Than Shwe

"Avoiding Campbell means the senior general is not ready to compromise. I think he will fall short of the expectations of the new U.S. administration," said a retired civil servant in Yangon. Thakhin Chan Tun, a retired diplomat, added: "We can't expect any tangible immediate results ... Than Shwe is the one who makes all the decisions on all important policy issues." Some analysts say that Myanmar's ties with China have been strained over instability along their common border and the generals are keen to reduce their reliance on Beijing while seeking to shore up ties with India, Russia and their Southeast Asian allies. "Burma's ties with China may have been exaggerated and it might want to show that it can function independently,"

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"Avoiding Campbell means the senior general is not ready to compromise. I think he will fall short of the expectations of the new US administration," said a retired civil servant in Rangoon. Thakhin Chan Tun, a retired diplomat, added: "We can't expect any tangible immediate results ... Than Shwe is the one who makes all the decisions on all important policy issues. "

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Than Shwe: "Foolish with power", says Nay Phone Latt

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Unquestioning loyalty was "the secret of his success," says Benedict Rogers, co-author of a forthcoming book called Than Shwe: Unmasking Burma's Tyrant. "He always followed orders. He was never seen by anyone as a threat, and therefore was rewarded with promotions, precisely because he didn't really demonstrate any flair or initiative."

Read more: Getting to Know Burma's Ruling General | In this article: Burma, Natural gas, China, Asia, Naypyidaw, Washington, and Xenophobia

"He always followed orders. He was never seen by anyone as a threat, and therefore was rewarded with promotions, precisely because he didn't really demonstrate any flair or initiative." Since reaching the top, Than Shwe has shown "a talent for hanging on to power," says Seekins.

Read more: Getting to Know Burma's Ruling General | In this article: Burma, Natural gas, China, Asia, Naypyidaw, Washington, and Xenophobia

"Some powerful nations are resorting to various ways to pressure and influence our nation under various pretexts. However, the (military) government does not get frightened whenever intimidated," said junta leader Senior Gen. Than Shwe last week. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon last month urged ASEAN to take a tougher line with Myanmar. But in the end, ASEAN leaders are only likely to prod their fellow member to accelerate its so-called "road to democracy,"

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"Elections will be systematically held in 2010 for Hluttaws (parliaments) that will emerge in accordance with the constitution," Senior General Than Shwe said Friday in a speech to the Myanmar War Veterans Organisation, The New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported. "In the period of changing from one system to another, various parties and different beliefs will emerge," said Than Shwe, the head of the State Peace and Development Council, as the ruling junta calls itself.

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Junta supremo Than Shwe said last year the military had a "sincere aim of developing the country without any craving for power".

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"I am deeply disappointed that Senior General Than Shwe refused my request for a visit to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi," Ban told reporters in Bangkok after flying out of Rangoon. He said being able to visit her would have been an "important symbol of the government's willingness to embark on the kind of meaningful engagement that will be essential if the elections of 2010 are to be seen as credible". "I believe the government of Myanmar (Burma) failed to take a unique opportunity to show its commitment for a new era of political openness."

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"Plans are well under way to see to the remaining steps including the 2010 transition work program. So, it is fair to say that the future of the state structure is certain to materialize," Than Shwe said.

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