‘The strength of the nation lies within’

Perhaps the most high profile prisoner freed under an amnesty on January 13 was former Military Intelligence chief and former prime minister, U Khin Nyunt, who had been held under house arrest since October 2004. The Myanmar Times spoke to the former general at his Mayangone township home four days after regaining his freedom

HE was the nation’s spy chief and prime minister until a spectacular fall from grace in 2004 saw him placed under house arrest. But U Khin Nyunt undoubtedly remains a magnetic and influential figure in Myanmar, as the architect of both the ceasefire agreements with armed ethnic groups in the ’90s and the seven-step Roadmap to Democracy, unveiled in 2003.

Accordingly, the release of the former general under an amnesty on January 13, along with about 100 former officers from the Directorate of Defence Services Intelligence, attracted as much attention as the freeing of high-profile opposition activists.

Four days after regaining his freedom he tells The Myanmar Times he has no plans to enter politics but is supportive of President U Thein Sein’s reformist government. He calls for the government to release the remaining prisoners of conscience and also on the international community to lift sanctions.

You unveiled the Roadmap to Democracy in August 2003. Why did reform happen so quickly after the roadmap was instituted?

[The speed of reform] depends on those who implement [the roadmap]. If they implemented [the roadmap] quickly, [reform] happened quickly. [The process of implementing the roadmap] also needed support; the understanding of the people. But the main actor is the government. It succeeded due to the performance of the government.

Momentum appears to have accelerated in the 10 months since the government came to power. Can these changes be reversed?

The president has already said that there is no reason to reverse. And the Hluttaw Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann also said that too. [The momentum] is very strong.

You were a high-profile and quite popular leader in the military in the past. Is the political landscape suitable for you to make a comeback?

I was out of contact with the outside world for seven years, although I got to know the situation through the media. I am not in touch with politics. I also don’t have any intention to take part in politics. But now I am doing religious activities and will do social activities. Then I will do my best privately for the peace and stability of the country. Privately! I keep in my mind that I will do my best for the country’s interests and development.

If the government or other individuals ask for your advice on politics, how would you respond? Have you already had requests?

No one has asked for my advice yet. I am determined not to take part in politics. If someone wants my advice for the sake of the country’s peace and prosperity, I will give good suggestions based on my experiences.

U Khin Nyunt at his home in Mayangone township on January 17.
Pic: Kaung Htet

The government is now in the process of peace talks with armed ethnic groups. What’s your view on that process?

Very good. I started the peace-building process with those armed groups. Both armed groups and those without arms are naturally very simple and honest. I had a very long relationship with them. I hope the attempt to achieve peace with them is successful. Only if all the ethnic armed groups and other nationalities are united will the union be powerful. I am very interested in [the peace building process]. I am also ready to give advice on that issue too.

You told journalists after your release that you will contribute to the development of education, heath and social sectors, as well as poverty reduction activities. Do you have any specific plans yet?

I will contribute privately without establishing an organisation. I intend to keep it private but will also let other people join if they wish. I even discussed it with my sons and they agree it is a noble idea.

There are still some people locked up. How do you feel about that and how quickly can they be reunited with their families and friends?

When you ask about it, my heart hurts. I am only 50 percent happy as my followers need to be released. Only when they are freed will I be completely happy. Not only my followers, there are also others who should be released. I mean detainees who could help the development of the country. There are still a lot of them. I want them to be free too. The strength of the nation lies inside the country. When the strength of the nation is used harmoniously and cooperatively, we will see rapid development.

Did you make any agreement or pledge with the authorities when you were released?

Nothing. I was quite astonished when I was freed. I thought some of my followers would probably be released but not me. I am quite surprised and glad. I am also grateful to President U Thein Sein for doing that which I didn’t expect.

What did you miss most during these long years under house arrest?

I didn’t miss anything. As soon as I knew I had to stay in my house I realised that I had time to do my religious work. Moreover, I am interested in gardening; nurturing plants in my compound. Environmental conservation is also a hot topic in the world, isn’t it? When everybody started talking and supporting it, I also became interested in it.

What was your secret to keeping healthy?

It was due to my religious work. I always prayed and meditated at the altar. I never let flowers wither and never let the water get dirty; both are offerings to the Buddha. We changed flowers and water everyday at our shrine. Only my wife and I did that task.

How will you look after your family’s financial future?

I discussed this with my family members last night, what we should do. We can’t afford to run a large business. My sons don’t have any businesses now and neither do I. There were no joint ventures and we don’t hold any shares. But it will be okay later. My sons are talented young men who served the country in the past. I hope it will be okay.

You said that you will talk to the people through the media.

It is good to see that [the media] has become more transparent. I want it that way. As we have very good communication tools, if I call you and invite you to come and listen to what I want to say, you will come here right away. Right?

Shortly after the amnesty on January 13 the United States announced an upgrading of diplomatic ties and said it would appoint an ambassador to Myanmar. ASEAN has again called for the US and European Union to lift sanctions. Do you have a message for the international community?

For the development of the country, we need strength from both inside and outside the country. It is impossible to rely only on local strength without the support of the outside. Now the outside strength is slowly coming into the country. The US had reduced diplomatic relations during our era but now they are sending an ambassador. It is great news. Then ASEAN is now standing with Myanmar. Myanmar also won the bid for chairmanship [in 2014]. The country now possesses quite a good image. I urge the US, EU and ASEAN to not only continue their support but also increase it for the development of the country and the people of Myanmar.

Australia recently lifted some sanctions but the US and EU are still mulling a decision. What’s your opinion?

Because of sanctions our country has suffered and this means the people have suffered too. The faster sanctions are withdrawn the more opportunities will appear for the people. The biggest challenge for our country is national unity, which can be seen only after peace is built among all the nationalities equally. The second challenge is the economy. Only when the economy is good will people have a sufficient life. Myanmar’s economy is not yet very good. If we solve those two challenges, the country can develop.