Burma Needs to Industrialize: Than Shwe
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By THE IRRAWADDY |
Friday, November 6, 2009
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Burma’s military chief Snr-Gen Than Shwe said Burma must industrialize in order to develop, according to the state-run newspaper The New Light of Myamnar on Thursday. “He [Than Shwe] said that indeed, the agro-based country is a developing nation, and if the country would like to be a real developed nation, it must try hard to become an industrialized one,” the newspaper said. Than Shwe made his comments during his second visit to Cyclone Nargis-affected areas in Irrawaddy Division. With regard to the economic development of the region, the newspaper said: “The Senior General gave guidance, saying it is necessary to strive for exploiting the natural resources with the use of manpower and utilizing them to raise per capita income.” Than Shwe also said the meat, fish and salt industries needed developing. “He said that it is necessary to give encouragement to produce salt not only for local consumption but also for industrial raw materials. “[He said that] innovative measures are to be taken for manufacturing of value-added products by extending cold storage and finished goods factories in the meat and fish sector of the region,” the newspaper said. “The Senior General stressed the need to collect [sic] the investment based on the current agriculture task [sic] and to establish the country as an industrialized nation,” the newspaper said. However, Aung Moe Zaw, chairman of the exiled Democratic Party for New Society, said Burma will take a long time to establish an industrialized base because of internal political conflict and strained relations with the international community. “Burma should begin by resolving its political conflicts before trying to develop the nation,” he said. A youth member of the National League for Democracy said: “Even though the Burmese authorities use the word ‘develop’ in projects, it doesn’t seem like development because their projects always depend on the use of human resources.” A businessman in Rangoon added that much more technological skill would be needed to establish an industrialized base in Burma.
 COMMENTS (30)
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Ko Tom Tun,
Nice to hear from you again.
Trust but Verify. Every body lies.
My concern is that the Burmese expats are hurting themselves unknowingly in their host country, going crazy over any Than Shwe statement even if it is proven not to be idiotic.
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Tom Tun Wrote: |
10/11/2009 |
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Plan B,
Well said about communication 101. However, it looks like you are ignoring the power of speaking the truth.
Have you ever heard or studied about the first meeting between Reagan and Gorbachev? If you have, you will understand the power of speaking the truth. Basic communication 101 is useful when you are dealing with honest people.
How honest is Than Shwe? Burma gave him more than 20 years. What positive things did he do in this time? Before your com 101 can even considered, there must be a capability of trust.
However, it is very good of you to share communication skills with us. |
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Soe Thein:
I don't agree with your statement. Even if we had thousands of economists in Burma, you cannot do anything now. Our biggest problem is a political problem, not an economic problem.
"And 50 million poor people will still be poor. How will this change?"
Here are what is needed to be done the most:
- change the regime / political system
- form a democratic society
- open the doors fully, not half way
- change the education system
- communicate with world communities
There are thousands of Burmeses who have advanced degrees from industralized countries in all areas. Don't underestimate the Burmese. Having advanced degree in economics alone cannot raise Burma from poverty. We need advanced degrees in all areas.
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Garrett Wrote: |
10/11/2009 |
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Than Shwe must have been taught:
1) Do not be prejudicial for any reason, simply arrest and imprison whoever disagrees with you.
a) Trust but Verify that your soldiers have given you your cut of the spoils they have looted, stolen, or extorted under your orders.
2) Define the objective of each and every endeavor -
(a)REVENGE by raping, murdering, torturing, enslaving & destroying the food of the ethnic minorities who refuse to kowtow to you and vacate their homelands.
(b)Arrest and imprison any urban citizens you have afforded the luxury of living in the cities who do not support your rape of Burma's resources, and your mistreatment of its ethnic minority citizens.
(c)Reward those who are apathetic and silently obedient by letting them simply live in poverty.
3) Listen and see the message beyond the messenger, then have him arrested.
4) Never cut off any possible channel, use them to make a profit, then arrest them.
Seems like plan B needs a dose of common sense and reality. |
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Dear Dr Kyi May Kaung
Is this your example of "the sincerity of pro democracy inside and outside"?
http://irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=17099
No wonder the west can do they did and get away with it. |
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Oh yes, now only he knows Burma needs to industrialize; we thought he was smart in playing politics only.
Anyway, we can conclude that Burma has a strong leader with a wide vision by the name of Snr Gen Than Shwe. Fat hope for the Burmese, I suppose. |
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Oo Maung Gyi Wrote: |
09/11/2009 |
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Sr.General is correct that Burma should industrialize basing on agro-economy and its products as raw materials.
The time is never too late. If started to-day
there could be results tomorrow. Starting is most important.
But the country has no unity, so first of all we the peoples of Burma should create unity and peace among ourselve. Therefore the present military junta has to cooperate with peoples' mandated party ( National League for Democracy= NLD )for the development of the nation.Then the Tamadaw will becomes national army.
