Former military intelligence chief apologizes over online sound file
Published on Saturday, 30 November 2013 12:56
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Khin Nyunt, former military intelligence chief, speaks during the book promotion ceremony at Karaweik Hotel, Yangon on November 28.
Khin Nyunt, former chief of military intelligence in Myanmar, has apologized to the public over some controversial statement that was recorded in old sound file which recently spread over the Internet.
The sound file is a record of his lecture during the management course 3/93 for military training officers in 1993. The words he used were harsh and rude, but they were not intentional to harm those particular people. Instead, he just explained the state policies on behalf of the government, and so he requested apology from those hurt, said Khin Nyunt on November 28.
The former intelligence chief— who also served as the 9th Prime Minister of Myanmar— spoke at Karaweik Hotel, Yangon during the promotion ceremony of a book which is a compilation of his interviews with Snap Shot Journal's Editor-in-chief Myat Khine.
In the sound file, Khin Nyunt told the officers that the military had to be strong in the face of politiial and military assault from the Communist Party of Burma and the 1988 unrest in which people were killed and beheaded.
"Therefore, the military had to intervene and control the situation," said Khin Nyunt in the file.
He said, in the file, that it was not "believable" that the National League for Democracy (NLD) won the majority votes and described the manner in which the civilians asked to rule as "dirty".
"That demand could not be granted. Both 1947 Constitution and 1974 Constitution could not be applied either. The 1947 Constitution allowed regions to separate after 10 years. so, the country would fall apart and so it needed to draw a new constitution," he went on.
He also said that some leaders in NLD were ex-military officers who committed "wrong things" in the past. He referred to Aung San Suu Kyi as "the woman" who visited Myanmar just once a year. "When her mother was ill, the former ministers had to call her back. The time Aung San Suu Kyi arrived in Myanmar coincided with the unrests in the country and communists like Thakhin Tin Mya advised her to engage in it. Then, the ministers of Burma Socialist Programme Party dissuaded her not to involve in politics with goodwill. However, Aung San Suu Kyi defied the military and encouraged the rebels, and so she was arrested with 10(B). She could not be accepted as the leader of the country," he added.
In the book he promoted yesterday, Khin Nyunt said, "If I said so, it is I was told to say so." He did not mention who told him to do so and how. He said that contents of the book are based on true stories, and the book will have historical value. He added that he had to frankly answer the questions in the book as it is related with history and he apologized if it damaged the others' personal life.
Khin Nyunt also said that any government including his military junta cannot rule in the sole interests of one person. The things the military junta did when they were in power were mixed with good and bad. Nevertheless, we all did it together; all the government officials contributed suggestions in doing those things, he said.
The things the new government is doing are also the effort of the government as a whole. There can be weaknesses. Constructive criticisms should be welcome. He requested also to forgive when there are hampering attacks. He said this is a good time for Myanmar and if all the people strive together, he believes the country will succeed.
Khin Nyunt also denied that he plans to enter politics again as allegedly stated by some media.
Former General Khin Nyunt was a deputy military chief when the military took over state duties in 1988. Khin Nyunt, who used to hold press conferences frequently, took charge of the work plans of the State Law and Order Restoration Council as Secretary-1. Since then, the country's famous universities such as Yangon University and Mandalay University had been closed and new ones were established in areas far from urban areas.
While Khin Nyunt was serving as the military intelligence chief, the number of deaths of prisoners and the number of political prisoners increased. Aung San Suu Kyi was also put under house arrest for many years. In 2013, an attempted murder was committed against Suu Kyi in Dabayin Township, Sagaing Region, but authorities have so far failed to expose the culprit.
Since 2000, the military intelligence had risen to power causing panic even in the military. But in 2004, military intelligence forces as well as Khin Nyunt and his family members were arrested. He was released in 2012 but 21 MI members reportedly remain in prison.
In response to Khin Nyunt's remarks, Myint Aung, a member of the Former Political Prisoners Group said:
"Apology is not enough. Reviewing what he has done, all his moves were for his power, position and wealth. The people were brutally oppressed for their democracy struggles. Thousands of families were affected by his power hunger. The political prisoners cannot accept (his apology). I am not saying on a basis of hatred. But that must be recorded in history.
The book introduction ceremony was also attended by many former MI members, some military generals and Aye Nay Win, a grandson of late dictator Ne Win.
Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/11/30/former-military-intelligence-chief-apologizes-over-online-sound-file/
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