Burma Prime Minster Sacked

The Kachin Post

October 19, 2004 — Burma’s Prime Minster Gen Khin Nyunt and deputy chief of Military Intelligence Service, MIS, Brig-Gen Kyaw Win were sacked yesterday by Burma Army, according to the sources in China-Burma border.

The operation was led by Burma Army Yangon Command Commander Maj-Gen Myit Swe with the order from Sen-Gen Than Shwe, chairman of the State Peace & Development Council. Sources believe that Maj-Gen Myit Swe is likely to be replaced as Prime Minister.

However, there has been unclear that Gen Khin Nyut was fired from Prime Minister or chief of Military Intelligence Service.

The intelligence quarters in Rangoon was also raided by regular troops loyal to Sen-Gen Than Shwe, seizing over a hundred staffs and officers of Military Intelligence Service.

Today, Burma Army headquarter in Rangoon has summoned Zahkung Ting Ying, leader of a ceasefire group New Democratic Army-Kachin, NDA-K. Ting Ying has a good relation with Gen Khin Nyunt since NDA-K entered ceasefire agreement with Military government in 1989. Other ceasefire groups are also preparing for the respond from Burma Army.

Over 17 ethnic arms groups signed ceasefire agreement with the Burmese military government under the initiative of Khin Nyunt.

Burma experts abroad believe that Senior-Gen Than Shwe has taken preemptive counter coup before he leaves for India on October 24. Brigadier Aung Khin, head of shadow spymaster of the counterintelligence network set up by Than Shwe, is likely to head the revamped Military Intelligence Service.