Myanmar's strongman Ne Win led country down path of isolation
YANGON, March 9 (AFP) - Reclusive former dictator Ne Win, whose son-in-law and three grandsons have been arrested for plotting a coup against the junta, continued to wield influence in Myanmar long after he stepped down in 1988.
But the arrest of his family members Thursday, and a military clampdown around his villa on the shores of Yangon's Inya Lake, are stunning signs that the frail 92-year-old no longer pulls the strings of the junta.
In 1962 when he seized power, Burma, as it was then known, was still considered one of Asia's potentially rich countries, blessed with vast natural resouces.But by the time he stepped down in 1988, the nation Ne Win renamed Myanmar was one of the world's poorest countries thanks to his stubborn neo-Marxist "Burmese Way to Socialism."
As much of Asia moved towards an economic explosion in the second half of the 20th century, General Ne Win turned back the clock -- inflicting a rigid code of self sufficiency and shunning outsiders.
"What Ne Win did to this country was terrible, it was criminal," said one experienced diplomat here."What he did was to turn its back on the rest of the world, and inflict on the unfortunate people a code of self sufficiency, roughly translated as living at subsistence levels."
As a young man, Ne Win was a key member of the "Thirty Comrades" which joined with Japan in World War Two to fight British colonialism under the charismatic leadership of independance hero Aung San.
Forty years later Ne Win, then an ageing and reviled dictator, would come into conflict with Aung San's daughter, Aung San Suu Kyi, after she emerged at the head of the pro-democracy movement.
"Ne Win was never a person to cultivate a cult, like some Asian leaders of his era," said a diplomat. "He was a recluse, preferring to direct things from behind the scenes and his influence endured for a long time after he went officially."
Analysts say that even after Ne Win retired to his sprawling Yangon home, the notion he favoured one or other of the members of the regime could boost their profile, or perceived influence in the government.
And more recently, many said the fate of historic talks between Aung San Suu Kyi and the generals, which began in October 2000 sparking hopes for democratic reform, would hang on the wishes of the "Old Man".
Ne Win's reclusiveness spawned a rich folklore, from tales of his colourful love life -- he reputedly had four wives -- to his obsession with numerology. For years Myanmar had currency -- for instance 45 kyats -- where the two figures added up to nine as for New Win it was a signigifant number.
Eighty-eight was reputedly another favourite, prompting some observers to speculate that it convinced him that 1988 was the time to retire.