Despite its monolithic appearance, the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) is reportedly plagued by internal factionalism that belies its self-promoted image of unity.
USDP sources say four factions have formed within the party, grouped around three ex-generals Shwe Mann, Tin Aung Myint Oo and Htay Oo, and Aung Thaung.
Shwe Mann, the junta's No 3, and Secretary-1 Tin Aung Myint Oo resigned their army positions in late August in order to run for seats in the new lower house of parliament. Their high positions in the junta make it likely that they will be prominent in the parliament and in government.
The two men are reportedly not good friends, and Tin Aung Myint Oo became disliked among his soldiers because of a perceived arrogance. Junta supremo Snr-Gen Than Shwe made him a four star general in 2009, balancing rising star Shwe Mann.
Although Shwe Mann and Tin Aung Myint Oo are patron members of the junta-backed mass organization, Union Solidarity and Development Association, which became the USDP in April, they appeared to have avoided the organization because of its unpopularity.
“Unlike the late Gen Soe Win, who was directly involved with the USDA in its crackdown on Aung San Suu Kyi's convey in Depayin in May 2003, Gen Shwe Mann, Gen Tin Aung Myin Oo and other retired lieutenant generals were more likely to show themselves as good soldiers rather than leaders of the USDA or USDP,” said a source.
Generals who had to to retire in order to contest the Nov. 7 election were unhappy with the instruction and uncomfortable about working under the leadership of the USDP, sources said.
A USDP leader, Aung Thaung, minister of industry-1, is described as a “hardliner” within the party leadership. Since he is a close aide of Than Shwe and his son is married to the daughter of junta No 2 Maung Aye, military and USDP officials call him “untouchable.” His family, which runs the IGE company, is one of richest in Burma.
“U Aung Thaung leads a faction with USDP leaders,” said a USDP candidate for the regional parliament. “His faction is quite arrogant and does not care about generals who retired the from military in August and the other USDP faction led by Htay Oo.
“All former generals who now lead the USDP have their own business but they all avoid business areas involving U Aung Thaung's family.”
Htay Oo is well-known by foreign nongovernmental organization officials as an educated officer, as is Kyaw Thu, the chairman of the Civil Service Selection and Training Board.
USDP sources said Htay Oo is leading a so-called moderate party faction whose key members include Minister of Labor Aung Kyi, and Railways Minister Aung Min.
A businessman close to the ruling generals said Tin Aung Myint Oo's faction of hardliner retired generals could possibly cooperate with Aung Thaung's faction after the election since they share policy ideas.
Apart from USDP Chairman Thein Sein and a key candidate, Tin Aye, most of the current party leadership are from the early intakes of the National Defense College (NDC), the highest military elite school in the country, after it was upgraded in 1994, a year after the USDA was formed.
Shwe Mann and Tin Aung Myint Oo graduated from the 1st intake, while Htay Oo, Information Minister Kyaw Hsan, Culture Minister Khin Aung Myint and Home Minister Maung Oo were from the 2nd intake of the NDC.
Observers said USDP factionalism is unlikely to shake Than Shwe's control of power in Burma.
Source:http://irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=19910
USDP sources say four factions have formed within the party, grouped around three ex-generals Shwe Mann, Tin Aung Myint Oo and Htay Oo, and Aung Thaung.
Shwe Mann, the junta's No 3, and Secretary-1 Tin Aung Myint Oo resigned their army positions in late August in order to run for seats in the new lower house of parliament. Their high positions in the junta make it likely that they will be prominent in the parliament and in government.
The two men are reportedly not good friends, and Tin Aung Myint Oo became disliked among his soldiers because of a perceived arrogance. Junta supremo Snr-Gen Than Shwe made him a four star general in 2009, balancing rising star Shwe Mann.
Although Shwe Mann and Tin Aung Myint Oo are patron members of the junta-backed mass organization, Union Solidarity and Development Association, which became the USDP in April, they appeared to have avoided the organization because of its unpopularity.
“Unlike the late Gen Soe Win, who was directly involved with the USDA in its crackdown on Aung San Suu Kyi's convey in Depayin in May 2003, Gen Shwe Mann, Gen Tin Aung Myin Oo and other retired lieutenant generals were more likely to show themselves as good soldiers rather than leaders of the USDA or USDP,” said a source.
Generals who had to to retire in order to contest the Nov. 7 election were unhappy with the instruction and uncomfortable about working under the leadership of the USDP, sources said.
A USDP leader, Aung Thaung, minister of industry-1, is described as a “hardliner” within the party leadership. Since he is a close aide of Than Shwe and his son is married to the daughter of junta No 2 Maung Aye, military and USDP officials call him “untouchable.” His family, which runs the IGE company, is one of richest in Burma.
“U Aung Thaung leads a faction with USDP leaders,” said a USDP candidate for the regional parliament. “His faction is quite arrogant and does not care about generals who retired the from military in August and the other USDP faction led by Htay Oo.
“All former generals who now lead the USDP have their own business but they all avoid business areas involving U Aung Thaung's family.”
Htay Oo is well-known by foreign nongovernmental organization officials as an educated officer, as is Kyaw Thu, the chairman of the Civil Service Selection and Training Board.
USDP sources said Htay Oo is leading a so-called moderate party faction whose key members include Minister of Labor Aung Kyi, and Railways Minister Aung Min.
A businessman close to the ruling generals said Tin Aung Myint Oo's faction of hardliner retired generals could possibly cooperate with Aung Thaung's faction after the election since they share policy ideas.
Apart from USDP Chairman Thein Sein and a key candidate, Tin Aye, most of the current party leadership are from the early intakes of the National Defense College (NDC), the highest military elite school in the country, after it was upgraded in 1994, a year after the USDA was formed.
Shwe Mann and Tin Aung Myint Oo graduated from the 1st intake, while Htay Oo, Information Minister Kyaw Hsan, Culture Minister Khin Aung Myint and Home Minister Maung Oo were from the 2nd intake of the NDC.
Observers said USDP factionalism is unlikely to shake Than Shwe's control of power in Burma.
Source:http://irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=19910
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