YANGON, April 10 (AFP) - The Myanmar junta's stunning move against relatives of former dictator Ne Win, who were accused of plotting a coup and thrown in jail, has left it with an unprecedented grip on power.
Ne Win's favourite daughter Sandar Win, her husband and their three sons face charges of high treason, an offence punishable by death, over their alleged conspiracy to wrest power from the regime.
Yangon opinion on the causes of last month's dramatic events remains divided, with some insisting the affair marks an historic political transition and others that it was a mere sideshow.
But there is broad agreement that by sidelining Ne Win, whose influence lingered long after he stepped down in 1988 after 26 years in power, the regime's ruling troika have proven themselves masters of their domain.
"Killing three birds with one stone", they have underlined their dominant role, silenced any dissent in the military, and halted the increasingly embarrassing antics of the Ne Win family.
"They are flying on their own now with no pschological baggage," said one well-placed observer. "It has made the military more united, because any dissenters know that for their own survival they will have to stay quiet."
The move has also helped silence perennial rumours of splits between junta number-two, army chief General Maung Aye, and number-three, Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt, who reputedly vie for influence under the leadership of Senior General Than Shwe.
"If the three fall out then it's the end. They know they have to hang together despite their differences," said an Asian diplomat in Yangon.
Ne Win's influence on political life in Myanmar had undoubtedly waned over recent years as he reached his 90s and became increasingly infirm, but many believed that democratic reform would never happen while he was alive.The government is no longer in the shadow of Ne Win," said one Yangon-based diplomat. "That leaves Than Shwe, Maung Aye and Khin Nyunt in a stronger position than ever."
Announcing the arrests of Ne Win's son-in-law and grandson on March 7, the junta said they had attempted to enlist the help of elements in the military after growing disgruntled over the lack of privileges being extended to them.But while observers scoff at the suggestion that the Ne Win clan could ever have pulled off a coup, most believe their appalling behaviour over the years eventually became too much for the government to endure.
"In a military regime only the man who has the gun is powerful, and a man of more than 90 years old with no divisions behind him poses no threat," said one Asian diplomat."Some people say it could all be a drama cooked up by the generals to cut the family down to size."
Few ordinary citizens lament the fall of the Ne Win family, which had parlayed their patriarch's connections into an extensive business empire.Sandar Win earned particular dislike for her role in the bloody suppression of a 1988 uprising. And one of her sons was a notorious hooligan whose "Scorpion" gang roamed Yangon with impunity.Now, with Ne Win and his daughter under virtual house arrest at their lakeside residence while the other family members languish in jail, the government is considering its next move.
Sources in Yangon says the pair may be looking for refuge in Singapore, where Ne Win has travelled frequently for medical treatment."Certainly they may have indicated that they would like to go to Singapore, but the question is will Singapore take them," the Asian diplomat said.
Myanmar is also anticipating the possibility of an open trial of the four top figures netted in connection with the coup attempt -- the air force chief of staff, two regional military commanders and the chief of police.
"The three sons and the husband will definitely be charged. But will they put senior army officers in the dock and try them. By making an example of them they will also expose cracks in the ranks," the diplomat said.