Civilian gets president's post to front Burma junta

Published on Friday 4 February 2011 15:14

BURMESE premier Thein Sein was chosen yesterday as the country's first civilian president in half a century, a move that does little to end the army's grip.

The rise of Thein Sein, a 65-year-old loyalist of the paramount leader, senior general Than Shwe, offers slim chance of reforms in the resource-rich country that has wilted under decades of brutal dictatorships.

"He's perfect for Than Shwe. He has a good track record, no political agenda, no reform plans and won't take any initiative," said Aung Thu Nyein, a prominent Burmese academic.

Thein Sein is a career soldier and general who joined the junta in 1997, rising to replace General Soe Win as premier in 2007. He is the regime's international face at regional forums but dislikes the media spotlight.

His appointment bodes ill for the national reconciliation Burma's freed pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi said was crucial for development.

Most diplomats and analysts expect the new president to maintain Burma's authoritarian status quo, with 78-year-old strongman Than Shwe retaining control. With his trusted associate in charge, Than Shwe can rely on the government for protection against enemies and rivals.

"This is surety for Than Shwe. He's not bothered about Aung San Suu Kyi or a people's uprising. He's worried about all the people in the military he's slighted and pushed out," said Aung Naing Oo, a Burmese academic at the Vahu Development Institute, an advocacy group in Thailand.

"He's made a lot of enemies. He knows his time will soon be up and doesn't want to go down the same road as his predecessor," he said, referring to dictator Ne Win, purged by Than Shwe and placed under house arrest in 2002.