Mizzima News

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Burmese junta supremo Snr. Gen Than Shwe embarked on a visit to regions of the Irrawaddy delta, which had been devastated by Cyclone Nargis, sources in the military establishment said.

The trip was postponed earlier. Snr Gen Than Shwe had in October planned to visit the Irrawaddy delta to boost the morale of victims of Cyclone Nargis, which lashed the country on May 2 and 3 2008. He is to inaugurate cyclone shelters in Pyapone district, but had abruptly postponed his visit.

The junta chief left from Rangoon and is expected to arrive in Pyapone town by lunch time, sources said.

His visit, after the postponement, has remained cloaked in secrecy. Sources said even officials accompanying him were not in the know until October 30.

At least 140,000 people died or went missing and another 2.4 million lives were devastated by Cyclone Nargis, which hit Irrawaddy delta and Rangoon division in full fury last May.

Last month, Than Shwe’s wife, Daw Kyaing Kyaing, who largely resides in Rangoon, despite the seat of power shifting to Naypyitaw in November 2005, is said to have been hospitalized for an unspecified illness.

Meanwhile, Burma is expected to receive United States Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell and US ambassador to Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Scot Marciel.

The visiting US officials are unlikely to meet Burma’s military chief Than Shwe, because he has already embarked on a trip to the delta, according to military sources.