Burmese junta leader dies in helicopter crash
A Burmese army helicopter crashed today, killing a general in the ruling military junta and two cabinet ministers.
The helicopter carrying Lieutenant General Tin Oo and about a dozen officials went down due to engine trouble in the south east of the country, said officials.
Tin Oo, known by the title of Secretary 2 in the ruling State Peace and Development Council, and the two Cabinet ministers were killed, said the officials.
Burma, also known as Myanmar, has been ruled by the military since 1962, and the current junta came to power in 1988, after a crackdown on a pro-democracy movement.
The regime keeps a tight grip on the media and the public usually knows very little about the government and its activities.
The junta has faced intense Western criticism for stifling the opposition, which is led by Aung San Kyi.
She won the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to bring democracy to the Southeast Asian country.
