BURMA'S NEW FOREIGN MINISTER: NOT READY FOR PRIME

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 001250 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV, INR/B; PACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2014 TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR MARR CVIS BM SUBJECT: BURMA'S NEW FOREIGN MINISTER: NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME? REF: RANGOON 1237 Classified By: COM Carmen Martinez for Reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The Burmese regime's surprise choice as new Foreign Minister, a recently promoted Major General with thirty years of operational and combat military experience, is a virtual unknown in local diplomatic and military circles. FM Nyan Win's overseas experience appears limited to a stint at the National Defence College in India, a related study tour, and sundry regional travel. The 51 year-old diplomatic neophyte plans to embark on his first foreign affairs mission as alternate head of the GOB's UNGA delegation. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Maj-Gen Nyan Win took over his new duties as Burmese Foreign Minister shortly after his appointment on September 18 (reftel) and plans to embark on his first diplomatic mission as part of the GOB's UNGA delegation. On September 20 the SPDC appointed him alternate head of delegation and issued him a passport; however, his U.S. visa application process could delay his departure. In the meantime, the GOB delegation departed this week for New York under the leadership of Minister of Labor U Tin Winn. ¶3. (C) The 51 year-old Nyan Win is a virtual unknown among diplomatic and military circles. According to various sources, he was a 1973 graduate of the Defence Service Academy ("Batch 18") and was apparently assigned to military intelligence during the 1980s, working closely with Khin Nyunt and Sanda Win (the daughter of then-dictator Ne Win, now under house arrest) in suppressing the 1988 pro-democracy uprising. ¶4. (U) Nyan Win received several military awards and honors for combat experience during campaigns against ethnic insurgents in the 1970s and 1980s. Although he has no known professional experience overseas, he attended the National Defence College in India, receiving a diploma in strategic studies in 1988 (his English language capabilities are unknown). According to his official resume, he has spent the majority of his 30-year military career as an operational commander. ¶5. (SBU) As noted reftel, Nyan Win most recently served as deputy Director General of military training, reporting to SPDC member Lt Gen Kyaw Win. Nyan Win was promoted to Major General earlier this year but, according to local rumors, may resign from the military in order to carry out his duties as Foreign Minister. ¶6. (U) Begin text of official MOFA biography: Curriculum Vitae of His Excellency U Nyan Win, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Union of Myanmar Personal Data Name - Nyan Win date of Birth - 22 January 1953 Religion - Buddhist Martial Status - Married, 3 Children (3 sons) Education 1969-1973 - Graduated from the Defence Service Academy, with a Bachelor of Science 1988 - Graduated from National Defence College, India, with Diploma in Strategic Studies. Study tour to Nigeria, France and Bhutan. 2001 - Graduated from the National Defence College with MA Professional Career 1973-2000 - Served in Armed Forces (Army),Ministry of Defence as Unit Commander, Tactical Operation Commander 2001-2003 - Commandant, Command and General Staff college 2003-2004 - Vice Chief of Armed Forces Training, Office of Chief of Armed Forces Training Delegation and Conference Experience 1997 - Myanmar-Thai Boundary Meeting (Thailand) 2003 - Head of Myanmar Delegation, Study Tour, Vietnam 2004 - Myanmar Goodwill Delegation End text of MOFA biography. Martinez