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.
“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.
Thai troops wounded in clash with Cambodia
One Khmer soldier was killed during the clashes.
The Thai troops were suffered from sharpnels of explosives and were rushed to a hospital in Si Sa Kaet province.
They were injured in one of two clashes with Cambodia at Pa Mo I Daeng in Si Sa Ket province. Another clash Phu Ma Khur caused no casualty.They were first casualties of the Thai-Cambodia border conflicts which were flared up after Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen issued an ultimatum to open war if Thai troops were not withdrawn from the disputed area near the temple.
However his ultimatum was shot down as the Thai army vowed to remain troops.
The Thai troops were suffered from sharpnels of explosives and were rushed to a hospital in Si Sa Kaet province.
They were injured in one of two clashes with Cambodia at Pa Mo I Daeng in Si Sa Ket province. Another clash Phu Ma Khur caused no casualty.They were first casualties of the Thai-Cambodia border conflicts which were flared up after Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen issued an ultimatum to open war if Thai troops were not withdrawn from the disputed area near the temple.
However his ultimatum was shot down as the Thai army vowed to remain troops.
Cambodia’s Preah Vihear governor Prieb Tan claimed that Thailand started shooting at the Cambodian army first. Thai army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd, meanwhile, claimed that Cambodian soldiers started the shooting first by firing about seven to eight shots onto the Thai soil so Thai soldiers had to defend themselves by firing them back using small weapons.
According to Col Sansern, four Thai army rangers were wounded while one Cambodian soldier was killed in the incident.
On Tuesday, Col Sansern reiterated that Thailand would not shoot first, but warned that Thai troops were ready if Cambodian forces encroach into Thailand. The Thai army is ready to confront any incident to protect the country’s sovereignty, he said.
Meanwhile, Thailand put air force fighter jets and C-130 transport planes on alert. The C-130s have been used in a previous operation to bring Thais back home from Phnom Penh.
"Normally we have fighter jets on stand-by at various regional headquarters ready for operation within five minutes, but under the current circumstances we have increased our readiness," Grp Capt Montol Suchookorn was quoted by the AFP news agency.
"I do hope the use of force is the last resort," he added.
According to Col Sansern, four Thai army rangers were wounded while one Cambodian soldier was killed in the incident.
On Tuesday, Col Sansern reiterated that Thailand would not shoot first, but warned that Thai troops were ready if Cambodian forces encroach into Thailand. The Thai army is ready to confront any incident to protect the country’s sovereignty, he said.
Meanwhile, Thailand put air force fighter jets and C-130 transport planes on alert. The C-130s have been used in a previous operation to bring Thais back home from Phnom Penh.
"Normally we have fighter jets on stand-by at various regional headquarters ready for operation within five minutes, but under the current circumstances we have increased our readiness," Grp Capt Montol Suchookorn was quoted by the AFP news agency.
"I do hope the use of force is the last resort," he added.
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