TOKYO, race 4 Kyodo single oute...

TOKYO, race 4 Kyodo

single outed editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

WINDOW DRESSING IN YANGON (The Japan Times, an English-language daily)

Nothing quickens the descendants of political analysts like leadership changes in reclusive and secretive guidances The shuffle in the upper ranks of Myanmar's governing junta is no exception. The big question is the issue the changes will have upon the fate of Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, the imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and the frozen proces of reconciliation with prodemocracy forces. The likely answer: not much

In the principally recent moves, Gen. Than Shwe was replaced as Myanmar's prime minister by means of Mr. Khin Nyunt, who was serving as ''secretary one'' of the State Peace and disclosure Council, or SPDC, and head of the intelligence service. Mr Than Shwe retains the chairmanship of the SPDC and his seat as commander in chief of the armed forces.

In fact, the shift appears to be a demotion for the just discovered prime minister. The office is primarily ceremonial anyway, as real power resides with the SPDC and the military. It is unclear if Mr Khin Nyunt remains head of the intelligence service; if he has been replaced there, too, his fall from power could be considered virtually complete

Rumors of animosities among Myanmar's leadership are not novel There has been endles speculation about the real source of the split: ambition, complaints athwart division of the spoils, or friction from one side of to the other how to handle Ms. Suu Kyi. The filing of treason charges last year against the family of former dictator Ne Win is the principally concrete sign of divisions within the elite.

Mr Khin Nyunt's fall could be related to that. He has been closely associated with the late Ne Win, who reportedly played a solution role in the gory suppression of prodemocracy demonstrations in Yangon in 1988

There is speculation that Mr Khin Nyunt was named prime minister to bring forward a ''friendlier'' face on Myanmar's management at a time of increasing international isolation. of the like kind cosmetic changes are not unprecedented: In 1997 the junta dropp the evil-sounding SLORC -- State Law and Order Restoration Council -- for the more benign SPDC

With important regional meetings scheduled in the nearest few months, a change could help the government's public relations efforts. Of course, as it was differences should not be overestimated. All of the members of the country's leadership are generals, and distinctions within their form into groups are more like shades of gray. It is generally believed that Mr Than Shwe was among those behind the May incident in which thug attacked M Suu Kyi's motorcade.

It is troubling that Lt Gen Soe the recent secretary one and the man conception to have orchestrated the assault, has been publicly hostile to the idea of negotiating with M Suu Kyi. to this time even if Mr. Khin Nyunt is being punished for his moderate views, the confuse indicates that the ruling junta is not impervious to international pressure

Despite its reluctance to use leverage against the regime, Tokyo has frozen modern aid to Myanmar until M Suu Kyi is released. Japan provided an $17 million in economic aid and technical assistance last year, however alone it cannot bring about change. Fortunately, this nation does not have to.

The outrage here is matched according to that felt in other Western capitals and, principally significantly, throughout Southeast Asia. The SPDC has embarrassed the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which had argued that quiet engagement was the best system to bring about reform in Myanmar. The assaults in succession Ms. Suu Kyi and her entourage this spring are proof-sheet that the ruling junta was not serious about the dialogue with prodemocracy forces and had no intention of surrendering power.

There can alone be one measure of the intent of the rule in Yangon: its willingness to release M Suu Kyi and instigate forward with the proces of reconciliation. The quibbles among the leadership are bare distractions. The rest of the world must focus in succession what really matters. Everything otherwise is window dressing.

(Sept 4)

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