Burma’s Top General Reported to Quit Parliament
Wednesday, February 16th, 2011
Burmese news reports say a former top member of Burma's military government has resigned his seat in parliament, in a surprise move less than three weeks after he was sworn in.
The reports say a letter of resignation from former Lieutenant General Tin Aye was read aloud Wednesday by the speaker of the military-dominated parliament. No explanation was given for the departure.
Wednesday's resignation follows reports last week of the arrest and dismissal from parliament of a second general, Myint Aung, who was thought to be in line to become commander-in-chief of Burma's armed forces.
The Burmese news magazine Irrawaddy says Myint Aung was placed under house arrest after refusing an appointment as defense minister. The report also said several properties and a vehicle provided Myint Aung by the government had been seized.
The Burmese parliament opened its first session in more than 20 years on February 4, following elections in November. Former military officers or their allies hold more than 80 percent of the seats in the legislature. This has prompted critics to reject government claims that Burma is moving forward with democratic reforms.
http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/ ... arliament/
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Myanmar Junta Figure Drops Out of Pparliament
Published February 16, 2011
YANGON, Myanmar – A top member of Myanmar's junta has resigned his seat in parliament, an unexpected and unexplained move less than three weeks after he was sworn in.
A fellow lawmaker said that the speaker of parliament announced Wednesday that Tin Aye — a lieutenant general until he retired last year to make a successful run for the lower house — had given up his seat.
Khin Shwe, an upper house lawmaker from the military-backed United Solidarity and Development Party, to which Tin Aye also belonged, said no reason was given.
Tin Aye has been the sixth-ranking member of Myanmar's junta, officially known as the State Peace and Development Council.
The future role of the junta under the new elected but still military-dominated government remains unclear. President-elect Thein Sein and Vice President Tin Aung Myint Oo, who are numbers four and five in the junta, remain members of parliament.
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/02/16 ... parliament
Burma’s Top General Reported to Quit Parliament
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