Coup or power struggle?

8 March: Four of Ne Win's relatives arrested 12 March: Government gives details of 'coup plot' 13 March: EU team arrives in Rangoon 14 March: General Khin Nyunt unavailable for EU appointment 15 March: EU team meets NLD

But correspondents say speculation of a power struggle among the senior generals over how to deal with the opposition is rife in the capital Rangoon.

The rumours are being fuelled by the announcement just days before the EU delegation arrived that the government had foiled a coup plotted by the family of the former military ruler, Ne Win.

General 'unavailable'

Observers say the allegations and arrests of members of Ne Win's family may indicate disagreements over the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD).

Military intelligence chief Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, who favours dialogue with the NLD, was reportedly not available for a scheduled meeting with the EU diplomats on Thursday.

Khin Nyunt is thought to be opposed by army chief General Maung Aye, whose supporters are against making any concessions to Aung San Suu Kyi. She has been confined by the authorities to her Rangoon home since September 2000.

Burma analyst Larry Jagan says Khin Nyunt and Maung Aye, along with head of state General Than Shwe make up a political triumvirate that wields complete power in Burma.

The government has been in closed-door reconciliation talks with Aung San Suu Kyi since October 2000, and both sides have indicated they do not expect the alleged coup plot to derail their dialogue.

Coup arrests

The government said the alleged coup plot was masterminded by Ne Win's son-in-law Aye Zaw Win and three of Aye Zaw Win's sons.

They were arrested last Thursday at a Chinese restaurant where they were said to have been meeting an unnamed military commander.

Ne Win - now in his 90s - seized control of Burma in 1962 and continued to wield influence after he stepped down in 1988.