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Gen. Than Shwe, leader of the State Peace and Development Council of Myanmar since 1992, was taken to a Singapore hospital for medical treatment Aug. 24, according to media reports that surfaced Aug. 26. The reports do not indicate the nature or severity of Than Shwe's illness, though the 73-year-old general's transportation to another country for medical treatment after being seen in good health days earlier indicates he may have a significant health problem.
The reports of illness come two days after widespread speculation emerged that Than Shwe had been overthrown in a coup at an Aug. 22 meeting of Myanmar's ruling generals. The coup was purportedly staged by a group of five generals inside the junta, who decided Than Shwe should be replaced by his deputy, Gen. Maung Aye. Around the same time as the purported coup, government-run Web sites halted operations, and lines of communication in the country were shut down; Myanmar's ruling powers also made no statements confirming or denying any of the rumors.
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