Myanmar rulers ‘not ready to return to barracks’
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BANGKOK — It’s one of the world’s oldest dictatorships, run by an enigmatic postman-turned-soldier who, true to form, is keeping the world guessing about whether his iron-fisted rule is drawing to an end.
As Myanmar gears up for its first election in 20 years — a vote the generals say will mark the dawn of democracy after almost five decades of autocracy — junta chief Than Shwe’s intentions remain shrouded in mystery.
Speculation is rife that the ailing 77-year-old may step down from the position of commander-in-chief of Myanmar’s “Tatmadaw” armed forces and hand over power to a younger generation of trusted lieutenants.
Few, however, expect the military — or its “senior general” — to relinquish the real power any time soon.
“I don’t think he would be happy to retire,” says Aung Zaw, founder and editor of the Irrawaddy, a Thailand-based magazine run by Burmese exiles that is a vocal critic of the regime..... MORE
Source: The Daily Tribune
URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101103com2.html
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