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When bombs go off in other parts of the world it takes some time to establish responsibility, but here the culprits were named the very next day!

 

“These terrorists groups have done these activities to cause public panic, to cause injury, and to disturb the ongoing National Convention and to give the image that Myanmar is not safe,” Brig-Gen Kyaw Thein said.

 

Exile groups were amused by the junta’s accusations—maintaining they could have done a better job.

 

Rangoon-based observers, anyway, doubt that rebels or exiles could penetrate the tightly controlled capital.

 

One theory suggests that the regime might have planted the bombs as a ploy to enable it to vilify vocal exile groups and promote the constitution-drafting National Convention, which is boycotted by Burma’s main opposition and the world community.

 

Aside from maintaining Rangoon’s “stability”, the generals continue to exploit the rebels in the countryside.

 

Since rebel groups are largely based along the borders, generals found a convenient excuse to expand military bases in ethnic states.

 

In southern Shan State, for instance, where Shan rebels are still active, the junta has increased troop strengths in Shan towns, setting up new battalions. The strong military presence in Shan State would become unnecessary if peace reigned there—a telling reason, say Shan observers, for the junta’s strong resistance towards opening talks with the Shan State Army (South).

 

The chimera of internal security threats fades dramatically, though, in comparison with another evident fear harbored within the War Office: an Iraq-style strike by the United States.

 

Regime leaders clearly suspected Burma was America’s next target after Iraq. Consider their actions following the invasion of Saddam Hussein’s Iraq: Local militia and volunteer forces were set up and trained. Civilians and government workers were ordered to attend training sessions. Civilians were issued with bamboo poles to repel the invaders.

 

A new post—air defense general—was created, even though the country lacks an effective air force.

 

Khin Nyunt’s intelligence faction strongly believed that the US was interested in having a stronghold or pro-American regime in Burma in order to “penetrate” neighboring China.

 

It’s interesting to note that Suu Kyi is constantly being described as a puppet of the West. If she were in power, say the generals, Burma would fall into the hands of the US.

 

You have to be really paranoid to believe that. Paranoid enough to bed down at the office.