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“I believe her release will facilitate national dialogue and allow the National League for Democracy to participate in that dialogue … it would be in the interest of Myanmar [Burma], the region and the world at large.” Wasted words—Than Shwe responded by extending Suu Kyi’s detention by another full year.

May 20, 2006
Apparently bowing to UN pressure, Snr-Gen Than Shwe unexpectedly makes a last-minute decision during talks with UN Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs, Ibrahim Gambari, to allow the Nigerian diplomat to meet opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The meeting occurs at the government’s guesthouse in Rangoon. Gambari met Than Shwe at the new administrative capital, Naypyidaw, near Pyinmana.

May 10
Rumors are circulating in Rangoon that the regime plans a reshuffle soon of the cabinet and regional military command. Sources said that a quarterly meeting is due soon between Snr-Gen Than Shwe, his top brass and regional commanders, at which a cabinet and military command shake-up could occur.

Than Shwe is back at his desk in the new administrative capital, Naypyidaw (Royal City), after a routine medical check-up at the army hospital in Rangoon. The elderly leader is believed to be suffering from hypertension and diabetes.

After the check-up, he returned to Naypyidaw with members of his family. He holds regular video conferences with subordinates from his office there, according to military sources.

May 08
Snr-Gen Than Shwe, who is also his country’s defense minister, will reportedly stay away from a meeting of Asean defense ministers in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital, this week. No official explanation has been given for his absence.

May 05
A wide-ranging smoking ban was signed into law by Snr-GenThan Shwe. The new law, which takes effect next year, bans smoking in public places and prohibits advertisements of tobacco products on television and other mass media. Offenders will face punishment ranging from a fine of 1000 kyat (less than US $1) to two years imprisonment.

May 02
In his Labor Day message, Burma’s Snr-Gen Than Shwe thanked his own ruling council for building industrial zones, modern factories and other industrial and commercial infrastructure.

He said: “Thanks to the correct leadership of the State Peace and Development Council, the entire nation has witnessed a great number of industrial zones, modern factories and plants, business and trade enterprises, services, and international level offices and departments. And national workers have an easy access to modern machinery and technologies, international office equipment and management methods.”

Than Shwe also praised his government’s effort to raise salaries for workers and creating rights and opportunities for the workers.

However, he warned that while workers and government staff are enjoying unprecedented rates of salaries and opportunities, certain “neo-colonialists” were manipulating international organizations under the pretext of protecting human rights and workers’ rights. They were leveling accusations at the nation and installing their lackeys in international organizations to harm the interests of Burma and its workers. April 22
Snr-Gen Than Shwe toured the future building sites of the Kyungon and Pyapon bridges in Burma’s Irrawaddy Division, and the Twantay Bridge in Rangoon Division.

According to state-run The New Light of Myanmar, Than Shwe met with members of Irrawaddy Division PDC, departmental officials and chairpersons of the districts and townships and USDA members at Thiri Annawa Hall in Pyapon.

During the meeting, he gave a speech on governmental transition in Burma, saying: “Democracy cannot be introduced through words. The introduction of democracy without discipline can incite mob rule and anarchy.”

April 18
During last week’s New Year water festival holidays in Burma, Snr-Gen Than Shwe and other senior military leaders went to western Arakan State, where he and his entourage opened Rangoon-Kyauk-phu highway in the town of Yanbye. 

The junta leader performed a ribbon-cutting ceremony and made marathon speeches, in which he mentioned the importance of national unity and the large sum of money his government was spending building roads and bridges in Arakan State. Than Shwe, his wife, Kyaing Kyaing, and family also held a merit making ceremony at a famous pagoda in Sittwe, to ward off misfortune, local sources said.

The state-owned press said that on April 13, Than Shwe and his family members visited Lawkananda pagoda in Sittwe, and made donations. However, local Arakanese believe that the highly-superstitiousThan Shwe and his family also held voodoo style ceremony at the pagoda.

April 12
Snr-Gen Than Shwe, who has recently been given the name “Bulldog” by several businessmen and critics, is said to be considering a trip to Ngapali or Ngwe Hsaung for this year’s Thingyan celebration.