New Military Chief Snubs China with Vietnam Visit
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Burma

New Military Chief Snubs China with Vietnam Visit


By SAI ZOM HSENG Tuesday, November 15, 2011


Burmese military delegation leaving Naypyidaw Airport en route to Vietnam. (Photo: New Light of Myanmar)
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As Burma wakes up to the news it will assume the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) chair in 2014, Gen Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Vietnam on Monday for his first trip as commander-in-chief of defense—conspicuously not choosing to visit China like his predecessors.

And observers believe that Burma's new position at the centre of Asean could signal a departure from its previous close relationship with Beijing in the wake of the Myitsone Dam project suspension.

Although there has been no detailed announcement about the trip from Naypyidaw, military observers have said that the visit was intended to cement military bilateral corporation between the two countries at the invitation of Vietnam’s National Defense Minister Gen Phung Quang Thanh.

Burma’s former Commander-in-Chief Tin Oo, currently one of the leaders of the National League for Democracy (NLD), said that there have not been many instances of military corporation with Vietnam. He added that the two nations merely conducted research together and Burmese commanders made a case study of the separation of North and South Vietnam.

Tin Oo said, “There’s a small difficulty with China since the president declared the suspension of the Myitsone Dam. Although it is just a military delegation, they want to gain some political respect from China by showing military corporation with Vietnam.”

Burma’s newly elected President Thein Sein suspended the Chinese-funded Myitsone Dam project on Sept. 30 in the face of fierce protests from local people and environmental groups.

Tin Oo also speculates that “the United States is trying to engage with both the Burmese government and opposition groups like our NLD. Therefore, the delegation might also ask for suggestions regarding how to deal with the United States.”

Aung Lynn Htut, a former major in Burmese intelligence who defected in 2005 while serving as deputy chief of the Burmese embassy in Washington D.C., said that although Burma and Vietnam are not military allies, there’s a historical relationship between the respective armed forces regarding defense strategy during the American-Vietnam war.

Aung Lynn Htut said, “it is a significant visit because in the past the trip would be made by ministers. It seems that the Burmese Army wants a military alliance in the Southeast Asian region in order to get an alternative against China being the main source of military hardware to Burma.”

Aung Kyaw Zaw, a Sino-Burmese military observer, said that the goal of the trip is more likely to be influencing Burma's relationship with China.

“China might be worried when they see that a Burmese commander-in-chief went to Vietnam which has been in conflict with [Beijing] over the maritime dispute [regarding oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea]. Burma also wants to show China that they can deal with any country,” said Aung Kyaw Zaw. “They might also ask to buy some military installations from Vietnam in the future.”

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tinmyint Wrote:
27/11/2011
'kya zu', Mr. John Chen. You hit the nail on the head!

oo maung gyi, you really hate China, don't you? A taste of your own medicine, I spelled your name with lower case letters to teach you a lesson.

As for you, Chunkaw, 'masters of jungle warfare, how many years of Karen, Shan and Kachin insurgency going on in Burma? Maybe you weren't even born when it started, eh?

Thein Win Wrote:
23/11/2011
Why Than Shwe sold Simmalaik built Anawrhata class Frigate to Vietnam? Burma need more War Ships to counteract Bangladesh Navy. Burma wants money? Than Shwe wants commission?

Pe Kyaw Htin Wrote:
20/11/2011
Dear Irrawaddy,

Why do you publish Myint Myat Twe's comment? Is not it rubbish and libelous, which
is against your policy? It is not only pessimistic but also destructive to the unity of our Nation. I suggest that people like MMT should correct themselves or
otherwise "Thamaing will beat them".

John Chen Wrote:
19/11/2011
The U.S. has a history of using people they label as dictators to get what they need, and then overthrowing and killing them once they have gotten what it wanted. Just look at Iraq and Libya. The only way that the U.S. can continue to thrive is if every other country in the world sign an agreement not to surpass them. To them, if you are better than them, you must be cheating. As occupy movements spread all across the U.S., and they engage in their own brutal repression of free speech and expression, their leaders trot around the world like buffoons, bloated with self-righteousness, trying to lecture people about Democracy (people with holes in their pockets are cocky all day). By trying to contain China, they have a started a fire, which will eventually burn their own house down.

