Than Shwe Watch
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Than Shwe Watch


By THE IRRAWADDY Tuesday, March 10, 2009


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(Page 7 of 11)

The invitation was relayed by Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo when he visited Burma in August.

November 12, 2006
In an elaborate ceremony at a Buddhist temple overlooking his new capital, Naypyidaw, Than Shwe attends the inauguration of work on a replica of the country’s most revered Shwedagon pagoda. The auspicious number nine figures large in the ritual followed by Than Shwe and his retinue—a gong is struck nine times, after which Than Shwe, accompanied by his wife, drives the last of nine stakes into the ground where the new pagoda, called Uppatasanti, will be built. Then he sprinkles scented water in the center of the site, while eight military leaders take up positions at eight corners of the site and the bejeweled stakes are struck nine times with golden maces and anointed with scented water.

November 11, 2006
Than Shwe meets with UN top diplomat Ibrahim Gambari in Naypyidaw, during the envoy’s four-day visit to assess political developments in Burma. Gambari describes the meeting as a “frank and extensive dialogue” and is pleased “at the willingness of the leadership to continue to engage with the United Nations in this way.”

November 03, 2006
Video footage of the July wedding of Snr-Gen Than Shwe’s youngest daughter Thandar Shwe was leaked to the press and sparked outrage within Burma and outside the country because of the opulence of the ceremony and festivities in Rangoon and Naypyidaw. Britain’s BBC and the US TV station CNN were among the broadcasters which carried video scenes. Many viewers contrasted the ostentation of the occasion with the grim reality of life under Than Shwe’s regime.

October 24, 2006
Burma’s junta leader, Snr-Gen Than Shwe met the chief of general staff of the Chinese army, Gen Liang Guanglie, on Sunday during a goodwill visit to the country, state-run media reported. The meeting took place in the new administrative capital Naypyidaw, but no other details were given about the talks. Burma is the third of four countries on the itinerary of Guanglie, a member of China’s Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China. The tour also includes Cambodia, Laos and Thailand.

China is the most important ally of Burma’s ruling junta, providing vital economic, military and other assistance, while western nations shun the military-ruled country because of its poor human rights record and failure to restore democracy. According to China’s official Xinhua news agency, Than Shwe said that China is a friendly nation that deserves trust. “For the past many years whenever Myanmar [Burma] met with difficulties, the Chinese friend had always shared true and sincere understanding and offered assistance,” the report said.

August 08, 2006
Snr-Gen Than Shwe marks the 39th anniversary of the founding of Asean with a statement in which he calls on the bloc to abide by its principles in “facing the challenge of Asean being a credible organization.” Than Shwe recalls the group’s achievements, which he says are due to “consensus building, positive thinking [and] avoiding interference in other countries’ internal affairs.”

He welcomes the adoption of the Asean Charter, expected in 2007. The legally binding charter is expected to include detailed references to democracy and human rights, and may also drop the clause relating to non-interference in other member countries’ affairs.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi sets a different tone in a speech marking the anniversary of Asean. He says that the Burma issue has led to much
debate about the non-interference policy, which was due for an overhaul. Meanwhile, at Naypyidaw, Than Shwe holds talks with visiting Thai Supreme Commander Gen Ruengroj Mahasaranond of the Royal Thai Armed Forces.

August 02, 2006
Snr-Gen Than Shwe meets Thai caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in Burma’s new capital Naypyidaw this afternoon. Thaksin makes the surprise half-day visit with a high-level delegation that includes Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon, Agriculture Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat, and army chief, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin.

Thaksin tells reporters after the unusual meeting with Than Shwe: “We covered everything from social issues, economic and politics and bilateral and multilateral issues. I can’t go into details.” Thai media reports that the meeting also focuses on issues of Burmese migrant workers and cross-border drug trafficking, while critics say the trip has more to do with Thaksin’s personal business concerns.

Thai Foreign Minister Kantathi, who met his Burmese counterpart Nyan Win, says the regime is thinking about freeing Aung San Suu Kyi but has not set any time frame for her release.



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