ARTICLE
Retreat to the Jungle
| By Aung Zaw | DECEMBER, 2005 - VOLUME 13 NO.12 |
(Page 2 of 3)
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The junta immediately built bridges and an overpass in central Rangoon—structures seen as a government strategy to allow troops to deploy more effectively and quell angry crowds and demonstrators. The lessons of being locked-in by a restive populace had been learned.
Rangoon has never been a safe place for the paranoid generals. In 1989, when opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi mobilized people in the streets again, the regime declared Rangoon a war zone and assigned army officers and soldiers to deal with demonstrators.
In light of these events, the Pyinmana project is clearly a key part of the generals’ vision for the future. As the constitution-drafting National Convention winds down next year, the generals plan a “separation of power” among the armed forces.
Under the plan, a group of army leaders is expected to keep control of the armed forces, while the former generals become leaders of a new civilian government.
Whatever results from the National Convention, the junta has made it clear it wants the armed forces to maintain a substantial role in politics, essentially perpetuating military rule.
Moreover, with the command center’s shift from Rangoon to central Burma—within easy reach of Shan, Kayah, Chin and Karen states—the military government will have more control over problematic ethnic regions. The generals will be able to improve communication with front-line troops and stamp their authority on ceasefire groups.
As ceasefire agreements with several ethnic groups are in a fragile state, the generals in the War Office might have thought they would be in a better position in Pyinmana to take swift and firm action than in Rangoon.
The army leaders are not expected to abandon Rangoon altogether, however. Observers predict that Rangoon and Mandalay will remain the country’s prime commercial centers.
Apart from the military and strategic considerations in moving to Pyinmana, another important factor is thought to have played a role in the decision—astrology.
It is no secret that the superstitious generals—and particularly their boss, Snr-Gen Than Shwe—seek advice from astrologers. Reports have surfaced in the capital that astrologers say Rangoon—whose English meaning is “end of strife”—is doomed and will see bloodshed. Than Shwe is certain to have made the bizarre decision to move the power center to Pyinmana.
People in Rangoon ridiculed the decision and drew attention to an apt Burmese proverb: a tiger changes his habitat only to meet his death.
| Who’s Financing the Project?
By Aung Zaw
The financing of the hugely expensive move to Pyinmana remains as secret as every other aspect of the project. Companies friendly to the junta—such as Asia World, Htoo Trading Company, Eden Groups and Ayer Shwe Wah—are profiting massively from the move, however.
Asia World, run by former drug lord Lo Hsing Han, is believed to be in charge of more than 70 percent of the Pyinmana project—including contracts to build mansions for the top brass. Eden Groups is involved in the construction of houses for junior officers.
Businessmen who have been to the site said that army engineers have also been enlisted to build military mansions and offices.
Business sources in Rangoon say the Htoo Trading Company has signed a US $12 million contract with the regime—although it is unlikely that HTC will ever see any actual money, the cash-strapped government preferring to settle its bills by awarding new concessions or contracts. When the projects got under way several years ago, companies were assured they would be paid, but business sources say they are still waiting for the regime to pony up.
HTC is run by the young tycoon Tay Za, who is believed to have strong connections with powerful generals, including Snr-Gen Than Shwe.
Ayer Shwe Wah was established by Aung Thet Mann, son of Shwe Mann, a defense ministry strongman. Business rivals accuse Aung Thet Mann of winning contracts for construction works in the project to move the War Office to Pyinmana because of his access to government supplies of cheap cement, enabling him to submit the lowest tenders.
Dissidents in exile speculate that China and Russia are involved in installing military hardware and listening posts.
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