Political tensions in Myanmar, says Thai Prime Minister
January 28, Agence France Presse

Bangkok: Political "tension" has risen in military-ruled Myanmar after the death of an aide to a senior general, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Friday.

Thaksin did not give details on the developments and discounted suggestions a coup had been hatched, but said Thailand was watching the situation closely.

"It is not clear yet as Myanmar is a closed society, but I admit that there has been some form of tension in Myanmar," he told reporters.

"I don't think it is a coup but there are tensions and preparations to do something," he said.

Myanmar's political upheaval is often publicised first by neighbouring Thailand, which claims close ties with the secretive state.

Thaksin's remark came one week after the death of Lieutenant Colonel Bo Win Tun, the personal assistant to Myanmar number two Deputy Senior General Maung Aye.

Bo Win Tun's obituary ran in state media Sunday and he was buried with full military honours, but it was unclear how he died.

Rumours have swirled in the capital that he may have been assassinated, killed himself or died protecting Maung Aye, sparking talk of a power struggle resurfacing in Yangon.

The city was also awash in speculation that Bo Win Tun's death hinted at a more serious crisis which may have seen Maung Aye killed in a bizarre gunbattle within the junta's inner circle.

Diplomats struggling to grasp the latest from Yangon also noted the recent disappearance from public view of newly installed Prime Minister General Soe Win, which has led to reports he may have been placed under house arrest or fled the city.

"What mostly preoccupies me is the absence of the prime minister in the official press. Usually this is a sign that something is brewing," a Western diplomat in Yangon told AFP.

The security presence on Yangon streets was higher than normal but had nothing to do with Bo Win Tun's death or the rumours, a source close to the military said.

"It is because the government is always alert for people who might try to disrupt the national convention," the source said, referring to a gathering aimed at helping draft a new constitution which reconvenes next month.

Bo Win Tun's death and subsequent rumours coincided with a meeting of army regional commanders in Yangon attended by top brass including junta leader Senior General Than Shwe, sources close to the military said.

The Irrawaddy, a magazine published by Myanmar journalists in exile in Thailand, said on its website that analysts "believe a major military reshuffle is looming."

Myanmar is also currently holding special tribunals for 300 people, including 26 high-ranking officers from military intelligence services that were disbanded late last year after Prime Minister Khin Nyunt, who headed the unit, was sacked.

Khin Nyunt -- who favored limited dialogue with detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi -- was replaced by junta hardliner Soe Win. 
 

Myanmar denies coup rumors but hints at Cabinet shuffle
January 28, Associated Press

Phuket: Myanmar denied Friday that a coup d'etat had taken place in the military-ruled country, but hinted at possible changes in the Cabinet.

"No, no, no," Myanmar Foreign Minister U. Nyan Win said, responding to questions about rumors of a leadership change that have swept the country's capital, Yangon, in recent days.

"It's all just rumors," he said with a laugh. "Everything there is fine."

Thaung Tun, director general of the foreign ministry's political department, also said the situation was stable.

"In every country there are changes in the Cabinet," Thaung Tun said without elaborating. "We do things in a measured way. Everything is normal."

The two officials were in Thailand to attend a conference on a proposed Indian Ocean tsunami warning system.

Earlier, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said political tension had erupted among leaders in neighboring Myanmar, but that no coup had taken place.

"I was informed that there is political tension in Myanmar," said Thaksin, who added that the information was confusing and still being checked.

"There is tension and conflict but not at the level of a coup d'etat."

Myanmar's former prime minister, Gen. Khin Nyunt, was ousted last October and replaced by Lt. Gen. Soe Win.

The rumors of political tensions were fueled by the disappearance of reports in state media about the activities of Soe Win.