Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03RANGOON304
2003-03-06 09:07:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rangoon
Cable title:  

BURMESE STRONGMAN ILL WITH CANCER

Tags:  PGOV PINS BM 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000304 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV
USPACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2013
TAGS: PGOV PINS BM
SUBJECT: BURMESE STRONGMAN ILL WITH CANCER

Classified By: COM CARMEN MARTINEZ FOR REASONS 1.5 (B,D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000304

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV
USPACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2013
TAGS: PGOV PINS BM
SUBJECT: BURMESE STRONGMAN ILL WITH CANCER

Classified By: COM CARMEN MARTINEZ FOR REASONS 1.5 (B,D)


1. (C) A reliable source with very close personal ties to top
military medical officers corroborated recent DAO Rangoon
reports that Vice Senior General Maung Aye has been
hospitalized. Our source indicated, though, that Maung Aye
had been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer that is not
treatable in Burma. The source hypothesized that the SPDC
Vice Chairman would soon be sent to Singapore for treatment.


2. (C) Comment: The apparent serious illness of Maung Aye
leads us to begin speculation on an SPDC without its current
second-in-command. The obvious choice of successor based on
rank and seniority is General Khin Nyunt (now Secretary One).
However, according to one former army officer, it would be
unprecedented for a military intelligence officer (who is
also not a graduate of the Defense Service Academy) to take
over as Deputy Commander-in-Chief. The other major players
in the SPDC now are reportedly too junior to be considered
for the Deputy position. Thus, the structure of a Burmese
regime sans Maung Aye could look much different than it
currently does. We doubt, though, whether policy would
change significantly. End comment.
Martinez