Chunkaw Wrote:
19/11/2011
Myanmar CNC visit to Vietnam can be regarded as new and positive approach for Myanmar Armed forces. Both countries are masters of jungle warfare and borders with China. Another blow for China will be Hilliary Clinton visit to Myanmar where in no doubt US and our country relations will be promoted again. Myanmar is in delicate state at present. If the government can utilise the situation properly and people sentiments can be utilized properly the country will prosper in great magnitude.

Oo Maung gyi Wrote:
17/11/2011
Some more big blows are coming soon to china as US is taken step to build military base in Australia to protect US interest in Asia Pacific. As china is building Gas and Oil pipe lines from Kyaukpyu, the Arakan State to Yunan will there be having chinese navy to keep at Kyaukpyu port for the interest of chinese security. It is impossible to keep chinese navy at Kyaukpyu port due to Sitwe port has given concession to India that can make power balance for Burma. Burma is strategic to east and west so all supowers are taken interest on Burma especially china had invested tens of billion dollars project in Burma is now endanger as US is taking its interest in Asia Pacific.

Thein Win Wrote:
17/11/2011
Vietnam bought Simalaik built Anawrahta class Frigate with C802 guided missiles. We should support this case.

ludu Wrote:
17/11/2011
Difference between ThanShwe and TheinSein is that the latter always make you happy a little bit first and make you confused and upset more later.

Myanmar Patriots Wrote:
17/11/2011
The title is emotive and provocative.
Nothing is that simple. China cannot be ignored.

Alex Wrote:
17/11/2011
Congratulations Burmese! This move helps get Burma back to be friend of any friendly countries in the world excluding China.

The two parties can now give tightened handshakes and embraces... for a better life of Burmese. The only thing I see strange is that why there are only 7 comments so far. Should not be this scanty.

Oo Maung gyi Wrote:
16/11/2011
Burmese military chief visit to vietnam is some thing like a blow to china. As a matter of fact that duing the US and Vietnam war time, US requested U Nu, the then PM of elected government to make US base in Burma,but U Nu diplomatically played a trick that Bumar were participating in Non Alignment movement, so the request were turn dawn.So Vietnam has a better understanding with Burma than china. As china is greedy to exploit Burma national resources, there is no more chances for china to get opportunity in Burma doing business in future.

Pe Kyaw Htin Wrote:
16/11/2011
Our President, U Thein Sein, and General Min Aung Hlaing are pragmatic leaders. Let us support them.
We are very happy that our country is now on the right path, thanks to our leaders.

Steven Wrote:
16/11/2011
Dont forget the burman are in jungle war. The cnc went to vtnm for such warfare strategies

Hien Wrote:
16/11/2011
Burma made the right move. As friends like Lao and Cambodia. VN have been showing its supportive to these nations independent against any big powers. Even the Vietnamese people had a very hardship in life liked 1978-79 which VN had stopped Khmer Rouge to protect Cambodian also against China invaded in the North VN's border with China, and faced with US embargo. Also US gave intelligent about VN to China to help China to "teach VN a lesson". Vietnam did a very excellent in those time frames. Burma can trust Vietnam. If Burma choose VN as a friend.

Hien Wrote:
16/11/2011
Burma made the right move. As friends like Lao and Cambodia. VN have been showing its supportive to these nations independent against any big powers. Even the Vietnamese people had a very hardship in life liked 1978-79 which VN had stopped Khmer Rouge to protect Cambodian also against China invaded in the North VN's border with China, and faced with US embargo. Also US gave intelligent about VN to China to help China to "teach VN a lesson". Vietnam did a very excellent in those time frames. Burma can trust Vietnam. If Burma choose VN as a friend.

Myint Myat Twe Wrote:
16/11/2011
Most of them are acting like prostitutes

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