Many Myanmar watchers might have been surprised when they got news of the pending release of nearly 4,000 prisoners who had been inappropriately jailed by the notorious Military Intelligence (MI) wing of former Prime Minister Gen. Khin Nyunt's regime.
Khin Nyunt had been detained the night of Oct. 18 and replaced by Lt. Gen. Soe Win the next day. Poor health was cited as the initial reason for his removal, but five days later Lt. Gen. Thura Shwe Man of the State Peace and Development Council said Khin Nyunt had been taken into custody for misuse of power and corruption. Subsequently the council demolished the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), headed by Khin Nyunt, and arrested many officers in a move that was welcomed by almost every citizen.
Myanmar's military government had been urged by many individuals and groups to release its political prisoners to add credence to its statement that their arrests reflected an abuse of power by Khin Nyunt when he was head of MI; to facilitate the process of national reconciliation; and to demonstrate its gratitude to friendly countries for their long-standing political and economic support, especially members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Japan.