Myanmar junta leader rumoured ousted in coup
BANGKOK, Wednesday (Reuters) Rumours swirled in army-ruled Myanmar
and neighbouring Thailand on Wednesday that junta strongman Senior
General Than Shwe may have been removed, but Thailand's foreign minister
said it was only speculation.
Reports suggested Than Shwe, head of a military junta which has ruled
the former Burma in various forms since 1962, had been ousted by number
two General Maung Aye.
A Thai intelligence official said he had heard the rumours, but
nothing was confirmed. "We've heard Maung Aye has seized power from Than
Shwe, citing allegations of corruption and his involvement in illegal
trade of weapons," the official, who declined to be named, told Reuters.
He said Thura Shwe Man, the number three general in the ruling State
Peace and Development Council (SPDC), had been assigned to investigate
Than Shwe's alleged crimes.
However, Thai Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon told reporters;
"So far, everything is just a rumour.
I am still sticking to my plan to visit Myanmar late this month." The
Thai language newspaper Phuchatkan reported on its Web site at
manager.co.th that Maung Aye, the army commander-in-chief, was rumoured
to have ordered Than Shwe detained at a Yangon hospital on Tuesday.."Gen
Muang Aye has taken over power since midnight on August 23.
However, there has not been any official announcement in this regard
from the Burmese government," the newspaper said in its report, which
cited Thai intelligence sources. |