NEWS - Myanmar General Shrugs at '

[Rangoonp@xxxxxxx]

Subject: NEWS -  Myanmar General Shrugs at ''Prince of Darkness'' Tag

----------------NOTE: The General's propaganda is laffable.

 Myanmar General Shrugs at ''Prince of Darkness'' Tag

               Reuters
               07-MAY-99

               BANGKOK, May 7 (Reuters) - Myanmar's powerful
               military intelligence chief has shrugged off the
               nickname "Prince of Darkness," saying he is just a
               loyal servant of the state. 

               Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt, considered the
               most powerful figure in Myanmar's military
               government, was asked by an interviewer to
               comment on the media tag. 

               "I read an article or two that carried the term you
               mentioned," he said. "I leave it to you to answer the
               question. Personally I would like to think of myself
               as a servant of the people who is trying to do the
               best for the country." 

               Khin Nyunt's remarks were contained in the text of
               an interview sent by the Yangon government to
               news organisations on Friday. He rarely talks to
               journalists. 

               The head of the Directorate of Defence Services
               Intelligence is identified by Myanmar dissidents as
               the power behind tough government suppression of
               political opposition. 

               Khin Nyunt rejected allegations that the government
               had forced mass resignations from the opposition
               National League for Democracy over the past year
               and blamed its leader, Nobel Peace laureate Aung
               San Suu Kyi, for being "confrontational." 

               "They keep saying they want a dialogue with the
               government, they are actually not sincere...and are
               trying to put obstacles in the path to discussions,"
               he said. 

               Khin Nyunt also brushed aside criticism of closure
               of the country's universities for much of the past
               decade because of student unrest. 

               "The closing of the universities is only temporary
               and we are trying to reopen them in the near future,"
               he said. 

               Khin Nyunt said the ruling State Peace and
               Development Council remained united and rejected
               suggestions of splits. 

               "This is a myth and a misinformation first spread by
               expatriate dissident groups and then picked up by
               the media with the malicious aim of causing splits or
               at least giving the impression of splits within the
               SPDC," he said. 

               He insisted that Ne Win, the octogenarian architect
               of authoritarianism who ruled from 1962 until 1988,
               was retired and dismissed suggestions he still
               influenced decision-making. 

               "He has retired completely from politics and is now
               engaged in religious devotion only. Since he is no
               longer engaged in political matters, the question of
               his influence in this sphere no longer arises," he
               said. 

               Khin Nyunt also rejected as "misinformation from
               insurgent sources" reports of forced military
               conscription and defended relocation of villagers to
               make way for construction projects. 

               Relocations were unavoidable with infrastructure
               projects like dams but villagers were consulted in
               advance, informed of the benefits, and steps were
               taken to minimise disruption. 

               "Therefore there are no genuine complaints from
               villagers who relise it is they themselves and their
               communities who will benefit in the long run," he
               said. 

----------------NOTE: The General's propaganda is laffable.