[Myanmar] Than Shwe Sings Praises of Aung San

Former junta chief Than Shwe prays at a Buddhist temple with his wife, Kyaing Kyaing. (PHOTO: Irrawaddy)

Burma’s former dictator Snr-Gen Than Shwe still holds a high respect for Gen. Aung San, the country’s independence architect and father of pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, according to Khin Aung Myint, the current speaker of the Upper House.

In a recent interview with The Irrawaddy, Khin Aung Myint said Than Shwe regularly praised Aung San, noting in particular that he only owned three uniforms even though he was the leader of the country. Than Shwe also respected all the work Aung San had done for the country within his short life, the parliamentarian said.

“I can assure you that when I used to speak to Snr-Gen Than Shwe about work, he would frequently say that Gen. Aung San was the Burmese person he respected the most, and that there was no way we could find another such inspirational leader,†recalled Khin Aung Myint.

When asked about the level of respect members of today’s military held toward Burma’s independence hero, the Upper House speaker said he could not fathom a guess because he had been outside military service for six years.

In March 2011, Than Shwe resigned from his official position as commander-in-chief of the Burmese armed forces; however, many critics say they believe he still wields influence on the current quasi-civilian government and the military.

View the full article