed coup attempt, Secretary-1 reportedly commented
(at the opening ceremony of the Course in Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
that "we are very much disturbed by an untoward incident aimed at undermining our
cherished goals and disintegration of the armed forces".10
In connection with the coup attempt, three high-ranking military officials and one
senior police official were put under investigation. The four are Commander-in-Chief (Air
Force), Major General Myint Swe (officiating lieutenant general); Commander of Coastal
Region Command, Major General Aye Kyway; Commander of Triangle Region
Command, Brigadier General Chit Than (officiating major general); and Director-General
of Myanmar Police Force, Police Major General Soe Win. Although diplomatic sources
reported that these four officials had been sacked, Major General Kyaw Win revealed that
investigations have yet to determine whether they were actually involved in the plot while
he declined to identify the military commander who had immediately reported the plot and
conspiracy on the same day he was approached by the plotter. Initially, there was also a
rumour about the sacking of the Chief of Staff (Navy), Rear Admiral Soe Thein. This
appears to be incorrect. There are also some unconfirmed reports that Brigadier General
Ohn Myint, Minister for Mine, had been dismissed, that Brigadier General Maung Maung
Swe, Commander of Northern Command, had been under investigation,11
and that senior
military commanders from Coastal Region Command area had been arrested.12
Since the
investigation is still underway, it is difficult to determine the extent of these commanders'
involvement in the alleged coup plot. It is also quite likely that a number of people will be
sacked or charged under the legal clause of 'intentionally withholding information'.13
It
was reported that over a hundred people are under interrogation.
While investigations continue, many questions remain to be answered. Did the
military commanders really plan to throw their weight behind U Ne Win just to restore the
family fortune, power and influence of an ailing statesman? Many people are doubtful
about this. Did they try to exploit the grudges of the U Ne Win family to initiate their own
8
Special Press Conference (9 March 2002)
9
Special Press Conferences (12 & 18 March 2002). It is important to note that these telecommunication
devices are usually regarded as G-control materials in Myanmar, only to be used with authorization from the
General Staff Office.
10
New Light of Myanmar (13 March 2002)
11
DVB Broadcast (1330 GMT, 13 March 2002). It also reported that some officers from Air Force were
detained in connection with the coup attempt.
12
DVB Broadcast (1430 GMT, 13 March 2002). The DVB reported that three MOC (Military Operation
Command) commanders, namely Colonel Htein Win (MOC-8), Colonel Khin Maung Yin (MOC-13),
Colonel Tin Maung Tun (MOC-20) and three TOC (Tactical Operation Command) commanders, namely
Colonel Soe Thet, Colonel Kyaw Swa and Colonel Khin Win, were arrested.
13
The problem with this clause is that one finds it difficult to assess whether the information the accused
gets is right or wrong or credible.
3
18. reform agenda, out of dissatisfaction and frustration with the present leadership? Without
the active support and participation of commanders at the Ministry of Defence or War
Office level, this seems unlikely. Many observers were surprised by the fact that
commanders allegedly involved in the plot were from far-flung areas. Indeed, most of the
regional commanders and MOC (Military Operation Command) commanders, including
those who are reportedly under arrest or investigation, are pretty new in their respective
command positions, and therefore unlikely within this short period of time to have been
able to influence and mobilize their officers and men for this dangerous move, however
well intended.
Despite this incident, the national reconciliation process in Myanmar will continue.
Some analysts saw the coup attempt as an indication of "a split within the military
government, which would have major implications for the on-going dialogue with Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi".14
However, the government spokesman gave assurance that the
dialogue would not be affected by this recent development. There are several clear
indications that the government is firmly committed to national reconciliation and political
transition in Myanmar. It appears that some form of consensus has been reached and
broad guidelines for political transition has been agreed upon particularly among the top
three leaders of the SPDC, namely Senior General Than Shwe, General Maung Aye and
Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt.
