Coup in Burma - 2002-03-12

The military government of Burma says that the coup plotters who were arrested last week intended to seize power by kidnapping three of the country's highest leaders. The Deputy of Military Intelligence in Burma stated today in Rangoon that the son-in-law and three grandsons of former dictator Ne Win had devised the coup plan. He said the detainees confessed to the details of this plot during interrogation. It is reported that the coup plotters wanted to kidnap the three main leaders of the country and force them to pledge loyalty to the former dictator, creating a puppet government on his behalf. Mr. Ne Win himself is under house arrest in the capital of Burma and has not been accused of any crime. Diplomats say this failed coup is expected to lead to a widespread purge within the Burmese government. The military government of Burma claims that the failed conspiracy by Ne Win's relatives to carry out a coup will not divert the government from its current negotiations with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Kyaw Win, the Deputy of Military Intelligence in Burma, told reporters that the leaders of Burma are ready to continue their negotiations with Aung San Suu Kyi, which began in October 2000. Last week, Burmese officials arrested the son-in-law and three grandsons of former dictator Ne Win on charges of conspiracy to overthrow the government with the help of a group of unnamed army officers. The Deputy of Military Intelligence in Burma stated that the coup plotters intended to kidnap three senior leaders of Burma and force them to swear allegiance to Ne Win and form a puppet government. Ne Win is currently under house arrest.