Biography of Senior General Than Shwe and V-generalMaung Aye

28-06-2008

Than Shwe
Chairman of SPDC

Early life

Born 2 February 1933 Kyaukse, Mandalay division
High school graduate
Postal worker who joined army at age 20

Military

Early military career: assigned to psychological war department and fought against Karen and Shan
Military progression: 1960 – captain; 1972 – Lt. Colonel; 1978 – Colonel; 1983 – Commander military district Southwest; 1985 Brigadier Gen. and Vice-Minister of Defense; 1986 – Major General; 1992 – Chairman (SPDC)
Relatively peaceful military tenure due to stationing in delta region
1 of 21 original members of SLORC
Launches campaign directed against Muslims in north

Leadership initiatives

Responsible for renaming country and calling for new constitution
Corruption crackdown in 1997 leads to sacking of many ministers
Advocate of ASEAN
Ceasefires with ethnic groups
Moves capital to outside Pyinmana (reportedly on advice of astrologers)

Personal

Big believer in astrology
Believes grandson, Pho La Pyeit, is talisman
Wife, Daw Kyaing Kyaing (Pa-O), political figure implicated in public bribery trial in 2004
Wife reportedly convinced him not to retire from politics
Children sent to school in Army trucks, not typical luxury cars
Reads foreign news and current events periodicals
Reportedly enjoys wearing traditional Burmese dress




Maung Aye
Vice-Chairman SPDC

Early life

Born: 25 December 1937

Military

- Graduate of Defense Services Academy – 1st batch career soldier
- 1980s – Commander in Eastern region
- Regarded as a ruthless field soldier and field commander
- Rumored to have received CIA training
- 1 of 21 original members of SLORC

Leadership initiatives

- At least at one stage, regarded by NLD and ASSK as someone they might be able to work with
- Reported to rarely venture outside of War Office anymore, with exception of ceremonial duties
- Does not approve of ceasefire groups maintaining arms

Personal

- Allegedly strong links to drug lords
- Heavy drinker
- Believed to be pro-Indian (relative to many others in leadership)
Wife – Mya Mya San; Daughter – Nandar Aye (spouse of Major Pye Aung)
Officer Commission number 7875