News & Articles on Burma-Wednesday, 30 March, 2011

News & Articles on Burma
Wednesday, 30 March, 2011
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Q+A - Will Myanmar's new government bring any change?
Burma military rule ends, but retains grip
Secretive Myanmar replaces military junta with "civilian" government
Parliament takes control in Burma
Myanmar president known for 'total loyalty' to junta
Burma strongman back under new title
Burma military regime ‘dissolved’, Thein Sein regime takes the office
Burma's new government sworn in
President sworn in, junta dissolved
Junta army takes a beating, war goes on
General Min Aung Hlaing named as new c-in-c of defense services
Burma junta 'dissolved': state TV
Myanmar military announces end of junta after over two decades
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Q+A - Will Myanmar's new government bring any change?
By Martin Petty
BANGKOK | Wed Mar 30, 2011 3:17pm IST

(Reuters) - Myanmar inaugurated its first civilian government in nearly half a century on Wednesday, but with members of the old military regime still in prominent positions, the prospect of any big change remains slim.

The army junta made way for a new president to lead a government of 30 ministers, most of whom are retired or serving generals who were part of the old power clique that has ruled the former British colony with an iron fist.

Below are some questions and answers about what lies ahead for Myanmar, a resource-rich country nestled strategically between India, China and Thailand but held back by decades of trade sanctions and economic mismanagement.

WILL MUCH CHANGE IN MYANMAR?

With most of the same faces still holding the reins of power, reforms are unlikely in the near term, and especially while the junta's authoritarian, 78-year-old paramount leader, Senior General Than Shwe, is still alive.

The release from seven years of house arrest of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in November raised hopes of positive change ahead, but the regime has given no indication it will mend its ways or shift its stance on anything.

Dozens of laws have been passed in virtual secrecy and a huge, largely opaque, privatisation process went ahead in advance of the formation of parliament, laying the foundations for a new system that looks very much like the old one -- dominated by the generals and their business cronies.

Since the Nov. 7 election, the junta has continued to sideline and jail its opponents.

It has made no effort to reach out to the international community, hold a dialogue with Suu Kyi, seek reconciliation with armed ethnic groups, free an estimated 2,100 political prisoners or bring pro-democracy forces into the political fold.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THAN SHWE?

Myanmar's paramount leader has relinquished his political and military positions and is likely to retire, but he will continue to wield sizable influence and few will dare to challenge him. Than Shwe is believed to have monopolised all power since he took over in 1992 and it is unlikely his successors will dream of operating independently.

Than Shwe has placed loyalists in all the key positions in the executive, judiciary, legislature and armed forces. The power Than Shwe once held will now be shared between the president, the cabinet, parliament and the military, an effective slicing-up of responsibilities probably designed to prevent the emergence of another strongman, analysts say.

Than Shwe purged his predecessors and is known to be deeply unpopular, not just among the public but within the army itself. Analysts say he may have devised the new system to allow himself a gradual exit from the political scene.

IS THERE A CHANCE SANCTIONS WILL BE LIFTED?

Although it is widely accepted that Western sanctions have failed to hurt the regime, seving only to push the country closer to China and its Asian allies, there is no sign the embargoes will be lifted any time soon and the international community is largely sceptical about the new administration.

Western countries have indicated they will need to see concrete changes before lifting the embargoes. Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), recently recommended they remain in place although it has urged dialogue on the issue.

This stance has angered the generals, but experts say the NLD is probably using sanctions as a bargaining chip, as it tries to push ahead with its pro-democracy agenda at a time when it has no official role, having been banned by the authorities for refusing to take part in the general election.

The dissolution of the junta will be seen as a positive step by the international community, which may try to test the waters by seeking engagement with the new leadership. It remains to be seen if the former generals now in charge of the country will respond.

WILL ANYTHING POSITIVE COME OUT OF THIS?

Most experts say the new government will be much like the old one, especially while Than Shwe is alive, although some see this as a window of opportunity for change, albeit small.

