Burma's new capital revealed
Updated on 27 March 2007
The military dictatorship of Myanmar, or Burma, has unveiled their new capital to the outside world.
The city, called Naypyidaw is being built about 460km north of the old capital, Rangoon. It's where the frail and reclusive military leader Than Shwe, now lives.
The country's reclusive military leader, Than Shwe issued a rare invitation to foreign journalists to watch him reviewing thousands of troops on Burma's Armed Forces day.
This is Senior General Than Shwe's annual outing, but it could be his last.
His generation of Burmese strongmen is growing older. The 74-year-old senior General himself is in poor health.
In official broadcasts from armed forces day, he was only shown at a distance - but his words were clear enough.
He said: "All destructive elements bent on the disintegration of the union, national solidarity constitute a threat to the country."
Despite manoeuvring to succeed the senior general, this was a show of unity.
Some 15,000 troops paraded across the purpose built pavement - in the country's new purpose built capital.
A seven hour drive from Rangoon - Nay Pyi Taw - is a recent creation of Than Shwe's imagination..
On national newscasts, officials surveyed progress in the construction of the new administrative capital.
Some say, the general ordered it be built on the advice of astrologers, others that the military had grown paranoid that the United States might launch an invasion.
Whatever the reason - the outcome is a glorious monument to the nation's isolation from the rest of the world.
The military government says it's marching toward democracy, via a seven step road map, with plans for a new constitution, and elections.
It's promised a future in which people can raise their voices, and not sing the army's praises.
'All destructive elements bent on the disintegration of the union, national solidarity constitute a threat to the country'Burma leader
Critics
But critics like Britain and the US doubt those promises. At the UN they've pushed for the government to speed up progress, release political prisoners, and stop attacks on ethnic minorities.
Brigadier General Kyaw Hsan, Burma Information Ministerm said: "The reason is clear, the Western powers and their cohorts want to put a puppet government in power in Myanmar, and their minion extenders within the country want to grab power through a shortcut."
Burma may be isolated, but it's not without its friends. India and China are engaged in a bidding war for its resources, with both interested in a share of its abundant natural gas supplies.
The new capital
Aung San Suu Kyi
And neighbouring countries like Thailand, and Singapore, continue to provide economic succour to the generals.
Than Shwe's nemesis - pro democracy leader - Aung San Suu Kyi remains under house arrest in the old capital, Rangoon.
There is little hope he'll change his mind and free her before his reign ends.
He will most likely use his time ensuring whoever replaces him keeps Burma as it is.
