Junta unhappy with Thailand over Htein Maung

No.05 - 3/2007
13 March 2007
Thai-Burma Relations
 
Junta unhappy with Thailand over Htein Maung
 
Ministerial sources say Burma's military rulers had been highly indignant over the small number of former members of the Karen armed resistance under Brig-Gen Htein Maung who surrendered last month.
 
According to The New Light of Myanmar, 320 members of the Karen National Union/ Karen National Liberation Army Peace Council (KNU/ KNLA-PC) were present at the "Victory of Peace Welcoming Ceremony" held in Kawkareik township, Karen State on 11 February. They were led by Htein Maung, former commander of the KNLA's 7th Brigade.
 
The brigade's 5 battalions: 19, 21, 22, 24 and 101 and their commanders did not turn up at the ceremony.
 
"Somehow our leaders especially Gen Maung Aye are under the impression that Thai authorities had prevented the majority of the brigade to follow Htein Maung," said a source.
 
Karen sources however said the said battalions had pledged their allegiance to the KNU leadership since September, 5 months before the surrender took place. (Htein Maung recently rejected the word "surrender" for his turning over to his erstwhile enemies whom he had fought against for more than 40 years.)
 
"Accordingly, our ministry has been specifically instructed to place special emphasis on the teaching of the 'Hate Thai' history," said a senior official from the education ministry.

 
^{Myanmar-Yodaya Relations
(Basic Education High School Level)}

The said history, officially titled 'Burma-Thai Relations", authored in the wake of the 2001 military confrontation between the two countries was a standard textbook for middle school and high school students until 2004 when Gen Khin Nyunt, then Chairman of the National Education Committee, was ousted.
 
According to the junta generals who meet every 4 months, Thailand is their most immediate enemy. The last meeting took place in January.