Since October 2000, the Myanmar government has engaged in secret dialogues
with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi regarding national reconciliation and possible political
transition in Myanmar. The government spokesman assured that though "the ongoing
process (of national reconciliation and dialogue) might seem to be slow to some, but it is a
steady and sure process where success is imminent".15
It appears that Major General
Kyaw Win and Colonel Than Tun form a link between the SPDC leaders and Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi. In fact, Major General Kyaw Win was reported in Asiaweek to be the
dealmaker.16
It was also reported that Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt maintains a regular
fortnightly contact with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.17
A recent report even stated that Senior
General Than Shwe met her on 22 January 2002 and that the meeting lasted for more than
a couple of hours.18
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, appointed Malaysian-
born diplomat, Mr. Razali Ismail, as his special envoy to Myanmar to ‘facilitate’ the
process. Razali made six visits to Myanmar and planned to go back again in March 2002,
but he postponed it at the request of the Myanmar government. One report attributed to
Razali after his visit in August 2001, stated that he thought it would take two to four years
for civilian rule to be restored in Myanmar.19
Indeed, with confidence, at the end of his
last visit to Yangon in November 2001, Razali issued a statement that he was "hopeful that
some significant progress could be achieved in the near future in the talks" and that he was
pleased that "all parties remained committed to the process of national reconciliation and
democracy".20
In addition, he expressed hope that he might see "a clear guide-map by
14
The Straits Time (13 March 2002)
15
The Myanmar Times, Vol. 6, No. 103 (18-24 February 2002)
16
Asiaweek (25 May 2001)
17
Bangkok Post (6 September 2001)
18
CNN News (31 January 2002)
19
The Straits Time (22 November 2001)
20
The Myanmar Times, Vol. 5, No. 93 (10-16 December 2001)
4
19. 2002".21
During his sixth visit to Yangon, Razali reportedly inquired about the progress of
the dialogue and had pressed the SPDC leadership to come up with a timetable and some
tangible result. He was told that preparations were underway. Moreover, when Senior
General Than Shwe reportedly told Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi, at the ASEAN
summit in Brunei in November 2001, that the military leadership "does not care what kind
of position Daw Aung San Suu Kyi would hold in the course of democratization", it was
interpreted that the SPDC had significantly softened its position on the political dialogue
and she might have a future in politics.22
Within the SPDC regime and government, after the death of Secretary-2,
Lieutenant General Tin Oo, in February 2001; the sacking of Secretary-3, Lieutenant
General Win Myint, and Deputy Prime Minister cum Minister of Military Affairs,
Lieutenant General Tin Hla; and the resignation of two deputy prime ministers and three
ministers; the SPDC decided not to appoint new secretaries, new deputy prime ministers
and new ministers. Instead, some ministers were assigned to concurrently hold two
ministries. While some analysts think that the sacking of the two powerful figures was to
improve the business climate, others think that it was a clean-out of hardliners unhappy
with the possibility of comprises with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in the ongoing dialogue.23
However, there was no indication that these two generals were capable of enforcing their
will on the top leadership.
Within the Tatmadaw itself, preparations are underway for leadership transition
and a smooth transfer of command. Although rumours have floated around in Yangon for
sometime, about new military positions (such as bureaus of special operations and bureau
of air defence), many people were surprised by the new positions, which allowed all
regional commanders with SPDC membership to take up the rank of lieutenant general
and positions within the Ministry of Defence in Yangon. The most important position
created so far would be the position held by Major General Thura Shwe Man. The
position is known in Myanmar as 'Tatmadaw Nhyinaing Kutkaeyehmu (Kyi, Yay, Lay)',
which can be loosely translated as either 'Joint Chief of Staff (Army, Navy, Air)' or 'Chief
Executive Officer (Army, Navy, Air)'. Since the Commanders-in-Chief of the Navy and
the Air Force both report to Major General Thura Shwe Man, the latter is commonly
referred to among the rank-and-file as 'Du-Choke-Athit (new Deputy Commander-in-Chief
of Armed Forces)' or 'Ta-Choke (Third Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces)'. General
Maung Aye is reportedly beginning to transfer some of his responsibilities to Major
General Thura Shwe Man. Some knowledgeable observers on the Myanmar military
believe that Major General Thura Shwe Man will become Commander-in-Chief of the
Myanmar Armed Forces as well as minister for Defence in the future. More importantly,
he appears to have the support and confidence of both senior and junior commanders.24
He is known for his good leadership, both in command and in staff positions. The new
command arrangement suggests that the present military leadership is planning a smooth
leadership transition within the Tatmadaw. Moreover, as it appears that the future
Commander-in Chief (Navy), Rear Admiral Soe Thein (replacing the present Commander-
21
The Star (Malaysia, 29 November 2001)
22
Asia Week (16 November 2001)
23
The Straits Times (22 November 2001)
24
For example, in early February 2002, soon after he came back from a tour in Sagaing Division, Lieutenant
General Khin Nyunt donated a computer set to the primary school in Major General Thura Shwe Man's
native village (Myawaddy Television). Moreover, Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt reportedly told senior
civil servants to look into and fulfill the needs of Major General Thura Shwe Man's native village.
