Will he continue on as commaner-in-chief of the military, resign and wield power from behind the scenes, or truly retire and relinquish the power he has held for the past 19 years?
Maybe he will disappear completely, becoming a monk and spending his remaining years in mediatation in a belated attempt to atone for his multitude of sins!
Fat chance. Than Shwe has studied and learned a lot from the experiences of Indonesia's Suharto and South Korea's Chun Doo Hwan, both of whom faced charges after stepping down. He also knows full well what happened to Burma's very powerful and charismatic dictator Ne Win, who by Than Shwe's own hand counted down the days to his death while under house arrest.
Than Shwe will never put himself in a position to endure such a fate. He created Burma's entire current political structure from scratch, beginning with the National Convention, moving on to the Cyclone Nargis referendum, then forward to the rigged election and finally to the foregone conclusion of who will sit in the most powerful positions in the new government. And Than Shwe created it all for one purpose: to remain in power.
So what can we expect from Burma's new parliaments, president, vice-presidents and the rest of the government created by Than Shwe? Unfortunately, you know the answer: We will see the same old, same old in Burma.
Tom Tun wrote: "Please read "It is politic, Stupid". May be the way I see things are different than you see it. I believe "Human Rights" are not given by government, but just need to be born as Human."
I read the piece you mentioned and was actually bothered by the flawed thinking in it. But that's another story.
With regards to human rights: the UN charter states that human rights are universal but in practice there are many malicious governments - like the Burmese regime - who effectively have stripped their peoples of human rights.
The question is: what are you gonna do about it? It's clear what you want, but like most Burmese activists you offer no solutions nor any realism... Come on, you can do better!
Tom Tun Wrote:
10/02/2011
Adam Selene,
Please read "It is politic, Stupid". May be the way I see things are different than you see it. I believe "Human Rights" are not given by government, but just need to be born as Human. I am preaching for open and transparent society, so I don't need hidden card. Burma must change and time is now. Alot of people around the world think some society do not deserve to have freedom and Democracy and should go on under opression of dictatorial politic. It is just an insult to me as my core value is equality and freedom. Civil disobedience is and may be moral weapon to fight injustice, but brutal opressive regime deserve violance. It is justifiable to give them back what they do to the people. Do not think it is impossible. Time will tell that time of tyranny is over.
Adam Selene Wrote:
08/02/2011
Tom Tun said: "If there is only labour rights selectively, how can society be balance? What we want is open, free and transparent society. Nothing less."
Easy to say, but what is your plan? I was just pointing out that progress is small but that there are some tiny highlights. I think a constitution is better than no constitution and I think labour union organization is better than no civil society at all.
You seem to want it all at once. I can understand. But the junta didn't give it to you for 23 years since 88. And they still are in full control.
How about considering this a small step towards the end goal and making the best of it, instead of doing nothing because you are not satisfied?
If you want the army to keep considering you its enemy then this is the right way to do it. The opposition scared them, that's one of the reasons why they are totally unwilling to give up control. You should've kept your cards closer to your chest and use more honey.
Wallace Hla Wrote:
06/02/2011
Now that the supreme monarch A-Laung-Gyi Than Shwe has decreed, Thein Sein, Tin Aung Myint Oo and Sai Mouk Kham to hold the roles of top jesters of the court, aside from continuing to plunder the country, one wonders what kind of different pantomimes they have in mind to entertain and please the likes of Suphaya-Kyaing, the crown prince and princesses designates of this evil dynasty..??
name me please,
Wallace Hla
DetDoe Wrote:
05/02/2011
What is very amusing to you, stupid Myanmar Idiot?
So far countless ordinary (innocent) Burmese citizens, monks and nuns were dead and injured in the hand of Than Shwe, who you considered a great Myanmar Patriots. If I remember correctly of your previous posts, your Shwe Bo Ming(tha)II fully approves of his (Than Shwe's) actions and misdeeds.
Why are you so jealous of DASSK? We love her and we would like her to be our leader.
