Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, Senior General Than Shwe (born February 2, 1933) has been the unelected ruler of Burma since April 23, 1992.

Than Shwe was born in Kyaukse . He worked in the Burmese postal service, but at age 20 enlisted in the army. This saw him spend several years in the Psychological Warfare department, engaged in the fight against Karen rebels. In 1960, he was promoted to the rank of captain. After the military coup which ousted Prime Minister U Nu in 1962, Than Shwe continued rising through the ranks. He reached lieutenant colonel in 1972, colonel in 1978, Commander of the Military District of the South West in 1983, Assistant Manager of the General Staff of the Army, brigadier-general and Vice-Minister of Defence in 1985 and then major-general in 1986. He also obtained a seat on the ruling party's Central Executive Committee.

When the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) was created as a response to the bloody protests of 1988, Than Shwe was appointed as one of its 21 members. He grew to become the right-hand man of then ruler, General Saw Maung. On 23 April, 1992, Saw Maung unexpectedly resigned, citing health reasons, and Than Shwe replaced him as Chairman of the Council, head of state, Secretary of Defence and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

Than Shwe initially appeared to be more liberal than his predecessor, as he set free political prisoners, and began to relax the restrictions on democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi, who had been placed under house arrest after the crushed elections of 1990. He renamed the country from Burma to Myanmar, and in 1993, ordered the writing of a new Constitution. Than Shwe relaxed some state control over the economy, and has been a vocal supporter of Myanmar's participation in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). He also oversaw a large crackdown on corruption, which saw the sackings of a number of ministers in 1997. Though he is often seen as not tolerating criticism, he has, for the first time in many years, allowed the International Committee of the Red Cross and Amnesty International to make visits to Myanmar.

However, Than Shwe's government has continued the persecution of Myanmar's ethnic minorities, such as the Karen and Shan peoples. He launched a campaign of repression against Muslims in Myanmar's north that forced an estimated 250,000 people to flee to Bangladesh as refugees. The new Constitution has never been finished, and is still in the committee stage, as of 2004. He has continued the suppression of the free press in Myanmar, and has overseen the detention of journalists who oppose his regime. While he oversaw the release of Aung San Suu Kyi during the late 1990s, he also oversaw her return to detention in 2003. Despite his relaxation of some restrictions on Myanmar's economy, his economic policies have been oft-criticised as being ill-thought-out.

Than Shwe maintains a low profile. He tends to be seen as being sullen and rather withdrawn, a hardliner and an opponent of the democratization of Myanmar. He marks national holidays and ceremonies with messages in the state-run newspapers, but rarely talks to the press.

For many years, Than Shwe was seen as being something of a figurehead as head of state, with the power over policy being held by his ministers. However, more recent reports suggest that, in recent years, he has been consolidating his power over the country. When he reached the mandatory retirement age of 60, he simply extended it, which has led to suggestions that he may remain as head of state for the rest of his life. He has also been linked to the toppling and arrest of Prime Minister Khin Nyunt, which has significantly increased his power.

External link

• Biography (in Spanish)