A coup d'état in the making?

Rangoon (AsiaNews/Agencies) -- A coup d'état may be in the making in Myanmar.  For some hours, Thai military sources and foreigner secret services have been referring to a big crisis in top government ranks and to the arrest of Prime Minister Khin Nyunt.

"They're telling us that something's amiss in Myanmar and that it's quite a serious matter," said the Thai deputy military chief commander, adding that, "News has not been consistent: some say that Khin Nyunt has been removed from the position of prime minister, others that he has been put under house arrest or taken to jail."

Authorities in Myanmar have released no official statement.  Diplomatic sources in Rangoon refer to rumours that the premier was arrested as part of a crackdown on military officials faithful to General Maung Aye, "number two" of the military junta that rules the country with an iron fist.  Eye witnesses say that the presence of soldiers outside military headquarters in the capital has increased.

In recent months, diplomats and international observers have referred to a power struggle between Khin Nyunt, in some ways considered a moderate, and Than Shwe, chief commander of Burma's military who has always held a hard line against any sort of concession to the opposition democratic party.  While waiting to learn of Khin Nyunt's fate, the Thai government has declared that whatever has occurred in Myanmar remains a domestic matter of that country.

• Myanmar
• coup
• d'état
• democracy
• junta
• army