Burmese Army Stands Behind President

By YAN PAING / THE IRRAWADDY Friday, January 27, 2012

Burmese military parade during the 65th Anniversary of Armed Forces Day in Naypyidaw. (Photo: AP)

Burmese President Thein Sein’s recent political reform efforts have garnered continuous support within the army, according to military sources.

Many army officers and other rank-and-file soldiers are reportedly in favor of Thein Sein’s administration regarding its meeting with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, peace talks with different ethnic armed groups and the release of a large number of political prisoners.

Many believe that the actions of the new president—who used to follow the direct orders of previous junta chief Snr-Gen Than Shwe—have been improving the image of the army, according to a high-ranking official in Naypyidaw Military Command.

Relations are fine between Thein Sein and Gen Min Aung Hlaing, the commander-in-chief of armed forces, despite a slight rift previously developing between the pair, the official told The Irrawaddy.

“They have good relations. Sometimes the president tried to stop the commander-in-chief when he thought the latter wanted to do anything that came into his mind, that’s all,” said the official.

During his goodwill visit to Thailand earlier this month, Min Aung Hlaing said the Burmese armed forces have no desire to turn backwards while the country is marching towards a democratic future.

In her recent interview with the Washington Post, Suu Kyi emphasized that the army has much more power than necessary.

“Our present constitution gives the military far too much power,” said the Nobel Laureate. “Although the president is the head of state, he is not necessarily the highest power in the land. The commander-in-chief can take over all powers of government at any time he feels it to be necessary.

“I don’t know how much support [Thein Sein] has within the army. He himself is an army man, so I assume there must be considerable support for him in military circles. But that is just an assumption.”

The army under Min Aung Hlaing’s command, however, ignored the president’s order to stop its current offensive against the Kachin Independence Army in northern Kachin State. Critics believe that hardliners in both the military and government have resisted some of the Thein Sein's reforms.

Another senior officer based in an infantry unit in Shan State, who asked to remain anonymous, told The Irrawaddy that the commander-in-chief has been consolidating power by transferring or dismissing high-ranking personnel who were previously appointed by Than Shwe and his deputy Vice-Snr-Gen Maung Aye.

“He asked many colonels in army regional commands such as in Lashio, Shan and Arakan states either to move somewhere else or resign if they don’t want the transfer, so many have chosen the second option,” said the senior officer.

He added that Min Aung Hlaing recently transferred some senior officers, who were earmarked for regional and divisional commander posts before Than Shwe retired, to unimportant positions within the army.

Thein Sein was a graduate of the Defense Services Academy (DSA) Intake 9 and served as Colonel General Staff at the office of the commander-in-chief. He later became the head of the Military Operation Command No. 4 based in Rangoon. In 1997, he served as the commander of Triangle Region Command. He also took the position of the Adjust General within the army.

Gen Min Aung Hlaing was much junior in military rank compared to the president and graduated from DSA Intake 19. In 2001, he served as the commander of Division 44 based in Mon State. He later became the headmaster of Pyin Oo Lwin Military University.

Min Aung Hlaing also took other positions such as head of the Western Command, Triangle Region Command, Bureau of Special Operations and Coordinator of Special Operations (Army, Navy and Airforce).