Three such friends, Lt-Gen Maung Bo, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and Industry Minister Aung Thaung are, according to western diplomats, notoriously corrupt, and unusually wealthy despite their relatively modest army salaries. But Than Shwe has ignored the reports, perhaps considering personal loyalty more important.
Than Shwe was also agriculture minister under SLORC, and this is where he developed a fascination for building dams. In Kyaukse, his birthplace, he has built schools, hospitals, factories, a university and an international airport.
The general is untutored in international affairs, and his understanding of diplomacy has been questionable. But so far he has managed to keep good relations with neighboring countries. He officially sticks to a “neutral” foreign policy, but under his rule Burma is regarded as becoming more of a stooge of China. The neighboring power has remained one of the few countries supplying the junta with arms, diplomatic support and aid.
Than Shwe also plays the India card. The junta now receives loans from both rival neighboring powers. New Delhi initially supported Suu Kyi and the Burmese democracy movement for some years. But it has now noticeably toned this down. Insiders say Than Shwe plays China and India off against each other to secure loans and assistance, including for his birthplace Kyaukse.
For trade and strategic reasons, the two giants have an interest in keeping Burma’s military leadership intact. But China clearly wants to retain its Big Brother status with Burma.
A few days after he sacked prime minister and military intelligence chief Gen Khin Nyunt last October, Than Shwe went to India. New Delhi rolled out the red carpet for him. While India undoubtedly wants to keep Burma out of China’s orbit, the Chinese are stepping up their efforts to gain access to the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea via Burma.
Analysts noted Beijing was concerned about the removal of Khin Nyunt, widely seen as pro-China. At the same time, Than Shwe has no wish to upset the Chinese leadership, Burma’s main ally and benefactor. Gen Shwe Mann, a leading junta figure, was dispatched on an unannounced visit to Beijing the following month. Prime Minister Soe Win also made several trips to China during the year.
Than Shwe’s last visit to Beijing was in 2003. He secured new loans and generally bolstered bilateral relations. After his trip, his stance toward Suu Kyi noticeably hardened, analysts noted.
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