We should start now as suggested by Sr. General Than Shwe. |
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Shwe Yoe Wrote: |
09/11/2009 |
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| Than Shwe should realize that without freedom there will be no industrial development. In a country where even the possession of a fax machine has to be reported to the government, it is really a joke to be aiming for industrialization. This is just another example of brainless junta propaganda! |
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Nat Ka Lay Wrote: |
09/11/2009 |
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I felt a kind of shame when I heard his urge for the need of industrialization.
The Industrial revolution started two centuries ago and nobody's is talking about it now. It has been converted into a basic framework fo building a nation.
He only realizes this when the rest of the world is competing for space and cyber-related technologies. Its as though he has just realized its a good idea to wear shoes when walking out of the house.
Besides, as most say, he does not seems to know what industrialization is. What is the basis of industrialization? It is like a Burmese saying which describes someone who brags he is good dancer while bending a finger only. Than Shwe's statement is that of an idiot, nothing else. |
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My first communication 101 taught me;
1) Do not be prejudicial for any reason.
a) Trust but Verify.
2) Define the objective of each and every endeavor.
3) Listen and see the message beyond the messenger.
4) Never cut off any possible channel.
Seems like every one here needs a dose of COM 101.
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Ngal Hriang Wrote: |
09/11/2009 |
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| WOW! I cannot believe it. Than Shwe knows himself. He is not a scientist. He is not an economist either. Nor is he a politician nor a philosopher . He is just a soldier who knows nothing about how to industrialize our country. Shame on him that he has destroyed our Union of Burma and brought it down to the bottom of the list of developing nations. |
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After a few decades in power, he wakes up and speaks a meaningful word -"Industrialization".
But it is too little and too late in this IT world. |
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kaungaungsu Wrote: |
08/11/2009 |
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No wonder Myanmar is so, with more than the last twenty years wasted; and only now he understands that the country needs to industrialize?
The ship is already sinking. |
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| I don't think Than Shwe really understands the word "industrialize." |
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Bum Tsaw Wrote: |
08/11/2009 |
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Actually, Than Shwe knows how to develop for his own interests. If you travel from Yangon to Mandalay by bus at night, you will see Than Shwe's Kingdom as the "Lost Golden Land" in the middle of darkness. You won't believe how spectacular the "Kingdom" is compared with Rangoon. He knows well how to play for his own gains. But this will not last long for sure.
He has also imposed so-called "Development projects" at the Irrawaddy confluence and Hugawng Valley of Kachin State. You can guess the results of these dam projects: lands owned by thousands of local people for centuries is being confiscated. They are losing their traditional home and their livelihoods by virture of this damned dam project.
We all have to be aware of the massive consequences that will badly affect lowland Burma along the Irrawaddy and those who rely on the Irrawaddy river. The first who are suffering are the local Kachin people, and the second will be Burman majority. What are we going to do about it? |
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Even an independent monkey, if he can speak, can tell that Burma needs industrialization.
These SPDC monkeys know nothing. |
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Thura Zaw Hein Wrote: |
07/11/2009 |
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Yes. Every country needs industrialization. Industries require Man, Machine, Money and Management.
The way Than Shwe manages is simple: drive-by-fright.
One tired empty brain can't do all things. Please promote the liberty of 50 million brains after unchaining their owners who need to re-institutionalize the state, an industrialized state with freedom. |
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Soe Thane Wrote: |
07/11/2009 |
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| This story basically shows that Than Shwe, the exiles, the NLD, and even local businessmen know nothing about how to develop the economy. Burma's biggest failing is that the elites (including the NLD and exiles) are only interested in politics, not in economics. How many of the thousands of exiles and hundreds who have received scholarships now have an advanced degree in economics? Whether it's a military government or an elected civilian government, the ability to manage the economy is still close to zero. And 50 million poor people will still be poor. How will this change? |
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| I'm flabbergasted. What cheek. If you really want industrialization, Senior General, then take all your military colleagues and cronies, flee the country, and let someone, anyone, govern in your place. I'm sure a monkey could industrialize your country better than you and your colleagues, who have managed to muck things up so completely since 1962. |
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Tom Tun Wrote: |
07/11/2009 |
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It is like a serious joke, but not a funny one when I read this article.
Than Shwe said Burma should industrialize. Even young people with just a little education know that every country needs to industrialize in order to develop.
What does a country need to successfully industrialize?
(1) Human resources (it is plentiful but not skilled worker ).
(2) Enough power to supply the industries' consumption.
(3) Rules and regulations for industries, employers and employees.
(4) Stronger tax system and sharing of wealth.
These are the basic requirements need for countries to industrialize.
