US embassy cable - 04RANGOON1250

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 001250 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV, INR/B; PACOM FOR FPA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PINR, MARR, CVIS, BM 
SUBJECT: BURMA'S NEW FOREIGN MINISTER: NOT READY FOR PRIME 
TIME? 
 
REF: RANGOON 1237 
 
Classified By: COM Carmen Martinez for Reasons 1.4 (b,d) 
 
1. (SBU) Summary:  The Burmese regime's surprise choice as 
new Foreign Minister, a recently promoted Major General with 
thirty years of operational and combat military experience, 
is a virtual unknown in local diplomatic and military 
circles.  FM Nyan Win's overseas experience appears limited 
to a stint at the National Defence College in India, a 
related study tour, and sundry regional travel.  The 51 
year-old diplomatic neophyte plans to embark on his first 
foreign affairs mission as alternate head of the GOB's UNGA 
delegation.  End Summary. 
 
2. (SBU) Maj-Gen Nyan Win took over his new duties as Burmese 
Foreign Minister shortly after his appointment on September 
18 (reftel) and plans to embark on his first diplomatic 
mission as part of the GOB's UNGA delegation.  On September 
20 the SPDC appointed him alternate head of delegation and 
issued him a passport; however, his U.S. visa application 
process could delay his departure.  In the meantime, the GOB 
delegation departed this week for New York under the 
leadership of Minister of Labor U Tin Winn. 
 
3. (C) The 51 year-old Nyan Win is a virtual unknown among 
diplomatic and military circles.  According to various 
sources, he was a 1973 graduate of the Defence Service 
Academy ("Batch 18") and was apparently assigned to military 
intelligence during the 1980s, working closely with Khin 
Nyunt and Sanda Win (the daughter of then-dictator Ne Win, 
now under house arrest) in suppressing the 1988 pro-democracy 
uprising. 
 
4. (U) Nyan Win received several military awards and honors 
for combat experience during campaigns against ethnic 
insurgents in the 1970s and 1980s.  Although he has no known 
professional experience overseas, he attended the National 
Defence College in India, receiving a diploma in strategic 
studies in 1988 (his English language capabilities are 
unknown).  According to his official resume, he has spent the 
majority of his 30-year military career as an operational 
commander. 
 
5. (SBU) As noted reftel, Nyan Win most recently served as 
deputy Director General of military training, reporting to 
SPDC member Lt Gen Kyaw Win.  Nyan Win was promoted to Major 
General earlier this year but, according to local rumors, may 
resign from the military in order to carry out his duties as 
Foreign Minister. 
 
6. (U) Begin text of official MOFA biography: 
 
Curriculum Vitae of His Excellency U Nyan Win, Minister of 
Foreign Affairs, Union of Myanmar 
 
Personal Data 
Name - Nyan Win 
date of Birth - 22 January 1953 
Religion - Buddhist 
Martial Status - Married, 3 Children (3 sons) 
 
Education 
1969-1973 - Graduated from the Defence Service Academy, with 
a Bachelor of Science 
1988 - Graduated from National Defence College, India, with 
Diploma in Strategic Studies.  Study tour to Nigeria, France 
and Bhutan. 
2001 - Graduated from the National Defence College with MA 
 
Professional Career 
1973-2000 - Served in Armed Forces (Army), Ministry of 
Defence as Unit Commander, Tactical Operation Commander 
2001-2003 - Commandant, Command and General Staff college 
2003-2004 - Vice Chief of Armed Forces Training, Office of 
Chief of Armed Forces Training 
Delegation and Conference Experience 
1997 - Myanmar-Thai Boundary Meeting (Thailand) 
2003 - Head of Myanmar Delegation, Study Tour, Vietnam 
2004 - Myanmar Goodwill Delegation 
 
End text of MOFA biography. 
Martinez