Sai Thein Win

Burma’s Nuclear ambitions have long been the subject of speculation.  But so far, rumours of attempts to build a reactor have only sparked scepticism.  Before Sai made the brave decision to leave Burma in February 2010, with this highly sensitive information, no material evidence had been seen.  But now, one man has changed all that.

Before he left Burma, Sai was a major in the Burmese army.  He was the deputy commander of a military factory at Myaing which was built to support a regiment near Thabeikkyin, where, Sai claims, the regime is trying to build a nuclear weapon.  An engineer who specialises in Rocket engines after five years of study in Russia, Sai was put to work to try and build parts for a missile.   At this factory he made a prototype part for a long range missile engine, and a part for a laser beam intented to enrich uranium.

He also worked at a second, identical factory for a short period before leaving Burma.  It is from this factory that he smuggled files that caught the eyes of our nuclear analyst, and changed the nature of our understanding of Burma’s nuclear ambitions.

Sai went to great efforts to bring with him colour photos of the buildings, the machines they are stocked with and what they are building.  He even took a photograph of himself in front of every machine so he would be able to show us when he came out!

In addition he can describe the special demonstrations he attended and can name the people and places associated with the Burmese nuclear program that he visited.  Although not a nuclear expert himself, Sai has provided invaluable information.  He is honest and clear about what he does and doesn’t know and what he has heard.

At a huge personal risk to himself Sai has revealed this information to the world in an attempt to stop what he sees as a dangerous, badly organised and expensive waste.  After 15 years in the army and all he had seen, he felt he had to leave.

His current location is highly secret.

The New Light of Myanmar

The Burmese response to our documentary in the state run newspaper, The New light of Myanmar, dismisses Sai as a person of lower rank and importance than he actually was.

“It is found that although he was a captain in service, he said himself he was Major Sai Thein Win in broadcasts by pretending to be a major”

For those that have any doubt I have attached a photo of Sai in front of his living quarters with his name on the door and uniform… both of which indicate his rank.

We also have a letter that promotes Sai as a major and a commander of the Myaing Factory.

TRANSLATION

Government and Union of Burma Defence Ministry

Office of appointing military ranks

Letter number 4             rank            (3)

Date:  May 29 2009

Subject:  Appointing rank:

The following officers, temporary heads of department from no 1 Science and technological material producing workshop are appointed rank (major)

LIST OF NAMES

a)

b)

c)

d)

e)

f)

The following officers, temporary heads of department from no 2 Science and technological material producing workshop are appointed rank (major)

LIST OF NAMES

a)

b)

C) Kyee (Infantry) 30586 Captain Sai Thein Win

d)

Signature