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Myanmar chief tells soldiers to risk their lives for the nation

Myanmar's junta chief Than Shwe has told the nation's soldiers to be prepared to sacrifice their lives for the country in an unusually tough speech at a graduation ceremony, state media said yesterday.

Senior General Than Shwe is rarely seen in public, even in Myanmar's tightly controlled state media, but over the last week his image has been regularly splashed across newspapers and TV screens.

The media appearances appear designed to dampen rampant rumors that the 74-year-old's health was failing, and come amid international pressure on his regime over its deadly crackdown on pro-democracy protests in September.

Than Shwe is normally shown opening bridges or dams, or inspecting new schools, but in his speech to a graduating class at the military's technological academy he urged soldiers to risk their lives to serve the state.

"We, who have no hesitation even to sacrifice our own lives, can sacrifice everything," Than Shwe said, according to the official New Light of Myanmar newspaper. "It is because we dare to sacrifice individual interest that we are daring in serving the state and the people."

"Strong unity ... with patriotic spirit is the best guarantee for the perpetuation of sovereignty and the best defense against any kind of threat the state may face," he said.

Than Shwe heads a military whose forces are estimated at more than 500,000 soldiers.

He rules the nation with an iron fist from the isolated city of Naypyidaw, which he carved out of the jungle to become his new capital two years ago.

When Buddhist monks led more than 100,000 people in the streets of Yangon to protest against the regime in September, security forces opened fire on the crowds.

The government says that 10 people were killed, but a UN investigator said 31 were killed and 74 were missing.
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