THAN SHWE AND KHIN NYUNT - A CONTRAST IN STYLE

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000013

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/05/2014
TAGS: PGOV BM
SUBJECT: THAN SHWE AND KHIN NYUNT - A CONTRAST IN STYLE

Classified By: CDA, a.i Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.5(D).


1. (C) Summary: Prime Minister Khin Nyunt and Senior
General Than Shwe hosted weekend functions involving
Rangoon's diplomatic corps that illustrated the marked
contrast in their styles. Khin Nyunt is engaging and
polished, while Than Shwe is distant, grandiose, and strikes
some observers as somewhat dazed. Despite these differences
in style, both seem committed to the generals' continued
control of Burma, either in uniform or in mufti. End Summary.

Khin Nyunt Woos Dip Corps...


2. (SBU) Apologizing to the heads of embassies and UN
organizations for being largely inaccessible to them since
becoming Prime Minister on August 25, General Khin Nyunt
hosted a "Social Dinner" at a large GOB guesthouse January
2nd. On arrival he slowly made his way down the receiving
line, smiling and chatting amicably with many along the way.
He gave a speech in excellent English, reviewing the
highlights of 2003 and pledging amity and prosperity for

2004. During dinner a band performed mostly western music
while an army of waiters served the nine-course meal. At the
evening's conclusion the Prime Minister (dressed in
traditional Burmese garb) and Mrs. Khin Nyunt shook the hands
of all departing guests and wished them a happy new year.
Clearly General Khin Nyunt attempted to play the role of the
charming host and gracious Prime Minister.

Than Shwe's Independence Day Celebration


3. (C) Senior General Than Shwe, in contrast, hosted a black
tie affair January 4 to mark the 56th anniversary of Burma's
independence from Britain. He arrived at the venue --
ironically, Burma's largely unused parliament building -- in
a dress uniform featuring an assemblage of medals and
decorations. Than Shwe was preceded down the receiving line
by a tight phalanx of twenty one photographers who shot rolls
of film during the four minute exercise. (Comment: why
twenty one photographers in a country with a
government-controlled press? Certainly one or two official
photographers would have sufficed, unless the press gaggle
was to glorify the spectacle of Than Shwe's entry.) Trailed
by Prime Minister Khin Nyunt and Vice Senior General Maung
Aye, the Senior General worked his way down the diplomatic
receiving line, robotically shaking the hands of the
assembled, often not even looking at them, let alone saying
anything.

Is That Senior General Anawrahta or King Than Shwe?


4. (C) After the 400 guests had quickly wolfed down dinner,
all moved into a large hall and were treated to a Myanmar
Cultural Night. The evening's climax was a musical and dance
tribute to King Anawrahta, the first unifier of the country.
The Founder King was seen inspecting public works projects,
paying homage to venerable monks, rallying the troops and
citizenry, and building a stable and prosperous kingdom. At
that point the dancers froze and a cinema-sized screen began
showing heroic clips of General Than Shwe inspecting public
works projects, making donations to monks, addressing huge
outdoor USDA rallies, and winning the adulation of all. The
blatant political crudeness of the "cultural show" caused
some diplomats and UN officials new to Rangoon to gasp, then
choke back snickers, although the more experienced knew this
to be Than Shwe's standard fare.


5. (C) Comment: Khin Nyunt as polished politician versus
Than Shwe as a Brezhnev-like dotard and buffoon are two
superficial images probably reinforced among some who
attended these two events. It does not automatically follow,
however, that there is any real policy difference between
them despite the vast difference in style and demeanor. Many
diplomats charmed by Khin Nyunt's hospitality may be tempted
to view him as a political "moderate," when the evidence
seems to indicate he remains steadfastly committed to the
generals' control of Burma. He may be keener than some,
however, to have the generals' control continue in civilian
attire, as opposed to Than Shwe's penchant for heavily
bemedaled uniforms. End Comment.
McMullen