Junta Secretary 1 in Singapore for Health Reasons
By WAI
MOE
Wednesday,
April 28, 2010
The Burmese junta’s Secretary-1, Gen Tin Aung Myint Oo, who has
been absent at state ceremonies in April, is reportedly
hospitalized in Singapore.
Diplomats in Rangoon said Tin Aung Myint Oo, 60, the No. 4
ranking general and quartermaster-general of the Tatmadaw (Burmese
armed forces), has been in the city state since mid-April for heath
reasons.
Government sources in Naypyidaw said Tin Aung Myint Oo had
previously experienced heart problems. Like other health trips made
by Burma's secretive generals, however, the state media has made no
mention of Tin Aung Myint Oo’s health.
Gen Tin Aung Myint Oo (second from left) looks over his
shoulder during a military parade marking the country's 65th Armed
Forces Day in Naypyidaw on March 27 (Photo: Getty Images)
Burmese political observers have been commenting on Tin Aung
Myint Oo health since noting he has been absent from state
ceremonies during April and did not accompany junta head Snr-Gen
Than Shwe on various trips across the country. He was absent from
state religious ceremonies in Naypyidaw on Monday and Tuesday.
Tin Aung Myint Oo's last public appearance was on April 9 at
Naypyidaw Airport when Than Shwe and top generals welcomed Burmese
Prime Minister Thein Sein, who returned from the summit of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Hanoi.
In March 2009, Tin Aung Myint Oo was promoted to a four star
general by Than Shwe in what observers believe was a tactic by Than
Shwe to create a rival faction in the army to balance junta No. 3
Gen Shwe Mann, who is joint chief of staff and coordinator of
Special Operations (Army, Navy , Air Force ) and chairman of the
military’s Myanmar Economic Corporation.
Singapore has been the hospital treatment center of choice for
ruling Burmese generals for two decades. The late dictator Gen Ne
Win and the late prime minister Gen Soe Win are among the Burmese
generals who have received treatment at expensive hospitals in
Singapore.
In January 2009, Than Shwe spent two weeks in Singapore. Soe Win
flew there twice in his battle against leukemia, staying there from
March to October in 2007.
Meanwhile, ministers and deputy ministers who recently retired
from military posts reportedly held farewell parties with their
staff in Naypyidaw as they drew up plans for participation in the
forthcoming election.
http://www.irrawaddy.org/index.php
The IRRAWADDY Covering Burma and
Southeast Asia