Two Names Tipped for Burma’s post-2010 Presidency

By WAI MOE

Burma’s ruling generals favor one of two candidates—a Than Shwe protégé and a hardline government minister—for the post of president after the 2010 election, according to intelligence sources.

A source within the government-backed Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) said members of the mass organization were discussing the chances of Lt-Gen Myint Swe, a protégé of Snr-Gen Than Shwe and his wife, and Minister of Industry-1 Aung Thaung.

“Aung Thaung is a strategic and influential player of the USDA, while Myint Swe is a favorite of the junta’s head, Snr-Gen Than Shwe,” the source said. They both had the potential to take on the task of president, he said.

Under the junta backed constitution, the president of Burma will be chosen by the parliament, a quarter of whose members will be appointed by the commander-in-chief of the Tatmadaw (Burma’s armed forces) while the rest will be elected in the 2010 election.

The junta says the constitution was approved overwhelmingly in the referendum in May, although the claim is disputed by opposition forces within Burma and Western governments.

A Rangoon woman journalist said the names of Myint Swe and Aung Thaung also cropped up in teashop political discussion.

Myint Swe rose within the Tatmadaw to become commander of the Rangoon Regional Command in 2002, with the rank of major general.

Aung Thaung has been accused by Burmese dissident groups of being one of the masterminds behind the 2003 ambush of a convoy carrying democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Depayin, Sagaing Division in northern Burma. Human rights groups estimate that about 100 Suu Kyi supporters were killed by pro-government thugs.

Aung Thaung is also said to be one of the richest persons in Burma. His family runs at least three companies—Aung Yee Phyo Co, IGE Co Ltd and Queen Star Co— which are gaining footholds in oil, gas, agricultural products, timber and rice trading industries and the importation of computers and other electronic goods.

Meanwhile, a Rangoon researcher familiar with military affairs said Than Shwe, 75, is not ready to retire before the 2010 election and seems intent on maintaining his iron grip on the Tatmadaw.

The researcher said the two other members of the ruling junta, Vice Snr-Gen Maung Aye and Gen Shwe Mann, were also likely to remain at their posts if Than Shwe stayed in power.