What does Burma have and what does it lack? Than Shwe is shamelessly saying that Burma needs to industrialize, but does nothing to fulfill the requirements of industries. From this situation, even if Burma change definitely, Burma has to work so hard for about 50 years to catch up with Thailand's current situation. |
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George Than Setkyar Heine Wrote: |
07/11/2009 |
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The junta's mouthpiece newspaper said: “The Senior General gave guidance, saying it is necessary to strive for exploiting the natural resources with the use of manpower and utilizing them to raise per capita income.”
Where is the manpower?
Most have been killed, while many left the country for alien lands where they are slaving for a pittance.
Hence, fields and pastures are left arid and desolate with no one to work on them. No need to talk about per capita income because he and his thugs are stealing and robbing at will while raping women and killing menfolk today.
With no intelligentsia in sight and no much-needed labor, how would you get things moving in that direction, not to mention getting industrialized like that idiot is saying?
He should leave the scene NOW and give others with know-how and expertise in these matters a chance to do something about it if he really means it.
As long as he is in the picture, it won't help or make things work, I say. |
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DASSK Supporter Wrote: |
07/11/2009 |
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| It seems like Dear Leader is putting the cart before the horse. |
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Garrett Wrote: |
07/11/2009 |
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The seeds of greed have now been planted.
All that remains is for CNN to herald this as a breakthrough in engagement by President Obama& for the Western corporations to lobby their respective governments to move forward with the lifting of sanctions.
In Burma, the seeds of greed will be irrigated with the blood, sweat, & tears of the ethnic nationalities whose lives are like the natural resources of their homelands--lucrative, expendable resources.
It is very convenient that once they and their resources are cleared away, there will be plenty of land to increase castor bean, palm oil & rubber agro-projects, plenty of mineral resources which can be strip-mined without worry of environmental issues, and plenty of nearby electricity from hydro-dams to support industrial complexes.
The next step would be to recruit workers from the cities to come work in factories, mines & agro-projects behind the bamboo curtain.
Than Shwe will probably receive the next Nobel Peace Prize. |
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| Than Shwe, how do you expect to make Burm an industrialized nation without electricity, roads, etc? You have all these in your kingdom(Naypyidaw). |
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"'The Senior General stressed the need to collect [sic] -[sic] --- an industrialized nation,' the newspaper said."
Are the [sic] by Irrawaddy meant to be dismissive?
Shouldn't #1 statement here be taken as a cue for dialogue that will lead to connecting needed political changes?
Irrawaddy would do well to not associate the importance of the message from the messenger in a (-) connotation.
As for Ko Aung Moe Zaw, he runs the risk of irrelevance through same old "jump this hoop first" approach.
Time for the West to suggest needed long overdue improvement on "electricity" delivery. Absolutely needed infrastructure all citizenry can benefit from. |
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Anthony Tan Wrote: |
06/11/2009 |
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| How to industrialize when there is insufficient electricity and frequent blackouts? The generals think that industrialization can be done with just power generators? Crazy thinking and just talk only. A lot of Singaporeans and other foreign businessmen and investors are frustrated with the current environment in Myanmar. When the basic infrastructure and necessities are not there, there will never be industrialization. Keep on dreaming. |
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timothy Wrote: |
06/11/2009 |
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| It is outrageous for all the Cyclone Nargis victims to hear the ridiculous talk from human rights abuser Than Shwe. He ignored the plight of victims after the Cyclone disaster struck the delta region for almost 2 weeks according to our records. He had blocked the international rescue experts and workers coming into Burma. The naval vessels had to turn back from Burmese seas as they did not get the junta`s permission to land their heavy industrial rescue machinery on Burmese soil. Now he is throwing Burmese volunteers into jail for helping the victims. The crimes you committed will grow endlessly. I am sure you make villagers sitting on the floor and worship you for your crimes. |
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| Aung Moe Zaw is the unelected chairman for Democratic Party for New Society. None of the party members voted for him. He's just a pretender. |
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Jim O'Brien Wrote: |
06/11/2009 |
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They will industrialize using Burmese as slave labor. Like the Nazis got rocket science using slave labor.
It's all a ploy to get international recognition through U.S. engagement and lifting of sanctions.
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pps12345 Wrote: |
06/11/2009 |
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| Yah, Than Shwe needs industrialization. Than Shwe's family United Power Company and Myanmar Nay Yaung Chi company are running factories in ministry of industry to cover Burma Nuclear Projects. Minister of Industry 2 General Soe Thein ordered his companies, Yee Shin Company and Kyaw Enterprise to import completed and assembled goods to ministry because his factories workers and engineers are busying with Burma Nuclear project and no time to install Myanmar 4 wheels vehicles and excavators. Actually, no machine in factories of ministry of industry 2 produce any vehicles or excavators. ALL equipment and machining center are used for nuclear and missiles. |
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