At the End of Their Ropes

Justice can be elusive in Burma, but when it comes, it comes with a vengeance. On Sept. 26, a Rangoon court found four members of the family of former Burma dictator Ne Win guilty of treason for plotting to overthrow the country's ruling military junta. The sentence: death by hanging for Aye Zaw Win, Ne Win's 54-year-old son-in-law, and grandsons Aye Ne Win, 25; Kyaw Ne Win, 23; and Zwe Ne Win, 21. Few tears were shed over the convicted. During his 26 years of dictatorship, Ne Win isolated Burma and led it to economic ruin. His offspring haven't raised the bar. Accustomed to privileges of power, including sweetheart business deals, Aye Zaw Win and the grandsons were cast by prosecutors as gangsters who plotted revolt when authorities threatened their luxurious lifestyles. As for Ne Win, 91, he's been under house arrest since the plot was discovered in March. There's doubt he will ever be tried. It's likely the death sentences will be commuted to life in prison by the Supreme Court. Still, despised as Burma's current leaders are, they've given Ne Win's clan a long-awaited comeuppance. For once Burmese are cheering the government.