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Junta Chiefs Resign in Military Reshuffle
 

Burma’s Snr-Gen Than Shwe, left, walks with Vice Snr-Gen Maung Aye at a ceremonial dinner to mark the country’s Armed Forces Day in Naypyidaw in 2007. (Photo: AFP)

In a surprise move, Burmese junta chief Snr-Gen Than Shwe and his deputy, Vice Snr-Gen Maung Aye, reportedly resigned from their military posts in late August, along with six other top military officers. Than Shwe, 77, will continue to head the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) after reportedly handing over his position as commander in chief of the Burmese armed forces to Lt-Gen Myint Aung, the army’s adjutant general. It is widely believed that he is now replacing all the top positions in the SPDC with his most trusted officers. Analysts say he will likely remain head of state until he can assume the office of president sometime next year. The reshuffle was seen as a step toward forming an interim government ahead of this year’s election, which the regime announced will be held on Nov. 7.

Thai PM: Extradition of Bout can’t be rushed

Alleged arms dealer Viktor Bout is escorted by security guards following his trial at the Criminal Court in Bangkok on Aug. 11. (Photo: AFP)

Thailand’s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva delivered a message to Washington that the extradition of suspected Russian arms smuggler Viktor Bout cannot be rushed and will only happen after the necessary legal steps are completed. Bout, a 43-year-old former Soviet air force officer, is reputed to be one of the world’s most prolific arms dealers. He is known as “The Merchant of Death” and was an inspiration for the arms dealer played by Nicolas Cage in the 2005 film, “Lord of War.” A Thai appeals court has ordered Bout’s extradition within three months to face four terrorism-related charges in the US. American authorities, who are trying to speed the legal process, want him turned over quickly, but a legal bottleneck appears to have stalled the process.

Suu Kyi Urges Supporters to Monitor Election Closely

In a message transmitted by her lawyer, Burma’s detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi said that although the National League for Democracy (NLD) will boycott the upcoming election, NLD members should monitor it closely and watch for voting irregularities. Suu Kyi, whose current sentence is due to expire a week after the Nov. 7 polling day, said the election is unlikely to be free and fair because political parties will not have enough time to campaign.

Visa Restrictions Tightened Ahead of Election

Foreigners will have a harder time entering or remaining in Burma after the country’s military rulers moved to tighten immigration rules in the lead-up to the election on Nov. 7. The regime announced that it was suspending tourist visas on arrival from Sept. 1, just months after the new system was introduced. Earlier, the junta stopped expediting visas for foreign relief workers in the Irrawaddy delta, saying that “the recovery period is now over” in the cyclone-stricken region. Meanwhile, in an update of its travel advisory for Burma, the US State Department said that the regime had warned that it will detain, and not just deport, foreigners arrested for engaging in political activities.

Burmese Working on Moei River Embankment

Four leading construction companies in Burma have won contracts for work on the Moei River embankment on the Burmese side. The river marks the border between Thailand and Burma. The embankment project, which is 3,300-feet long, is divided into four parts and is expected to be complete within one month. Myawaddy Township has 15,300 feet of river front embankment and the Burmese government has completed work on 7,765 feet.