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Burma leader attends army parade Burma leader attends army parade
(5 days later)
Thousands of soldiers have paraded in Burma's new capital, Nay Pyi Taw, to commemorate Armed Forces Day.Thousands of soldiers have paraded in Burma's new capital, Nay Pyi Taw, to commemorate Armed Forces Day.
The event is one of the few occasions on which reclusive leader Than Shwe makes a public appearance.The event is one of the few occasions on which reclusive leader Than Shwe makes a public appearance.
In his speech, he said the military would hand over to a civilian government after polls set for 2010.In his speech, he said the military would hand over to a civilian government after polls set for 2010.
But he also urged all Burmese to crush "destructive elements" - opposition groups which plan to campaign against the new military-drafted constitution.But he also urged all Burmese to crush "destructive elements" - opposition groups which plan to campaign against the new military-drafted constitution.
Rare appearanceRare appearance
At the age of 75, General Than Shwe is still the most powerful figure in Burma's ruling military council, and believed to be the most intractable obstacle to political reform.At the age of 75, General Than Shwe is still the most powerful figure in Burma's ruling military council, and believed to be the most intractable obstacle to political reform.
So his performance on Armed Forces Day, one of his rare public appearances, is closely watched, both for what he says, and for any signs that his health, which is frail, may be failing.So his performance on Armed Forces Day, one of his rare public appearances, is closely watched, both for what he says, and for any signs that his health, which is frail, may be failing.
This morning's appearance put paid to any health rumours - he showed no signs of fatigue while inspecting the troops for around an hour under a blazing sun.This morning's appearance put paid to any health rumours - he showed no signs of fatigue while inspecting the troops for around an hour under a blazing sun.
His 15-minute speech adopted a hard-line tone indistinguishable from previous years, making no reference to the mass anti-government protests led by Buddhist monks last September.His 15-minute speech adopted a hard-line tone indistinguishable from previous years, making no reference to the mass anti-government protests led by Buddhist monks last September.
Instead, as he always does, Than Shwe called on the soldiers to join hands with the people and crush what he called "internal and external destructive elements trying to sabotage the stability of the state".Instead, as he always does, Than Shwe called on the soldiers to join hands with the people and crush what he called "internal and external destructive elements trying to sabotage the stability of the state".
He did, however, promise a return to civilian rule after elections in two years' time.He did, however, promise a return to civilian rule after elections in two years' time.
The recently finished constitution, drafted by a military-appointed committee would, he said, be put to a referendum for approval this May.The recently finished constitution, drafted by a military-appointed committee would, he said, be put to a referendum for approval this May.
But the charter has yet to be seen by the general public, and criticising it is still punishable by law.But the charter has yet to be seen by the general public, and criticising it is still punishable by law.