5
20. in-Chief, Vice Admiral Kyi Min, who is about to retire) and Commander-in-Chief (Air
Force), Major General Myint Swe, (now reportedly being sacked) were classmates of
Major General Thura Shwe Man, the present leadership is also serious about
organizational unity within the Tatmadaw. Assigning commands to comrades from the
same intake (DSA-11) would prevent inter-service rivalry. Even though Major General
Myint Swe is being replaced by the present Chief-of-Staff (Air), Colonel Myat Hein
(DSA-17), there is no indication that the Tatmadaw will suffer from organizational
disunity.
Looking at domestic political developments, since June 2001, the government has
allowed the National League for Democracy (NLD), the party led by Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi, to reopen its branch offices in townships. Within six months, 13 branches were
reopened in the Yangon division alone. Many more branch offices will be reopened in
various parts of the country. In August 2001, the government lifted restrictions on the
movement of U Aung Shwe and U Tin Oo, two leaders of the NLD, as part of confidence-
building measures.25
Moreover, many prisoners were released from jail although many
still remain inside.
Behind-the-scene persuasion (or pressure) also plays an important role in the
national reconciliation process in Myanmar. In this respect, one should examine the
importance of the China factor. During his four-day visit to Myanmar, which was in
December 2001, at the invitation of Senior General Than Shwe, Chinese President Jiang
Zemin supposedly gave friendly and timely advice to Myanmar leaders that Myanmar
should implement a political system suitable for the country. His advice included the need
for the Myanmar government to fulfill its promise of implementing a multi-party
democratic system.
In recent years, it appears that the PRC (People's Republic of China) has begun to
see Myanmar more as a liability than asset. To some observers, Myanmar's over-reliance
on the PRC for political and economic (developmental) support would have led the
Chinese leadership to view Myanmar as a dependent ally. On the other hand, the
Myanmar leadership would also probably feel that they are being neglected. Although the
early 1990s witnessed high-level state visits from the PRC, such as those by General
Secretary of the State Council Luo Gan in January 1991, Foreign Minister Qian Qichen in
February 1993 and Premier Li Peng in December 1994, the later half of the 1990s,
especially after 1997, failed to cultivate a closer relationship. While Premier Zhu Rongji
made trips to most of South and Southeast Asian countries, he did not pay a visit to
Myanmar. Only when the Myanmar government began to develop warmer relations with
India, that the PRC began to give more serious attention to Myanmar, sending Vice-
President Hu Jintao in July and then President Jiang Zemin in December 2001. However,
there also seems to be some concerns among the PRC leadership, in connection with it
association with Myanmar. As the PRC leadership is fully aware of the fact that further
tightening of sanctions by the West, especially by the US, on Myanmar would be against
the interest of the PRC, it began to persuade and to press the Myanmar government to
move on with political reform and transition.
It also appears that the Myanmar government also takes friendly advice from
Malaysian statesman Mahathir Mohamad seriously. Observers in Myanmar believe that
25
The Myanmar Times (Vol. 2, No. 24, 31 August – 6 September 2001)
6
21. the sacking of two top generals in late 2001 was closely related to complaints made by the
Malaysian Prime Minister to his counterpart during the latter's visit to Malaysia in
September. Prime Minister Mahathir reportedly told Senior General Than Shwe to clean
up the economic house of Myanmar and to create a better business climate for investment.
Some analysts also believed that the Malaysian Prime Minister appeared to have given
friendly advice to Senior General Than Shwe on the need to go ahead with promised
political transition and democratization. ASEAN as a whole has also played an important
part in this process of national reconciliation. It appears that ASEAN’s steadfast support
of Myanmar in the face of western criticism and sanctions have eventually made the
Myanmar leaders feel ah-nar-hmu (guilty). It seems that the Myanmar government no
longer wants itself to be a continuing embarrassment to ASEAN, of which it is a member
since 1997. It is most likely that, in a way of showing its appreciation to ASEAN, the
Myanmar leadership is committed to national reconciliation process and political
transition in Myanmar.
There are some reports that Myanmar is heading towards economic and social
disaster. Skyrocketing prices of consumer products, the scarcity of some essentials, such
as cooking oil,26
and the chronic shortage of foreign exchange reserve in Myanmar lead
some analysts to predict that major social unrest is on the way. However, there are others
who argue that if the regime does not care for economic development, it can go back to its
autarkic economic policy and remain in power through an effective use of instrument of
violence and suppression, since Myanmar is still self-sufficient in staple food. But they
believe that it will not be the course of action the present regime will take and that "their
love of the nation" would prevent them from going backward and leaving "the nation at
the beck and call of others".27
In this context, the Myanmar government will continue to
engage in dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and to proceed with national
reconciliation and political transition.
