Burma

As Head of New Military Council, Than Shwe to Reign Supreme

By THE IRRAWADDY Thursday, March 17, 2011

Than Shwe will retain his power over the Tatmadaw, or armed forces, and Burma's national politics. (Photo: Getty Images)

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Snr-Gen Than Shwe will remain the most powerful man in Burma even after he hands over his position of commander-in-chief of the armed forces to his successor, thanks to the creation of a new military council that is in effect the latest incarnation of the junta that has ruled the country for the past two decades.

According to military sources in the regime's capital of Naypyidaw, as head of the new State Supreme Council (SSC), Than Shwe will retain his power over the Tatmadaw, or armed forces, and Burma's national politics.

The sources said that although Gen Min Aung Hlaing will become the new Tatmadaw commander-in-chief, he will only be allowed to supervise and manage military affairs in accord with the will of the SSC, with all important decisions being made by Than Shwe.

“Important matters such as promotions in the army, arms purchases, nuclear plans and many other defense-related issues will be directly taken care of by Snr-Gen Than Shwe. Gen Min Aung Hlaing, as the commander-in-chief, will only have symbolic jobs, such as giving speeches at the graduation ceremonies of the Defense Services Academy and military parades. He has to follow direct instructions from Than Shwe at all times,” said a senior officer in Naypyidaw, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The source added that although the junta chief will step down as commander-in-chief, he will not resign from the army and will keep his current rank so that he can lead the SSC. Vice Snr-Gen Maung Aye, the regime's second-in-command, will also be part of the SSC with his current rank, he said.

In the meantime, Min Aung Hlaing has reportedly already assumed some duties as commander-in-chief, and has also become a member of the SSC.

The senior officer also said that Burma's president-elect, former general Thein Sein, who will also serve as the chairman of the National Defense and Security Council, will have to submit monthly reports on administrative, security and economic affairs to Than Shwe after his government is inaugurated.

“Than Shwe has shared his authority with many different people, but he controls them all from the top. Neither the president nor the commander-in-chief can do anything without his approval. Everything will be under his control,” said the senior officer.

The SSC is not an authorized body under the Constitution, which was adopted after a rigged referendum in May 2008.

Military sources also said that Than Shwe plans to reform the country's intelligence units by appointing someone to lead it and putting it under th control of the SSC.

The sources also said that henceforth, no one in the armed forces will ever be given a rank higher than general, with just Than Swe and Maung Aye occupying the position of senior general.

COMMENTS (17)

Maung Oo Wrote:

21/03/2011

Burma situation are very different to other countries. Burma military and Democracy groups need to be respect and recognize and try for country future.

Terry Evans Wrote:

20/03/2011

This man thinks that small acts of goodness are of no benefit, and does not do them; and that small deeds of evil do no harm, and does not refrain from them. Hence, his wickedness becomes so great that it cannot be concealed, and his guilt so great that it cannot be pardoned.

Tun Yin Maung Wrote:

20/03/2011

Why doesn't anyone think about entering Than Shwe's name in the Guinness book as the scum of the earth? At least, giving him such status will help the Burmese people feel that their sufferings are not totally neglected.My God, what sins have our Burmese people committed in previous lives to have to undergo such atrocities at the hands of those bloodthirsty brainless soldiers!

Denys Goldthorpe Wrote:

20/03/2011

Spectacular allies have finally hit Libya, now why don’t they do this for Burma, I suppose if western intelligence finds daffy duck...whoops I mean Gaddafi is involved in Thitsaphout Than Shwe’s regime they’ll do something then.

Than Shwe has been committing human rights abuses for years and the UN knows about it and won’t do anything whilst China and Russia use their Veto powers in the Security Council, how many more Burmese people must be butchered to death by this illegal regime in Burma? How many more people must suffer in refugee camps whilst the Un and participating allies play silly games with this murdering regime.

luusoelay Wrote:

20/03/2011

Than Shwe should take note to this. Libya's air plane got shot down. How mighty his air power is?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNCTJ9EBAHc

\\:^=)

PISI Wrote:

19/03/2011

The Hell Hound still at large! How long to be continued?

Shwe Yoe Wrote:

18/03/2011

I will stop dancing "Oo ta lone neh shwe yoe". Because Than Shwe is now "Oo Shwe Yoe". He is so funny because he is acting like Shwe Yoe acting and thinking so crazy.

Garrett Wrote:

18/03/2011

"Meet the new boss, Same as the old boss"

Seems to me that everyone who played the SPDC election lottery left the regime casino with their pockets turned out, just as I predicted they would.

Things are now even worse than before because all of these daily revelations of post-election horror are by virtue of the majority-elected Burmese Democratic government.

I can't wait to see how the anti-sanctions lobby turns this sow's ear into a silk purse.

And we can expect Myanmar Patriots aka HRH Prince Shwebomin, aka HM King Shwebomin II, aka Fook-Kaung to be congratulating his hero Senior General Than Shwe on his promotion from commander-in-chief to CHIEF-commander-in-chief/Buddha incarnate/Emperor for life.

It is fitting that those who think they have the most to gain with Than Shwe in power, are actually the one's who will have the most to lose when everything they have is someday handed-over to a regime crony.

The looks on their faces when they find out will be...priceless

Chin Lay Wrote:

18/03/2011

Supremo Than Shwe, is this government called disciplined democracy government? Your view on democracy is not different from Kim Jong Il's government of N Korea. Shame on you.

Pauk-ga-yah Than Shwe Wrote:

18/03/2011

What kind of democratic government did Than Shwe form? As long as he makes himself supreme leader, so-called representatives are made idiots. This kind of government is not called democratic government.

kerry Wrote:

18/03/2011

I am only surprised that the illegitimate pretenders standing in China's shadow have not just called themselves 'God'.

dogHater Wrote:

18/03/2011

A dog is a dog, and always be a dog

Mualcin Wrote:

18/03/2011

Burma's newly formed government becomes an idiot under Than Shwe's reign. It is always a joke whatever Than Shwe is trying to do for his own benefit.

KKK Wrote:

18/03/2011

The monkey in Naypyidaw?

George Than Setkyar Heine Wrote:

18/03/2011

And Than Shwe has finally revealed his true self - PREDATOR - with FANGS of course.
Heading the State Supreme Council (SSC) he would run wild in Burma again and until eternity.

SSC was never cited in the Constitution.
Hence, it certainly is extra-constitutional of course.

Then why the hell the elections were held on Nov. 7, 2010, duds were 'selected' to sit in the puppet parliament on Jan. 31, 2011 and the constitution enshrined as well?
And the communist hyenas in Beijing and others of their ilk had congratulated and recognized Than Shwe led coyotes in Naypyidaw already,right?

Of course, EU, UK, UN, US and so-called civilized societies on this planet are also waiting in line to cheer the COYOTES at Naypyidaw on their debut in a few days no doubt.

A TSUNAMI and several nuclear disasters have struck Japan recently.

Hence, it is best to stow away on the next available space shuttle to wherever, away from this planet earth and beyond even, before DOOM'S DAY comes for all and the better.

Kyaw Wrote:

18/03/2011

For How Long???
Ha Ha Ha

Moe Aung Wrote:

18/03/2011

There is bound to be some kind of a throne for TS with autocratic powers over and above parliament. Big surprise. One area where they remain completely and utterly predictable - a dead hand grip on power.

They don't care if it looks anomalous or contradictory even to their own version of self- proclaimed 'democracy', witness their election laws. It's their take on it, and only People Power will put an end to this farcical come-tragedy.