Myanmar reshuffles ministers and commanders

Myanmar's ruling junta has reshuffled powerful military leaders for the second time in less than three months, a source close to the military said Thursday, with government ministers also changing posts.
In the most significant shift, Lieutenant General Aung Htwe, one of four special operations commanders and a member of the ruling State Peace and Development Council, moved to the less rigorous position of chief of armed forces training, the source told AFP.
Aung Htwe, who the source said was suffering from poor health, traded posts with Lieutenant General Kyaw Win, who moves to handle Myanmar's northern regional command.
One analyst described the swap as a "strange and quite unprecedented" reshuffle that could affect future important military appointments.
Generals usually receive the title of special operations commander when they are headed for retirement, analysts said.
Major General Maung Maung Swe, head of a northern military command in Myitkyina in Kachin state, and Major General Ohn Myint of the Coastal Command have also swapped posts, the source said.
The reshuffle came less than three months after a May 29 shake-up, as the military continues to reorganise and promote its staunchest loyalists after Prime Minister Khin Nyunt was ousted last October in a sweeping purge.
Khin Nyunt received a 44-year suspended sentence last month after being convicted on eight charges including bribery and corruption.
State media Thursday also reported four other changes in government.
Education minister Than Aung was sacked and replaced by Chan Nyein who was previously deputy minister at the ministry of science and technology, official media said.
Than Aung had been considered close to Senior General Than Shwe, the country's supreme leader.
Two people attached to the prime minister's office - minister without portfolio Brigadier General Pyi Sone and Than Shwe, who has the same name as the senior general - were also "permitted to retire," state media reported. No replacements were announced.
Colonel Thurein Zaw, a new appointee tapped from the military, was named deputy minister at the ministry of national planning and economic development.
The four orders were signed by the SPDC's first secretary, Lieutenant General Thein Sein, effective August 10. They were published in the state press Thursday.
No reasons were given for the changes. Analysts said the cabinet changes were not as significant as the military reshuffle but they expected more to follow.