One bright spot is the formation of 14 regional assemblies that are seen as a chance for Myanmar's many ethnic groups to have a say in local politics in a way that would not threaten the military's grip on central power.

Although the military retains a powerful role, its move away from direct control could provide room for outsiders and raise the chances of much-needed reforms.

Several of the new ministers are civilians with non-military backgrounds. An academic heads the education ministry and the rector of a medical institute is in charge of the health portfolio, suggesting there is scope for the involvement of technocrats in government.

Many experts say the onus for a shift in approach is as much on the international community as on the new government. They warn that if the West maintains its hardline stance towards Myanmar, it could squander a chance to bring about change for its impoverished people. That's why the lifting of sanctions, or at least a review, them, is seen as vital.

(Editing by Alan Raybould) http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/03/30/idINIndia-55987420110330?rpc=401&feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews&rpc=401
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BANGKOK POST
Burma military rule ends, but retains grip

Published: 30/03/2011 at 02:31 PM
Online news:

Burma's military handed power to a nominally civilian government after almost 50 years in power Wednesday, as the ruling junta was disbanded and a new president appointed.

Myanmar honour guards on parade in the capital Naypyidaw in February 2011. Myanmar's junta has been "officially dissolved", according to state media, after the country swore in a new president on Wednesday.

Burma state television reported the junta's State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) "has been officially dissolved", quoting an order signed by Senior General Than Shwe.

Than Shwe, who has ruled with an iron fist since 1992, was referred to only as "chairman of the SPDC" in the report and has apparently been replaced as army chief.

But despite the changes the military retains a firm grip on power in Burma, and many analysts believe Than Shwe will attempt to retain some sort of control behind the scenes.

The SPDC, previously known as the State Law and Order Restoration Council, or SLORC, seized power in 1988, but Burma has been under military authority since 1962.

The historic announcement of the nominal end of its rule came after an official said a new army chief attended the inauguration of Thein Sein -- a close ally of Than Shwe -- as president, apparently indicating the junta head had been replaced.

General Min Aung Hlaing was present at the swearing-in as Commander in Chief of the country's army, a post held by Than Shwe until now, according to the official.

"It's not clear yet whether he has officially taken up this position," the official said.

Prime Minister Thein Sein, who shed his army uniform to contest controversial elections last year, was formally sworn in as president, the official added.

He was named in February for the top job in the new parliament, where the military hierarchy retains a stranglehold on power.

"Altogether 58 new cabinet members including the president, two vice-presidents, officials and ministers were sworn in this morning at the Union Parliament" in Naypyidaw, the official added.

The apparent new army chief, 54-year-old Min Aung Hlaing, is part of a younger generation of Burma generals.

He was headmaster at the Defence Services Academy and a commander of the so-called golden triangle region, near the country's borders with Laos and Thailand.

Burma also replaced signs referring to its junta on Wednesday, officials said.

Ceremonies were held across the country as the names of government offices were changed to reflect the new political system, which came into effect after an election last November that critics say was a sham to entrench military power.

Across Burma, "Peace and Development Council" offices, echoing the name of outgoing State Peace and Development Council, were renamed "General Administrative Departments", officials said.

The signs are now a slightly lighter shade of green, similar to the colour used by Thein Sein's junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), which claimed an overwhelming majority in the poll.

The formation of a national assembly in Naypyidaw, convened for the first time at the end of January, takes the country towards the final stage of the junta's so-called "roadmap" to a "disciplined democracy".

A quarter of the parliamentary seats were kept aside for the military even before the country's first poll in 20 years, which was marred by the absence of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and claims of cheating and intimidation.

USDP lawmakers bagged 388 of the national legislature's 493 elected seats.

Suu Kyi has no voice in the new parliament. Her National League for Democracy (NLD) party was disbanded for opting to boycott the vote because the rules seemed designed to bar her from participating.