There are also some other factors that are conducive to the process of national
reconciliation in Myanmar. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi appears to understand the rules of the
game and try to play by the rules. She complies with the regime's request for secrecy. She
does not reveal any information and the content of the meetings to anyone. Although she
receives a number of foreign delegations and special representatives, she keeps a tight lip
on her dialogues with the regime. She has managed to convince the SPDC regime that she
is acting on her own and is not receiving instructions from foreign powers. In the past, the
regime used to see her close association with diplomats and delegations from the western
countries as evidence of her being a tool of the west. Moreover, in recent years, major
western governments, including the European Union (EU), had softened their criticisms of
the Myanmar government considerably. In fact, there is less pressure and no more
lectures from the west, which were usually seen by the Myanmar government as foreign
interference in its internal affairs. This sets a favourable condition for the regime leaders
to proceed with the national reconciliation process. This is a welcomed change.
Previously, western pressure usually elicited negative reactions from the Myanmar
leadership that suffered from a strong siege mentality. Japan also welcomed the progress
of the national reconciliation process in Myanmar and rewarded the government by
resuming developmental assistance. This will further serve to encourage the Myanmar
government to speed up the process.
26
In major cities, there are long queues for state-subsidized cooking oil and other essential products such as
soap bars.
27
Senior General Than Shwe's address at the USDA Special Meeting on 19 February 2002.
7
22. Thus, in conclusion, the recent failed coup attempt would not affect the ongoing
dialogue, national reconciliation and political transition in Myanmar. Moreover, the failed
coup attempt would also facilitate the process since the regime no longer needs to take the
welfare and security of the U Ne Win family into consideration. Once again, the military
leadership sent a clear signal that any attempt to bring antagonism and disintegration
within the armed forces will not be tolerated and it will take all necessary measures to
ensure that the Tatmadaw remain united.
8
23. 3/28/2017 Former Myanmar Dictator’s Family Plans Takeover of Tay Za’s Bank
https://www.irrawaddy.com/business/newinscionsplantakeovertayzasbank.html 1/4
Business
Ne Win Scions Plan Takeover
of Tay Za’s Bank
By KYAW HSU MON, POLITICAL PRISONERS 22 July 2014
RANGOON — One of the grandsons of Burma’s late dictator Gen. Ne Win claims his
family’s firm, which is being backed by a Chinese state-owned company, has agreed to
buy a majority stake in Tay Za’s Asia Green Development (AGD) Bank.
Grandson Aye Ne Win provided details to The Irrawaddy of the bid, which would likely
see Tay Za—the prominent tycoon and head of Htoo Group who is still under US
Treasury Department sanctions—divest himself of his share in the bank he founded in
2010.
One of the grandsons of Burma’s late dictator says the family’s company is buying the majority of AGD Bank.
24. 3/28/2017 Former Myanmar Dictator’s Family Plans Takeover of Tay Za’s Bank
https://www.irrawaddy.com/business/newinscionsplantakeovertayzasbank.html 2/4
A director at the bank, however, said that only that a minor change of share ownership
was taking place at AGD Bank this week, with one of Ne Win’s grandsons set to take a
stake of 1.5 percent in the bank.
Aye Ne Win said that Tay Za had on Monday agreed to sell 60 percent of the bank to
the family’s company, Omni. The company would later take an 85 percent stake in the
bank, according to Aye Ne Win.
Ne Win stepped down from the leadership of Burma’s single political party in 1988 and,
after falling foul of the junta that replaced him, died in house arrest in 2002. Kyaw Ne
Win and Aye Ne Win were only released from Rangoon’s Insein prison last year after
they were convicted in 2002 of high treason for an apparent plot to overthrow the then
military regime.
The family is known to own a number of luxurious properties in Rangoon, and through
Omni is planning to invest in the power, transport and serviced apartment sectors in
Burma.
“When we were released from prison, we were deeply touched by the trust and
support exhibited to us by our friends in the international business community who
intended to invest in this country,” Aye Ne Win wrote in an emailed response to
questions from The Irrawaddy.
Part of this good will, he said, was the opportunity to invest US$4.9 billion from the
China National Corporation for Overseas Economic Cooperation (CCOEC) in various
sectors in Burma. According to CCOEC’s website, it is part of China General
Technology Group (Genertec), a Chinese government-owned conglomerate.
