The recent thaw in relations between the U.S. and Burma includes an exchange of ambassadors between the two nations for the first time since 1990. Not surprisingly, Burma’s military junta (which calls the country Myanmar) has named a career military officer to serve as Burma’s new ambassador to the U.S.
Born on June 19, 1953, Than Swe earned a B.A. from the Burma Defense Services Academy in 1975 and an M.A. in Defense Studies. During his 25-year Army career (1975-2000), Than Swe (Burmese use both names, as neither is considered a family name) rose from Second Lieutenant to Colonel.
Leaving the military in 2000, Than Swe served as director general for the Progress of Border Areas and National Races in the Ministry of Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs from May 2000 to March 2008. He served as deputy permanent representative to the United Nations from March 2008 to March 2009, when he was appointed Burmese ambassador to the U.N., a post he held until his appointment as ambassador to the U.S.
Than Swe is married and has two daughters.
-Matt Bewig
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