The election, and Suu Kyi's release from house arrest a few days later, have reignited a debate about economic sanctions enforced by the United States and European Union because of Burma's human rights abuses. http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/229488/burma-military-rule-ends-but-army-retains-grip
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Secretive Myanmar replaces military junta with "civilian" government

Secretive country's new government is dominated by appointees from the military regime.
News DeskMarch 30, 2011 07:27

A file picture taken on March 27, 2010 shows Thein Sein, left, sitting along with some of the country's senior leaders ahead of the Armed Forces Day parade in the capital Naypyidaw. (Christophe Archamboult/AFP/Getty Images)

The military junta that has controlled Myanmar for decades was disbanded on Wednesday after widely-criticized elections installed a civilian government featuring many of the same faces.

State media reported that Thein Sein, an ex-general and the junta's former prime minister, was sworn in as president in a ceremony held behind closed doors in the secretive country's remote capital, Naypyitaw.

Myanmar, also known as Burma, held its first elections in 20 years last November after committing to democratic reforms in the face of international pressure.

The vote, which was boycotted by Nobel-winning democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi, was marred by claims of cheating and voter intimidation.

Two new vice-presidents — Tin Aung Mying Oo and Sai Mauk Hkam — also took their oaths in Wednesday's ceremony, AFP said.

Min Aung Hlaing, was named as the new commander of Myanmar's armed forces, replacing Than Shwe, the strongman who has held sway over Myanmar for much of the military's half-decade rule over the country.

There was no mention of the 78-year-old at Wednesday's ceremony, but there were claims he would be remain a powerful figure behind the scenes.

Under the country's constitution, the new parliament must feature 100 military nominees. The Associated Press said the 30-member Cabinet is also dominated by former military officers, with only four fully civilian appointees.

Suu Kyi, who won elections in 1990 but was prevented from taking power and eventually placed under long-term house arrest, said she hoped her opposition National League for Democracy would have a better dialogue with the new leadership.

"We always want good relations with the government. I hope that the relationship improves," she said, according to AP. "We will work for good relations."

-- Barry Neild http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/110330/myanmar-burma-junta-election
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Parliament takes control in Burma
Published: March 30 2011 10:28 | Last updated: March 30 2011 10:28

Burma’s generals have handed over power to the new government elected in last November’s controversial ballot.

Thein Sein, a retired general who is also the outgoing prime minister, was formally sworn in as president at the new parliament on Wednesday morning.

Optimists hope that the handover to a nominally civilian administration could mark a new beginning for a country that has been under military rule for the past 49 years, but pessimists point out that the new administration is mostly made up of former generals and that Senior General Than Shwe, who has ruled the country since 1992 and is still controlling the transition, has installed allies in all the key posts of the new government.

“This is the moment that the hopeful people are looking to,” said Khin Omar, of the Network for Democracy and Development, an exile pressure group, but she has low expectations. “They are going to change some people but it is not going to make a change on the ground.”

Gen Than Shwe seems to have chosen Thein Sein for his personal loyalty and lack of any ambition to challenge his mentor. The new president, 65, became prime minister in 2007 and has a reputation for relative personal probity but he has a heart condition and at least one of his vice-presidents is known as a military hardliner.

The Union Solidarity and Development Party headed by Mr Thein Sein, won last November’s elections – which were widely believed to have been rigged – claiming 76 per cent of the seats in the two national houses of parliament.

The National League for Democracy, the party led by Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, opted not to participate on the grounds that the constitution rammed through by the generals in a discredited referendum in 2008 precluded a democratic outcome. The National Democratic Force, an NLD splinter group that did run and now forms the largest national opposition party in parliament, was allowed to win just 12 seats in the two federal houses.

The handover of power is a key part of the generals’ seven-step programme for “discipline-flourishing democracy”. The constitution reserves 25 per cent of the seats in the two national and 14 regional assemblies for serving military officers and gives the army chief wide latitude to suspend democratic institutions and reimpose military rule if he sees fit.

Even the optimists believe there is little hope of immediate change, but they say that friction between the different centres of power – the executive, the army, the new parliament and the USDP – could create some democratic space in the longer term.

Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2011. You may share using our article tools. Please don't cut articles from FT.com and redistribute by email or post to the web. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2bea1644-5a8f-11e0-8900-00144feab49a.html#axzz1I4oku5g8
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STRAITS TIMES: Mar 30, 2011
Myanmar president known for 'total loyalty' to junta
Thein Sein was sworn in as Myanmar's new president. -- PHOTO: AFP

BANGKOK - WITH a military career spanning almost 50 years and a reputation for absolute loyalty to Myanmar's junta strongman, Thein Sein was seen as an obvious choice to become the nation's new president.

Slender, balding and bespectacled, Mr Thein Sein, who was sworn in on Wednesday as part of a purported transition to a civilian rule, cuts a less domineering figure than the military's stouter senior general, Than Shwe.

The former general, who shed his uniform to contest the country's controversial November elections, is however someone strongman Than Shwe 'can trust, someone who will listen to him", Myanmar expert Aung Naing Oo said recently.

'It is not an accident that he came to power because he is considered 'Mr Clean',' said the expert, adding the 65-year-old was not linked to business groups or factions forming among lawmakers in Myanmar's new parliament.

Mr Thein Sein was described as working 'from the same script' as the junta number one in a 2009 US diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks recently.

He is also 'regarded as a 'mystery man'' who has 'risen quietly under the patronage of Than Shwe, to whom he has shown 'total loyalty',' according to Benedict Rogers in his biography of Myanmar's supreme leader. -- AFP http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_651096.html
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Burma strongman back under new title
ABC NEWS: 30 March, 2011:Last Updated: 5 hours 30 minutes ago

Burma's state television says the country's military regime has officially been dissolved.

But the country's long-time military strongman, Than Shwe, will continue to rule the country under a different official title.

Prime Minister Thein Sein has been sworn in as president.

He left the army for civilian life to take part in last year's controversial election.

A new commander in chief of the army has replaced Than Shwe.

Last year's election, the first in in 20 years, was marred by the absence of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party, and claims of cheating and voter intimidation. http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/201103/3178093.htm?desktop
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Burma military regime ‘dissolved’, Thein Sein regime takes the office
By Zin Linn Mar 30, 2011 4:18PM UTC

Government officials in Burma announced this morning that former retired general and Prime Minister Thein Sein, the head of the Union Solidarity and Development Party, has been publicly sworn in as the country’s new president, according to the Myanmar Radio an Television (MRTV).

State media also released a broadcast just after midday today saying that the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), which has ruled Burma in a variety of masks since 1988, has been dissolved at state and regional levels to pave way for new election winning party, the USDP, as the full transformation has been organized.

Quoting the television news of the state media, an order signed by Than Shwe has been come out and said “since the next cabinet was sworn in, the SPDC has been officially dissolved”.

The declaration came after an official said a new commander-in-chief of Burma army attended the inauguration of Thein Sein as president; it seems that the junta top job had been substituted. General Min Aung Hlaing was present at the swearing-in as Commander in Chief of the armed forces, the post seized by Than Shwe for more than two decades, according to an official.

Wunna Maung Lwin, Burma or Myanmar’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, has been appointed as Foreign Minister according to the official MRTV.

Myanmar (Burma) has been under the military rule since 1962 and again in 1988 when the army crushed a pro-democracy movement, killing over 3,000 citizens.

The junta, led by Than Shwe since 1992, held a general election on 7 November 2010 that voted in a new government, led by the pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party. But, the polls were accused as vote-rigging at numerous ballot-stations throughout the nation.

At least six parties have lodged complaints with the election commission, charging the USDP of fraud, an accusation that is doubtful to gain balance in a country where 2,200 political activists are behind bars without fair trials.

On 10 November 2010, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) denounces the current ASEAN Chair Vietnam’s statement that welcomes the election in Burma as “a significant step forward in the implementation of the 7-point Roadmap for Democracy”.