“After careful evaluation, it was brought to our knowledge that the said amount is
legitimate and clean,” Aye Ne Win said of the Chinese money, also rejecting any
suggestion that his family’s wealth derived from ill-gotten gains.
“In this day and age of WikiLeaks, it is highly unlikely that any fortune that is
accumulated as result of some wrongdoing will go unnoticed.”
He said AGD Bank was chosen partly due to the family’s close relationship with Tay Za,
whose father, Col. Myint Swe, was a trusted officer under Ne Win in the 4th Burma
Rifles.
25. 3/28/2017 Former Myanmar Dictator’s Family Plans Takeover of Tay Za’s Bank
https://www.irrawaddy.com/business/newinscionsplantakeovertayzasbank.html 3/4
“Highly reputable and prestigious though some other banking institutions in this nation
undoubtedly are, we chose to establish a strategy alliance with U Tay Za and AGD Bank
because we have personal connections between our families and the bank in question
can provide us with an assurance of a promising future,” he wrote.
Aye Ne Win said the future owners of AGD Bank had not yet decided if they would go
ahead with a previous plan for the bank to be listed on Burma’s new stock exchange in
2015.
Despite the confidence of the dictator’s grandson, news of the grand takeover plan had
apparently not filtered down to everyone on AGD Bank’s board.
Soe Thein, executive director of the bank’s share department, said that while a transfer
of shares was going on this week, only 15 percent of the total 601,746 shares were
changing hands.
And only 9,000 shares—or a 1.5 percent stake in the bank—were being transferred to
Kyaw Ne Win at a value of 60,000 kyat ($61.72) per share, he said. The stake would be
worth more than $555,000.
“Among the 15 percent of shares [being transferred], U Kyaw Ne Win is not the major
shareholder. U Yin Htwe from Mikko Group purchased 10 percent of them. After we
transfer this percentage, there will be 19 major shareholders on the board of directors
list,” he said, declining to say whether Tay Za was selling his stake in the bank.
“I don’t know about the further discussion between shareholders U Tay Za and U Kyaw
Ne Win. They might have had further discussions. That might be why they said this,” he
said.
Asked about the apparent lack of information on the deal within the bank itself, Aye Ne
Win said, “First of all, there is no this side and that side anymore. Everyone is together.
“Having said that AGD is a large institution [and] not everyone in the chain of command
is aware of the developments. Today [Tuesday], they will make an official statement to
clarify everything. It’s better if the bank does the explanations. For us, we reconfirm
what we stated before.”
Kyaw Hsu Mon
31. 3/28/2017 Birthday party at Secretariat sparks social media firestorm
http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/nationalnews/13700birthdaypartyatsecretariatsparkssocialmediafirestorm.html 1/3
Like 1K 1 Tweet Share 6
Birthday party at Secretariat sparks
social media firestorm
By Noe Noe Aung | Tuesday, 24 March 2015
A private birthday bash held in the grounds of Yangon’s famed but
ruined Secretariat has kicked up a social media firestorm after U
Aye Ne Win, grandson of the former military dictator, posted
pictures on Facebook describing “a strong scent of nostalgia” at
the party.
U Aye Ne Win (second left) poses with other guests at the Secretariat on March 21. Photo:
Facebook
Calling his post “A Casual Dinner at One of the Most Official Venues in Town”,
U Aye Ne Win wrote on March 22 that it was “such an excellent idea that Ma
Thi Thi Tun should host her birthday party on the grounds of this celebrated
Victorian structure”.
He said this was “not only because is it the largest courtyard in downtown but
also because many guests have fond memories of visiting their fathers and
grandfathers when they occupied offices in some of the rooms in this layers of
labyrinth”.
The birthday host is reportedly the daughter of former general U Tun Kyi, a
minister for commerce in the late 1990s who was sacked for alleged corruption.
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148. ငတနာတန္မာာမဖမေ ကမနေဆမန္ာေ ာႏုမန္ာေေနမမန္တမာတကမန္္မာေက္န္ာမ
ေက္န္ာမတ ာႏုေတာာ္ခနေ ာခ့နေတြာ ့ေခမမန္တတမ္ခ့နာခာတန နန္ာာလခ္ေတက္ေခ္
ာလခ္ေတက္ေခ္ခမန ာႏုခဖနျ
In English see following video link
https://www.facebook.com/ayenewin1976/me
dia_set?set=a.188379894842869.1073741833.
100010125793104&type=3