Resignation of Ne Win OKd by Burma Party

The ruling political party Monday accepted the resignation of strongman Ne Win as party chairman, but it opposed his call for a referendum that could have ended 26 years of one-party rule, a delegate to the special congress said.

At the final session of the three-day congress, the ruling Burma Socialist Program Party also considered sweeping economic reforms designed to revive the moribund economy.

The 77-year-old Ne Win, who came to power in a 1962 military coup, abruptly announced Saturday that he was resigning. He cited bloody anti-government rioting in March and June and his age as key factors in his decision. No successor has been named.

Ne Win’s isolationist policies have been blamed for leading Burma--potentially one of the richest nations in the region--into economic disaster.

The party delegate, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the 1,061 delegates at the congress voted to accept Ne Win’s resignation and that of party Vice Chairman San Yu, also the country’s president, but to retain them as “inactive members.” The resignations of several other top party officials were not accepted.

Official Radio Rangoon did not announce the decision, instead broadcasting incomplete remarks by party General Secretary Aye Ko that some delegates had favored approving the resignations.

The radio also reported that the congress empowered the party’s central committee to evaluate a package of reforms to aid the stagnant state-run economy, by allowing more private enterprise and encouraging joint ventures with foreign firms.

Diplomats were skeptical about the proposed reforms, which are expected to be put to a special meeting of Parliament on Wednesday. “Everyone is waiting for the fine print,” one envoy said.

Further, diplomats do not believe the resignation of Ne Win, who has dominated Burmese politics for a generation, will mean his withdrawal from power. The envoys noted that the congress had refused to allow the strongman to leave the party.