FORUM-ASIA said that the credibility of Burma’s election has long been lost even before it was held.

Then, FORUM-ASIA calls on the Chair of ASEAN to stand for the ASEAN Charter that specifies the adherence “to the principles of democracy, the rule of law and good governance, respect for and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms”. It also underlines that the statement of the Chair of ASEAN does not reflect the aspiration of the peoples in ASEAN.

Finally, FORUM-ASIA strongly urges the ASEAN to reject the sham election until a free and fair election is held in Burma.

The Human Rights violations are expected to continue since the outgoing Burmese military regime has guaranteed itself blanket immunity from prosecution and placed itself above the law through the 2008 constitution.

Since 1962, the military has violently seized power and has committed countless crimes: looting country’s natural resources by using brutal dictatorship, launching warfare against dissenting ethnic nationalities, keeping down civil and political liberties, downgrading the nation’s educational facilities, neglecting public health-care and causing widespread hunger.

People consider that the incoming President Thein Sein’s regime as another disguise of the departing junta. So, policies may not change and abuses of political power may be augmented.
http://asiancorrespondent.com/51492/burma-military-regime-dissolved-thein-sein-regime-takes-the-office/
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Burma's new government sworn in
The Associated Press
Posted: Mar 30, 2011 3:34 AM ET
Last Updated: Mar 30, 2011 4:18 AM ET

Burma's junta has officially been dissolved after a swearing-in ceremony to appoint the country's so-called civilian government.

The transition to an elected government in Burma, also known as Myanmar, is widely viewed as a cosmetic makeover to continue the military's grip on power.

The country's first elections in 20 years were held in November but widely criticized as a sham.

State media reported the new government headed by President Thein Sein was sworn in Wednesday in the remote capital of Naypyitaw.

Media declared that the junta's longtime ruling party, the State Peace and Development Council was "officially dissolved."

The SPDC led by Senior Gen. Than Shwe had ruled Burma since 1988. http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/03/30/burma-government.html
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President sworn in, junta dissolved
By DVB
Published: 30 March 2011

Government officials in Burma said this morning that former prime minister Thein Sein, the leader of the election-winning Union Solidarity and Development Party, has been officially sworn in as the country’s new president.

State media also issued a broadcast just after midday today saying that the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), which has ruled Burma in various guises since 1988, has been dissolved at state and regional levels to make way for the new ruling party, the USDP, as the full transformation is readied.

It comes four months after Burma’s first elections in 20 years. Even prior to the vote, Thein Sein had been hotly tipped to take the top post, with the veteran military general known for his absolute loyalty to the junta chief, Senior General Than Shwe.

Thein Sein, who will turn 66 on 20 April, shed his army uniform to contest the country’s controversial November elections last year, and led the USDP to a landslide victory. The USDP now takes up 80 percent of seats in parliament and receives the tacit backing of the 300-plus pre-appointed military officials.

His swearing in, coupled with the dissolution of the SPDC, completes an official transfer of power from the ruling junta to what it claims is a civilian government. Critics say however that the overwhelming presence of former military officials in the new party casts doubt over those assertions.

A leaked US cable from 2009 describes Thein Sein as working “from the same script” as Than Shwe, while the latter’s biographer, Benedict Rogers, says the former prime minister is “regarded as a ‘mystery man’” who has “risen quietly under the patronage of junta chief”.

The ‘mystery man’ however appears on EU sanctions lists, along with other key members of the junta and its cronies, and has a military career spanning some 50 years.

The announcement also marks the end of the first session of parliament, which began on 31 January but isn’t due to sit again until later in the year. http://www.dvb.no/news/president-sworn-in-spdc-dissolved/15033

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Junta army takes a beating, war goes on
Wednesday, 30 March 2011 14:12 S.H.A.N.

Flushed with victory over the Kokang ceasefire group, led by Peng Jiasheng, after a 3 day fighting 19 months ago, the Burma Army had descended on another former ceasefire group the Shan State Army (SSA) North (until a year ago the First Brigade of the SSA North) on 13 March with 19 battalions equipped with heavy weapons.

