Afp, Chiang Mai : As Myanmar gears up for rare elections due next year, eyes are turning to the fate of the country's ageing military strongman, Than Shwe, and a possible succession, exiled activists say.
Described by critics as reclusive, paranoid and deeply in thrall to astrology, the 76-year-old "Senior General" has ruled the country with an iron grip since 1992, but is now in the twilight of his career.
A new constitution approved in a widely criticised 2008 referendum says that the State Peace and Development Council -- the junta that Than Shwe heads -- must hand over power to a new national assembly after the elections.
Than Shwe may take over the new presidential position provided for by the constitution to maintain his hold on power, according to opposition activists living in exile in Thailand.
But after constantly striving to increase his power, he now faces underlying resentment from within the regime, the activists say.
When he eventually quits, "Than Shwe will make sure his future is safe," said Naing Aung, secretary general of the Forum for Democracy in Burma.
She added, however: "Than Shwe has only close circles with him. He is an isolated man."
Aung Naing Oo, a Myanmar political analyst in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai, predicted it would be "interesting to see how he leaves politics because he cannot leave right away".
Source : http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=117636
Described by critics as reclusive, paranoid and deeply in thrall to astrology, the 76-year-old "Senior General" has ruled the country with an iron grip since 1992, but is now in the twilight of his career.
A new constitution approved in a widely criticised 2008 referendum says that the State Peace and Development Council -- the junta that Than Shwe heads -- must hand over power to a new national assembly after the elections.
Than Shwe may take over the new presidential position provided for by the constitution to maintain his hold on power, according to opposition activists living in exile in Thailand.
But after constantly striving to increase his power, he now faces underlying resentment from within the regime, the activists say.
When he eventually quits, "Than Shwe will make sure his future is safe," said Naing Aung, secretary general of the Forum for Democracy in Burma.
She added, however: "Than Shwe has only close circles with him. He is an isolated man."
Aung Naing Oo, a Myanmar political analyst in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai, predicted it would be "interesting to see how he leaves politics because he cannot leave right away".
Source : http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=117636
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