Friday, November 11, 2005
Goodbye Rangoon, Hello Pyinmana
Somewhere in the midst of the bombings in Jordan and the riots in France, this little bit of news slipped past me and past most others. Apparently, the historically wise and sane Burmese junta have decided to move the capital of the country from Rangoon to Pyinmana, just 600 km away. And it's not like it's in planning stages. The move is already under way. Why the move, you ask? Here's the official version.
But, seriously?
"The authorities have chosen Pyinmana because it is centrally located and has quick access to all parts of the country," Brig Gen Kyaw Hsan said.
But, seriously?
Some analysts point to a paranoia among senior military figures that they might come under attack, potentially from the United States, and that a location further from the coast is strategically safer. It certainly puts the generals closer to their frontline forces within the Shan, Chin and Karen states, our correspondent says. But others suggest the military leaders are simply repeating the habits of the Burmese kings in pre-colonial times who built new towns and palaces on the advice of fortune tellers.
