Myanmar's Ne Win arrives here today

JAKARTA (JP): Myanmar's former leader Ne Win arrives here this afternoon as President Soeharto's private guest.

In this three-day visit, the retired general will be accompanied by his physician daughter Dan Khin Win, his son-in- law U Aye Zaw Win and his grandchild Maung Kyaw Ne Win.

"This visit is to fulfill the President's long-standing invitation," Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono said yesterday.

The two old friends last met in Yangon in February when Soeharto paid a state visit to the country.

Born on May 14, 1911, Ne Win, whose real name is Maung Shu Maung, attended a military college in Tokyo in 1941.

After returning home, he made a name for himself as one of the founding members of the Thirty Comrades organization, which fought against colonialism in the country. This group later evolved to become the nucleus of the National Army.

It was around that time that he changed his name to Ne Win, meaning "The Sun in Glory".

His efforts helped the country gain independence from Britain.

In 1958 Ne Win became prime minister, but his term lasted a brief 18 months.

In March 1962, he again became prime minister. Then in 1974 the State Council elected Ne Win as president.

On Nov. 9, 1981, Ne Win handed over the presidency to Army Gen. U San Yu for health reasons.

As explained by Moerdiono, Ne Win's visit would not be filled with stately functions.

"This is a familial visit to the President, and he is very willing to visit the grave of the former first lady, the late Ibu Tien Soeharto, in Solo," Moerdiono said after meeting with Soeharto at Merdeka Palace.

Tien Soeharto died in April last year.

A senior government official, who preferred anonymity, said yesterday that the government here was very cautious about arranging the visit.

It does not want to give the wrong impression to Myanmar's government, he said while quickly adding that "the chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council, Gen. Than Shwe, fully supports this visit". (prb)