Intelligence: Power struggle within SPDC

Burmese military regime announced the cabinet reshuffle list today and this is a result of cabinet meeting in Naypyidaw in past two weeks ago.

However, two close men of Than Shwe won the point man positions to deal with the international aid agencies and UN, while Navy commander in chief was purged.

Sources close to SPDC said that Navy commander Soe Thein became a scapegoat between senior general Than Shwe’s and General Maung Aye’s differences. After senior general was pleased that Hyine Gyi Island naval base vessels were able to escape from Cyclone Nargis after navy commander in chief ordered to sail out all costal and sea going ships to Zadadgyi naval base which is far south of Burma and outside of cyclone path. On the other hand, General Maung Aye blamed that navy commander in chief could have informed the military council and people should be informed to prepare for the cyclone Nargis.

Normally, navy chief position is transferred as a deputy prime minister post if they are almost age of sixty five, but this time he was appointed as minister of heavy industry means he was punished.

One of the different sources said that he had provided very warm reception towards US navy and air force personnel at the Rangoon international airport. But source also said that without senior general’s instruction; he wasn’t able to do so. His warm reception created unhappy for General Maung Aye apparently.

General Maung Aye, second man of SPDC busted as a devil role and opposed Cyclone relief operations, angrily criticized failure of light infantry (66)’s mobility to delta area that took a few weeks, and navy vessels posting at off shore of Irrawaddy delta to watch the movement of US, French and UK navy groups.

One source stressed that General Maung Aye had no intention to challenge Than Shwe but he was eager to get a recognition from other generals that he is a second in command. But other said both decided to disengage a normal conversation after office hour is very noticeable, sources said.

Posted by BURMA DEMOCRACY & DEVELOPMENT at 6/20/2008 06:00:00 PM