For the first few days, the offensive appeared to be going well as planned. SSA troops, unable to challenge the Tatmadaw’s greater firepower, were forced to move out from heavily-populated villages. The attacking forces then reportedly issued a two point ultimatum: regrouping of SSA units at its main base in Kehsi township, Wanhai, by 22 March: and surrender by 1 April.

The tide then began to change. The SSA, to lesson the deadly effects of the Burma Army’s firing power, retreated to the deep jungles. The Army, unable to put to use its motor-vehicles, started to bring in more than 150 mules and horses to carry its heavy weapons and officers.

[Maj Gen Pang Fa (Photo: SSA)]

Maj Gen Pang Fa (Photo: SSA)
Then the columns were attacked by SSA patrols, whose proximity and swift assaults had rendered their heavy weapons almost useless.

According to the latest report on 28 March, the SSA managed to get away after killing and wounding more than 50 junta soldiers.

Had the SSA expected a softening in Naypyitaw’s stance, it was definitely wrong.

On 23 March, the Lashio-based Northeastern Region Command’s Staff Officer Grade 1 (G-1) Col Tun Tun Nyi was handed a letter from the SSA’s principal ally the United Wa State Army (UWSA) demanding “political means to resolve political issues.” To which G1 was reported to have replied, “The Wa have only two options: To fight or to surrender.”

Two days later, a proposal was submitted by a Mon MP at the Parliament for peaceful resolution of issues with ethnic armed groups. It was put to the vote and was defeated by 520 votes against 106 votes in favor, according to Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB).

“The rejection means there will be no chance to discuss the issue of peace with ethnic armed groups,” commented an MP who had voted in favor of the motion.

The vote without doubt, also applied to the Karen front that has been fighting without let-up since 8 November.

The meaning is clear: if some of us are entertaining ideas that with “democracy” in Burma since November, peace, illusive since the British days, will return to Burma, we would do better to forget them. http://www.shanland.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3557:junta-army-takes-a-beating-war-goes-on-&catid=86:war&Itemid=284
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General Min Aung Hlaing named as new commander-in-chief of Myanmar defense services
14:16, March 30, 2011
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General Min Aung Hlaing was named as new Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar Defense Services Wednesday along with the new government set-up, official sources said.

Source: Xinhua http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/7335433.html
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Burma junta 'dissolved': state TV
March 30, 2011 - 4:19PM
AFP

Burma's junta has been "officially dissolved", according to state media, after the country swore in a new president on Wednesday.

Referring to the junta's State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), television news, quoting an order signed by Than Shwe, said "since the next cabinet was sworn in, the SPDC has been officially dissolved".

The announcement came after an official said a new head of Burma's army attended the inauguration of Thein Sein as president, apparently indicating that the junta strongman had been replaced.
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General Min Aung Hlaing was present at the swearing-in as Commander in Chief of the country's army, a post held by Than Shwe until now, according to an official.

© 2011 AFP http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/breaking-news-world/burma-junta-dissolved-state-tv-20110330-1cfxl.html
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Myanmar military announces end of junta after over two decades

Yangon, March 30 : Myanmar's military supremo announced that the junta that ruled the country for the past two decades would be disbanded Wednesday in favour of a newly elected government.

"The State Peace and Development Council will be disbanded after the swearing-in ceremony for the new government and parliaments," Senior General Than Shwe said in an announcement on state-controlled television.

Myanmar has been under the junta's rule since 1988 when the army crushed a pro-democracy movement, killing up to 3,000 people.

The junta, led by Than Shwe since 1992, held a general election Nov 7 that voted in a new government, led by the pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party.

Party leader Thein Sein was reportedly sworn in as Myanmar's new president Wednesday morning, sources said.

He replaced Than Shwe as head of state.

Similar ceremonies were held to swear in other cabinet members and all elected parliamentarians, sources said. http://www.newkerala.com/news/world/fullnews-179028.html