Promotions Seen as Part of 2010 Election Plan

By MIN LWIN

Burma’s military government, the State Peace and Development Council, has promoted a number of senior officers and created new positions in what observers see as part of preparations for the political structure that will follow the 2010 general election.

Among those promoted is Maj-Gen Maung Shein, former commander of the Western Regional Military Command, who was appointed chief of the newly created Defense Services Inspection and Auditor (Army, Navy and Air).

Bureau of Special Operations (BSO) commanders Khin Zaw and Thar Aye and Adjutant-General Thura Myint Aung were promoted to Lt-Generals, according to military sources.

Five BSOs, four of which were established in November 2001, run all Burma’s regional commands throughout Burma. The creation of a BSO command center created much confusion in the military’s command system and structure.

Unconfirmed reports suggested that BSO 5, created in 2006, retains Snr-Gen Than Shwe’s loyal officer Lt-Gen Myint Swe as commander. Myint Swe previously oversaw the Rangoon division.

According to exiled dissidents and military observers who have close connection with Burma’s armed forces, at least three major generals were promoted to three-star lieutenant generals.

Meanwhile, at a graduation parade in Maymyo, Mandalay Division, Than Shwe urged officers to learn four “outlooks”—military, political, economic and administrative. The junta leader was addressing the graduation parade of the 51 intake of the Defense Services Academy on December 12.

“We will continue to implement the fifth step [of the road map] which is the holding of general elections in 2010, and the transfer of state power will be carried out accordingly,” Than Shwe said.

Than Shwe and his deputy, Vice Snr-Gen Maung Aye, have served in the ruling junta since 1988, first in the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), and then in the State Peace and Development Council, which replaced SLORC in 1997.