and prime minister
Manmohan Singh with Senior General Than Shwe, on October 25, 2004 Than Shwe relaxed some state control over the economy, and was a supporter of Burma's participation in the
Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). He also oversaw a large crackdown on corruption, which saw a number of cabinet ministers and regional commanders sacked in 1997. The convention for the "Discipline Democracy New Constitution" was convened from 9 January 1993 to 3 September 2007, a period of more than 14 years and 8 months. Although the main opposition party,
National League for Democracy (NLD) led by
Aung San Suu Kyi, which won the multi-party democracy
general election in 1990, did not participate, the chairman of National Convention Lieutenant General
Thein Sein announced that the creation of the "Constitution" had been accomplished. Than Shwe has continued the suppression of the free press in Burma, 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 Burma's economy, his economic policies have been often criticized as ill-
planned. He advocated for
Crony capitalism. He maintains a low profile, often perceived as reserved and serious, with a reputation as a hardliner and a skilled manipulator. Some observers note that he opposes the democratization of Burma. He marks national holidays and ceremonies with messages in the state-run newspapers but rarely engages with the press. The lavish wedding of his daughter, involving diamonds and champagne, was particularly controversial in a country whose people continue to suffer enormous poverty and enforced austerity. is being welcomed by Senior General Than Shwe, on arrival at
Yangon International Airport, Myanmar, 2006 Power struggles have plagued Burma's military leadership. Than Shwe has been linked to the toppling and arrest of Prime Minister
Khin Nyunt in 2004, which has significantly increased his own power. The former premier, who said he supported Aung San Suu Kyi's involvement in the
National Convention, was seen as a moderate at odds with the junta's hardliners. Than Shwe is said to rely heavily on advice from his soothsayers, a style of ruling dating back to General
Ne Win, a leader who once shot his mirror to avoid bad luck. In May and November 2006 he met with the
United Nations special envoy
Ibrahim Gambari in the newly built capital of
Naypyidaw, which had replaced
Yangon in the previous year, and permitted Gambari to meet with
Aung San Suu Kyi. However, Than Shwe refused to meet Gambari when he visited Burma in November 2007 and again on 10 March 2008. In early May 2008, Than Shwe refused many foreign aid workers from entering the country in the aftermath of
Cyclone Nargis (2 May 2008). This led to many criticisms from the
UN as well as the international community. In early July 2009, the
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon visited Burma and held talks with Senior General Than Shwe. The military junta rejected UN Secretary General's request to meet with
Aung San Suu Kyi. Than Shwe also commented on the upcoming
2010 Burmese election, saying that by the time the UN chief next visits Burma, "I will be an ordinary citizen, a lay person, and my colleagues will too because it will be a civilian government." On 27 August 2010, rumours surfaced that Than Shwe and his deputy,
Vice-Senior General Maung Aye, along with six other top military officers, had resigned their military posts, and that he was expected to remain head of state until at least the end of the 2011 fiscal year, when he would transfer his position to the elected president. The rumor was proven false as the Burmese state media referred to him as "
Senior General" three days later.
Human rights controversies at
Naypyidaw in 2010.Than Shwe's leadership has faced criticism for violence and human rights abuses. According to
Amnesty International, human rights violation in Myanmar were described as "widespread and systematic." Reports suggested that a significant number of Burmese individuals, potentially reaching up to a million, were allegedly subjected to forced labor in "jungle gulags". The absence of free speech and intolerance towards dissent were notable characteristics of the government. In 2007, during the
Saffron Revolution, mass demonstrations led by Buddhist monks were suppressed by security forces, resulting in casualties and detentions. Persistent rumors circulated that thousands of monks and others being rounded up and summarily executed, with their bodies reportedly dumped in the jungle. ==Health and family==