Generals ‘still in control’

Dec 02, 2017

By Gerard O’Connell
“It was essential that the Pope met General Min Aung Hlaing, the commander in chief of the defence forces. He did well to do so,” a Myanmar priest, who asked not to be identified said.

Pope Francis surprised many observers by meeting the general and four other military leaders on Nov 27 evening, at the archbishop’s residence, ahead of the Nov 28 meeting with the state president and state counsellor, Aung San Suu Kyi. Before he left Rome the Vatican had announced that he would meet the general on Thursday, Nov 30. It gave no explanation for the change of plan, nor did it say who requested it.

“I was happy at this because I think it would not have been good if the Pope only met the president and the state counsellor, because the fact is the military are still in control here even if we have a civilian government,” the priest said. “And perhaps, by talking to the general and the other military leaders [his friends] who accompanied him, the Pope may be able to use words that soften their hearts.” -- America Magazine