Yangon - Senior General Than Shwe, the head of Myanmar's ruling junta, departed Yangon for Singapore to receive treatment for an intestinal tumour, well-placed sources and media reports said Monday.
Than Shwe, 73 - who has led Myanmar's junta, the self-styled State Peace and Democracy Council, for the past 18 years - left Myanmar Sunday on a special flight arranged by businessman Tayza, according to the Myanmar-based Mizzima News agency.
A high-ranking government source said Than Shwe, ailing for the past year, was suffering from a tumour in his intestines.
His sickness could accelerate a power shift in Myanmar's military hierarchy with many speculating that Than Shwe might be replaced by General Shwe Mann, deemed his chosen successor.
General Maung Aye, the second highest ranking general in Myanmar, is said to lack political support in his bid to lead the junta.
Myanmar has been under military rule since 1962 when former strongman General Ne Win overthrew the elected government of Prime Minister U Nu and launched the country along its disastrous 'Burmese Way to Socialism.'
Ne Win resigned all political post in 1988 amid nationwide anti-military protests and passed power to a younger crop of military men who have lorded over the country for the past two decades.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur
2 comments:
Here's some slogans for Singapore.
SINGAPORE - THE DICTATOR'S PARADISE
Or
SINGAPORE - MONEY LAUNDERING WITH CONFIDENCE AND PEACE OF MIND.
Where would the dictators and money launderers of the world be without the IMF and World Bank, who gave the missing 4 million smiling Singaporeans its "blessing" thru a very weak protest at the city state's curtailment of freedoms.
Oh what? Did you say the IMF and World Bank have policies against money laundering?
Fancy that.
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