Desperation Trumps Xenophobia
Myanmar’s generals have repeatedly bashed the civilian government they ousted for hiring foreign experts, claiming this undermined national sovereignty. So, eyebrows were raised across Myanmar when junta-run media announced on Friday that the xenophobic regime is in the market for an experienced international consultant.
Apparently, the regime has realized that running a military dictatorship requires more than just brute force and propaganda.
The ruling generals are seeking outside expertise to help them design national policies using demographic data from their population census. The recruited expert will also be expected to make educated guesses on annual population changes. Applications are open until the end of this month, with candidates given the thrilling choice of visiting quake-hit Naypyitaw in person or simply emailing their résumés.
The ousted National League for Democracy (NLD) government’s pursuit of outside expertise was heavily criticized by military hardliners like Soe Thane, President Office Minister in Thein Sein’s administration, and Thein Sein’s advisor Nay Zin Latt, who accused it of selling out the country to external influence.
Sean Turnell, the NLD government’s economic advisor who was jailed by the regime, and former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who chaired its Advisory Commission on Rakhine, were favorite targets of the generals, who argued that hiring foreign advisors was costly and they could never truly understand the plight of Myanmar’s people.
So, the job advert prompts a question. Have the generals, who are deeply paranoid about foreign influence, had a change of heart? Has running the country and economy into the ground finally convinced them they might need some outside help? Or is this just another act in their ongoing political theater aimed at sanitizing brutal military rule?
Regime Chief Joins Putin and Xi in Moscow
Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing is set to visit Moscow at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany on May 9. The military parade, which commemorates the end of World War II, will also be attended by leaders from China, India, and Brazil.
According to junta media, Min Aung Hlaing’s visit will focus on strengthening cooperation with Russia in economic, security, and other sectors. He is also expected to hold private meetings with other international leaders attending the event. Read more
Phony Truce Extension Takes Deadly Toll
Myanmar’s regime has extended its earthquake truce until May 31 while continuing airstrikes on resistance territory.
The regime stated on Tuesday that it was extending its ceasefire to boost rehabilitation and reconstruction in earthquake-impacted areas to serve the national interest and build peace and stability.
Junta airstrikes targeted Hman Lal village in Natogyi Township, Mandalay Region, on Tuesday, killing a 13-year-old girl and a 54-year-old man and injuring eight others, including an infant and a mother. Read more
Civilians Bombed as TNLA Defies China Pressure
Myanmar’s junta has targeted Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) territory with airstrikes after Chinese-brokered ceasefire talks failed.
Peace talks organized in Kunming on April 28 and 29 failed after TNLA representatives refused to abandon five liberated towns and retreat to the Palaung’s self-administered Namhsan and Mangton townships in northern Shan State, the armed group said.
Regime representatives demanded the return of Hsipaw, Nawnghkio, Kyaukme and Mongmit towns in northern Shan State and Mogoke, a ruby town in the north of Mandalay Region. Read more
Regime Dismisses Rohingya State Demand as China Stays Silent
Myanmar’s regime has rejected a proposal by Bangladesh’s largest Islamist political party, Jamaat-e-Islami, for the creation of an independent Rohingya state in Rakhine State.
Jamaat made the proposal during a meeting with a Communist Party of China (CPC) delegation in Dhaka on Sunday. China has not responded.
The proposal undermined Myanmar’s sovereignty, the regime said, accusing Jamaat of contacting the CPC for political gain. Read more
