Thein Sein: Reformist or Caretaker?
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Thein Sein: Reformist or Caretaker?


By AUNG ZAW / THE IRRAWADDY Tuesday, February 14, 2012


Thein Sein at a drug-burning ceremony in Kentung, in eastern Shan State (Photo: AP)
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Since becoming president last year, however, his administration has actively pursued peace talks with armed groups, achieving some success despite deep-seated mistrust.

Thein Sein continued his steady rise through the ranks, eventually becoming a member of the ruling State Peace and Development Council. When Than Shwe purged Khin Nyunt and his intelligence apparatus in 2004, Thein Sein replaced him as Secretary 1, the fourth-most powerful position in the junta. At the time, he was adjutant general in the War Office, heading the office that carried out the investigation into Khin Nyunt's alleged corruption, which served as the pretext for his ouster.

It came as a surprise to many when Thein Sein's government freed Burma’s feared former spy chief in January along with hundreds of political prisoners. The motive behind the release of Khin Nyunt is still unknown. It could have been for humanitarian reasons, but some analysts speculate that Thein Sein wanted to recruit Khin Nyunt to reach out to Burma's ethnic armed groups, since he was one of the architects of past ceasefire agreements.

Within three years of becoming Secretary 1, Thein Sein took over another one of Khin Nyunt's former jobs: When Prime Minister Soe Win died of leukemia in 2007, the all-powerful Than Shwe named Thein Sein to fill the vacant position.



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COMMENTS (14)
 
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The Oppressed. Wrote:
22/02/2012
You did a good writing from the brighter side, will you dare to write the darker side also?
By the way, what is your portion Thein Sein Administration?
(name withheld)

David Wrote:
20/02/2012
Hey, Blah Blah Blah,

With a name like that I'm sure that when u were born, ur poor mother must have been confused, frustrated, angry, disappointed 2 have named u Blah Blah Blah.

As ur name is, u talk like a "Blah Blah Blah".

Not under standing what "Rome was not built in a day" means.

It's a figure of speech people use as an expression, so they don't have 2 explain things, like what I am doing 2 u now.

Now with a name Blah Blah Blah,u prove ur self 2 b a Blah Blah Blah person with little knowledge education. With brains with no education, its people like us who have 2 explain things 2 u, is like talking 2 brick wall.

So, please do us a favoure, go get "EDUCATED" them come bk 2 this web page & we can then have a meaningful conversation. In the mean time I wish u luck with being educated. God help the TEACHER.

I hope he doesn't Blah Blah Blah 2 u Blah Blah Blah.

I wish u the BEST.




Khin Wrote:
20/02/2012
It is fairly obvious that General Thein Sein is acting for the big boss behind him,reform is to gain international acceptance for the military regime and to get sanctions lifted.He is almost there!

Blah Blah Blah Wrote:
18/02/2012
@ David, ("Rome was not built in a day") WHY SHOULD WE BELIEVE YOU THIS TIME? Because these were the exact words that Bo Ne Win's government used when they took power in 1962. After 26 yrs of BSPP Rule, lives of people got worsen 10 times. Again in 1988 Bo Than Shwe took over; said these same Old Phrases ; ruled for 23 years and STILL peoples' lives are 100 times worsened.

Mg Min Nway Wrote:
17/02/2012
After decades of enjoying power,earning enormous wealth and brutal suppression
of Human Right, Master wants to rest safely and peacefully.

Thein Sein is doing what his Master
ordered to do.

An almost complete narrative on Thein Sein proved it.

David Wrote:
16/02/2012
U guys wanted "CHANGE". Change is taking place. It takes time. "Rome was not built in a day". It taken 50 years 2 get 2 this stage.

Be thankful & greatful that it has come. Don't start 2 "WINGE" now.

From where I stand, it seem that u guys r never satisfied with anything.

Reading all the comments on this Irrawaddy web page,no 1 is ever satisfied of what ever happens,changes,progress there is always complaints...complaints.

Why don't we hear ..YEAH....change is happening, let us play a part in it, & take pride in being a part of it.

Take pride in it when u tell ur grand children that u were part of history.

