In informal meetings, they said that what was intended was “new system, old people.” There would be a genuinely new set-up but, for the first five years, perhaps ten, ex-military men would dominate institutions, to break them in. They wanted to make sure reform didn’t lead to revolt, to protect their families and safeguard their wealth. Not all generals were corrupt, but many had family members who had profited from their positions. Perhaps more than anything, they seemed to want their legacy respected. But beyond that, they were open to ideas.
