For some time there has been talk concerning when Gen. Than Shwe would step down or be replaced. His plans were to retire from the military and take on a permanent leadership role - his idea of a presidency. But reports have also come out that he is weak, physically and politically, and that it was only a matter of time before the second in command, General Maung Aye, would take over. It is possible that is taking place now. (see Feb. 3 post on internal power struggle)
A SPLIT within Burma's ruling junta has emerged, with second-in-command General Maung Aye angered at the violent crackdown ordered by leading General Than Shwe and holding talks with imprisoned pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, it has been reported.
The Irrawaddy (website was down for some time after being hit with a conveniently timed virus) is reporting "Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved to Yemon military camp on the outskirts of Rangoon". Other reports are that she is being held at the notorious Insein prison.
"Maung Aye and his loyalists are opposed to shooting into the crowd," a source close to the military hierarchy told Mizzima referring to the major differences that the head of junta Senior General Than Shwe and his second-in-command, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye have over the brutal crack down on protesters in Burma.
An email from the research director of the Human Rights Documentation Unit of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma stated that,
Soldiers from LID #66 have turned their weapons against other SPDC soldiers and possibly police in North Okkalappa township in Rangoon and are defending the protesters. At present unsure how many soldiers involved. Some reports cite "heavy shooting" in the area.Other unconfirmed reports have stated that soldiers from LID #33 in Mandalay have refused orders to act against protesters. Some reports claim that many soldiers remained in their barracks. More recent reports now maintain that soldiers from LID #99 now being sent there to confront them.
Ibrahim Gambari, U.N. envoy for Burma, has again been sent to hold discussions in the military in the new isolated capital, Naypyidaw. This is the ideal time to demand to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to confirm that she is allright but that is more than likely not going to happen at this point.
The U.N. has been split over how to respond to the situation in Myanmar. A released statement "made no mention of the violence" occurring there.
The U.S. has given an equally unmotivated and dodgy statement on the violence in Burma,
suggest[ing] the goal should be the generals' departure from power, perhaps to exile in China, opening the way for a democratic government. But the National Council of the Union of Burma, a main exile umbrella group based in Thailand, said its goal at this stage was less ambitious: national dialogue between the military junta and other political forces in the country.
Of course, the U.S. is well aware the most realistic outcome in Burma today is a rotation in military command. Innocent people are losing their lives asking for "what 50 million people of Burma want today, not tomorrow".