KML Wrote:
15/02/2012
Dear Oo Maung Gyi,
The country’s debt around US$ 12 billions could become 100 times higher ( 1200 billions) if the ongoing exchange rate being materialised depending on the contracts.
I feel that debt is not a problem if the country has the active and booming economy. The current debt of US stands at more than US 14 trillions.
Human Development Index ( HDI) should be the better indicator to judge a country.

We win Wrote:
15/02/2012
Well-done account of Predsident Thein Sein's personal story.Wheather he is a puppet of the old regime or his own self only time will tell.Remember who his Dputy is,waiting behind the curtain? The Maestro puppeteer is not that naive and stupid.

KML Wrote:
15/02/2012
I strongly agree with “Oo Maung Gyi” that U Thein Sein is an ex-general, recently retired to become president. As any military man up to the post of General, at par with the profession, , he must have done “decisions” which may end up loss of lives. However, there is a saying that “known Devil is much better than unknown Angel”.
In the history, there were fathers of Independence, who never had a chance to run the country such as General Aunt San and Mahatma Ghandi, became Nationals Heroes for the rest of the history. On the other hands, there were fathers of Independence but did not meet every citizen’s expectations while running the country, ended up their lives in a bad situation such as Ferdinand Marcos ( Philippine ) and Sheik Mujibur Rahman( Bangladesh).
As “Soe Thane” mentioned, it is now depends on the cumulative performance and wisdom of all players including DAASK , U Thein Sein and Burmese people from all pages of politics to bring the country forwards.

Soe Thane Wrote:
15/02/2012
Everything now depends on how well ASSK, Thein Sein and other reformers in government and Hluttlaw will work together, put aside party and political differences, and focus on economic development and peace. That means actually that all of them have to admit that they know very little about real policy and bring in new blood, not activists but people with experience in different fields, like finance and public health.

If all the old political and military people (including ASSK and president) can say they are working together, but actually give the real job to younger 30-60 year old technocrats, then we will have a chance.

Otherwise, no reason to be much more optimistic than before

Oo Maung Gyi Wrote:
15/02/2012
Who is Thein Sein? He was ex-generals and blood tainted hand, but now to wrk as reformist for Than Shwe, because Ne Win and Than Shwe make the country bankcrupcy. Now the country is in debt of 1round 12 Billion US Dollars. By any means Thein Sein has to show human face to international community to get the country on democratic platform. China can not subsidise this debt as a selfish nation which is thinking only for the money not humanitarian cause. Now after the visit of Than Shwe's grand son to europe,
may be Than Shwe change his mind to make reforms. This is today Burma situation, but not to be trusted any of their movement. Be careful! The big cat never shows nail.

KO NAY OOLIN Wrote:
15/02/2012
No caretaker. No reformist. But any how nonesence talker as some politician or some mid-brain writer. Some politician they never done anything for country. Just 1 pack of sand also never been carry for country. All talk none sence. Never work. Strilke for people they say. And buuly government.Thusty power. All rubbish talk. If contry shaky they happy.

And some writer any how write. Never done anything pretical. Any used word to throw people. Not this time. General Aung San era also the same. Why country not improved. Because off them. All they talk justic, fair, right, everything. They never had been done anything yet. I hate all like as people. U Thein Sein , no need this question to him. He is petroitist. Ok

KML Wrote:
15/02/2012
In my opinion, President U Thein Sein is both “ the care taker” and “the reformist” with human face. The President seems in contrast to that of other military generals carrying intrinsic qualifications with double faces, chauvinists, xenophobic or butchers. Anyone with good heart will not only be judged by the general population of Burma and the international community, but also be in the history for infinite future. Good deed and human face must come from within, not by pressure. Without the great leader “Deng Xiaoping”, China will not be like what we are seeing today.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deng_Xiaoping

It is correct that “In less than one year, more political reform can be seen than the previous two decades” By saying so, the president should not take the reform process granted. Bringing back the spy chief, still bitterly hounded in the public heart, will definitely be the gravest mistake he could ever do in the future.


15/02/2012
Thein Sein is an appointed president who wants reform in Burma. However, he is thickly entangled by the past mess of SLORC and SPDC.

Thein Sein has only two choices; go ahead of his reformist plan which could even cost his life or run like a home grown horse inside a well-fenced garden.

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