Rival Generals To Tour Northern Shan State Together

Rival Generals To Tour Northern Shan State Together

S.H.A.N. correspondent reported yesterday that the two top generals and rivals, Maung Aye and Khin Nyunt, are due to arrive in the north tomorrow and that the local authorities have been busy sprucing up their respective towns.

People in Namkham, Muse and Lashio were saying the two generals have never made a joint tour, as far as they could remember, without Senior General Than Shwe, who is expected to retire within the year. 

Sources also told S.H.A.N. that the projected tour is somewhat unusual. "What is usual is that all the streets, both big and small, have to be swept clean," said one source "But what is unusual is that all billboards with Chinese characters are being ordered to be either blotted out or removed. That has never happened before.

" Another source also spoke about an official sweep in Muse on 20 - 25 April, when more than 20 money changers in town were taken into custody. A source said the surprise raid might be connected to the generals' surprise visit. "It's because of you people that our currency is getting poor rates," one officer was reported to have told an arrested money changer.