By THE IRRAWADDY
Khin Nyunt in better times. (Photo: AP
Less than a week after his release from more than seven years under house arrest, Burma's former spy chief Khin Nyunt has described ethnic unity as the “greatest challenge” facing the country as it attempts to emerge from decades of internal conflict and international isolation.
In an interview with the Burmese edition of the The Myanmar Times on Thursday, the once feared head of military intelligence and former junta prime minister said he welcomed the current government's efforts to resolve ethnic tensions in the country.
He warned, however, that it would not be easy to end the distrust that has plagued relations between Burma's ethnic groups since the country became independent in 1948.
“Actually, the ethnic armed groups and ethnic people are very honest,” he said, adding that he has worked closely with them for many years.
In the lat 1980s and early 1990s, when he was at the height of his power, Khin Nyunt acted as the chief intermediary in negotiations with many of Burma's rebel groups, successfully reaching a series of ceasefire agreements that held until hostilities flared up again in 2010.
Despite his previous peacemaking role, however, he said that no one has requested his advice in dealing with the current tensions. If asked, he would be willing to help, he said.
Ousted in October 2004 on charges of corruption, he also described the hardships of his life under house arrest in the interview. He said that he and his family lived hand to mouth, and sometimes had to sell flowers and personal possessions to survive.
Now that he is free, he said, he still has no source of income or business connections to help make ends meet. He added that he plans to speak to his sons—former Lt-Col Zaw Naing Oo and former Bagan CyberTech owner Dr Ye Naing Win, who were also released from detention last week after serving sentences related to the charges against their father—about the family's future.
On the subject of sanctions, he said he hoped they would be lifted soon, as he felt they have only served to make life difficult for ordinary Burmese.
Without sanctions, Burma's struggling economy could finally take off, he said.
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