Tom Tun Wrote:
05/02/2011
Adam Selene,
Why are you so hard to understand? The constitution is just to waste time. If you still don't get it, I will spell it out for you. Burma is not asking worker rights although it is just a tiny part of it. Industrial revolution and labour rights is old history. We are not that stupid to accept and swallow what ever regime shove it down into our throat. Society is built with, intelectual, white collar and blue collar labours, self employer, students, soldiers, lawers, stay home mothers, old age retire, farmers and countless alot other profession. If there is only labour rights selectively, how can society be balance? What we want is open, free and transparent society. Nothing less. What we have now is nothing important, even to have conversation. Another thing, are you willing to discuss about what have Labour Union in west countries becomming of and why large coporation such as GM is in red ink?
Wallace Hla Wrote:
05/02/2011
Is there no self-respect, no ethics, no integrity, no shame nor remorse left in these self-appointed rulers of the country? God help Burma and all their people regardless of what ethnic group they belong to.
name me,
Wallace Hla
Myanmar Patriots Wrote:
03/02/2011
Tin Htet Sein Wrote:
02/02/2011
"It's no longer same old same old in Egypt now. The people are asking for Mubarak to step down right now and I think they are going to win. Irrawaddy and all the exiled media should take this great opportunity to broadcast this indormation to the people of Burma that a dictator is just about to bite the dust because of the people power."
HOW VERY AMUSING. A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS DANGEROUS.
So far 300 dead and 800 injured. Events are unfolding.
Now is the "game of chicken2. Look it us,boy, for definition wikipedia. Whilst at it also look up 'raison d'etet'.
Why not aks SuuKyi to go to Egypt.Burmese govt must allolw her to go there since since supports the protesters; a great PR opportunity for her. Go woman, go!
tocharian Wrote:
03/02/2011
I agree with Tin Htet Sein.
There was nothing reported in the official junta newspapers about what's happening in Egypt. China is also trying to block inquiries about Egypt on its Internet. "Irrawaddy" should be different. It should supply this information to the Burmese, especially since ASSK already publicly (in a BBC interview, I believe) supported the anti-Mubarak demonstrators. If Irrawaddy says Burma is "same old, same old" then Irrawaddy is also same old same old. Boring!
U HLAWIN Wrote:
03/02/2011
1. Everyone including the ethnic groups knows that the sham elections and the kangaroo court so called Myanmar parliament hold no water for the prosperity of Burma other than to prolong the dynasty of the mad-man Than Shwe who has hurt the nation so much for so long. The need for “dialogue” with all the stakeholders has never been mentioned by the regime knowing that it is the only way forward for the democratization of Burma. The regime well understood that through the talks the people could hope to accomplish national reconciliation and the removal of the military dictatorship and Than Shwe dynasty forever. That is the reason the political prisoners are kept in the jails and Daw Suu and NLD are denied in its political picture. Creating tremendous “fear” among the public is a part of its plan. Thus the regime is in denial of the inevitability of “change”. And, that is what is going to happen in Burma in the very near future somehow.
Nyi Nyi Wrote:
03/02/2011
Did anyone seriouly expect the new govenment to be different? There was no sign of this happening all along well before the election. Also, why would Than Shwe like to become a president if he can stay as a chief of staff in the army effectively controlling the president.
Adam Selene Wrote:
02/02/2011
The author is right in saying that the whole process has been a dissillusionment. Change is minimal, but there is some change, though. The NDF is in parliament, albeit with only 16 mp's. And the constitution has been ratified now. I prefer the rule of law to ruling by decree. And this constitution grants labour freedom, which is a step forward.
Most opposition politicians expected little this time around, they think they will have a better change in 5 years time, when they will have had time to prepare.
Another big thing is that this sham democracy will prove to be enough for many countries and companies to invest in Burma. The country awaits an economic boom. Much of this wealth will end up in the pocket of the new moguls and the military elite, but undeniable economic growth will lead to news jobs and raising of the living standards of ordinary Burmese.
I can understand Kyaw Zwa Moe is dissapointed. I am too. But its certainly not business as usual.
Tin Htet Sein Wrote:
02/02/2011
It's no longer same old same old in Egypt now. The people are asking for Mubarak to step down right now and I think they are going to win. Irrawaddy and all the exiled media should take this great opportunity to broadcast this indormation to the people of Burma that a dictator is just about to bite the dust because of the people power.
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