Former psychological warfare officer Snr-Gen Than Shwe’s main focus is how to maintain his power and rule the country by fear.

He has no interest in cyclone victims and saving lives, let alone offering condolences or visiting the disaster zones. He has vanished from the public eye since Cyclone Nargis slammed into mainland Burma six days ago. 

Than Shwe and his family and hard-core members of the regime may even congratulate themselves on their good fortune in relocating the capital to Naypyidaw in central Burma in 2005 without informing the public.

With the revenues from sales of natural gas and resources to neighboring countries, he has spent more than US $1 billion in building the new capital in the jungle. Rumor has it that he was told by his soothsayers to avoid natural disaster and civil unrest in Rangoon by moving his capital.

But although Than Shwe has escaped Cyclone Nargis he can’t avoid seeing that his days are over.

After failing to issue appropriate and serious cyclone warnings to the people of the Irrawaddy Delta, Than Shwe is now committing humanitarian crimes by not allowing the UN, foreign governments and international agencies to distribute aid to the cyclone victims.

By his actions, Than Shwe has shown the world what kind of man he is—a mentally deranged dictator, holding his people hostage at the end of a gun barrel, utterly unfit to rule a country.

The cyclone has again unmasked the true colors of Than Shwe’s regime, which claims to have built a modern, developed nation. It now bears the responsibility for the catastrophe wrought upon the country by the cyclone, and it must be held accountable.

There should be no fear of the lame question arising of what would happen after the collapse of this regime, about a possible disintegration of the country or of who would lead it.

Let such a discussion continue among foreign experts and the regime’s apologists and opportunists who never shun cooperation with the regime and appeasement of Than Shwe. 

It is clear that the Burmese people do not want the repressive and uncaring regime. There’s no need to send a survey team and consultants to measure the people’s anger and frustration and their desire to overthrow the regime.

We are talking here about a dozen hardliners and cronies who are controlling a Burmese population of 54 million, including members of its armed forces.  If this group leaves the scene, it will be a massive relief for the people of Burma, even ordinary soldiers and officers.

Have no fear. There’s an endless list of leaders who could easily replace members of the Than Shwe regime and manage the country. They may be unknown, but they have been born out of the country’s political and humanitarian crisis.

These new leaders of Burma are now under house arrest, imprisoned or living in exile and helping the cyclone victims.

Let’s name some names, beginning with those potential leaders living in Burma…

Student leader Min Ko Naing, activists Ko Ko Gyi and Jimmy, Htay Kywe, Min Zeya, Pyone Cho, labor rights activist Su Su Nway, Shan leader Hkun Htun Oo, Arakanese politician Aye Tha Aung.

Others include Cin Sian Thang, chairman of the Zomi National Congress, Tawng Kho Thang of the United Nationalities League for Democracy, and members of the Karen National Union and New Mon State Party.

Moreover, elected leaders of the National League for Democracy and members of the government in exile can also be a force to join in the task of leading a reborn Burma.

Among those in exile, Shan activist Charm Tong, Dr Cynthia Maung, Burma’s “Mother Teresa,” prominent political activists and politicians like Dr Thaung Htun, Aung Din, Dr Zaw Oo, Thant Myint-U, Harn Yawnghwe, Aung Naing Oo, and Win Min would readily join the reconstruction task.

The list goes on and on—technocrats, economists, ex-ambassadors and former senior military officers who disassociated themselves from the current military regime are ready to help a new Burma.

Within the NLD, there are several senior and former military officers who joined the party and are working for change. Former Gen Tin on, NLD deputy chairman who is now under house arrest, can guide the party, together with other senior members. There are many more.

One thing is sure—they can work with Burma’s neighbors and the international community, not only to save lives but also to restore democracy, freedom and prosperity in Burma.

Moreover, if Burma’s approximately 2,000 political prisoners are freed today, there are many more eligible men and women who could lead Burma.

What about Aung San Suu Kyi?

In her latest statement, she stated quite clearly that she was not looking for political power or office.