RANGOON, Burma -- Gen. Ne Win stepped down as president of the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma in November, but his picture still hangs on the wall of every government office.
His independent socialist policies are still followed faithfully and from behind the scenes his hands are still firmly on the levers of power.
'Only the name of the president has changed,' a knowledgeable Burmese source said, 'Everything else is the same.'
The new president, U San Yu, reportedly was chosen precisely for his loyality to Ne Win, who has dominated Burmese politics for 20 years.
Rangoon sources said that, in deference to Ne Win, San Yu has refused such presidential perquisites as a motorcycle escort and a presidential residence.
Official pictures of the long-time president remain in government offices because, one former government official said, 'No one dares order that Ne Win's picture be taken down.'
Foreign Ministry officials said there will be no change in the country's fierce independence and non-alignment.
Last year Ne Win ordered Burma out of the non-aligned movement which he helped found because he believed it had become pro-Soviet.
One Foreign Ministry official said the government has received continued requests to send higher ranking observers to the movement and rejoin. But, he said, 'We know what is going on and we will not rejoin until the movement once again becomes truly non-aligned.'
The persistence of Ne Win's power goes far beyond foreign affairs and appearances.
From his lakeside residence on the outskirts of Rangoon, Ne Win controls both the Burmese Socialist Program Party that dominates the government and the military that dominates the party.
The party's victory in November's national elections was no surprise because only candidates approved by the party were allowed to run. But voters were allowed to cast votes for or against the party candidate by putting their ballot in a black or a white box with government officials looking on.
Analysts said the only surprise was that in 64 of the nearly 155,000 People's Council seats, voters refused to give the party candidates the 50 percent approval they need to take office.
'If this means the people are becoming more aware that the ballot, as limited as it is, gives them some power, then that could be interesting for the future,' one observer said.
But the party has no organized opposition except for insurgent groups in border areas, and the latest elections showed a further increase in the military's tight control of the party at every level.
Observers analyzing returns from around the country said that recently retired military officers have taken over the People's Council chairmanships in many areas.
'The Burmese army is a fighting army and has little need for large numbers of staff officers,' one observer said. 'It appears that many captains and majors who lost out for promotions were shifted into the People's Council to give them nice secure jobs.
'In Burma whatever is best for the military is what is done.'
This strategy has kept the leadership of the 120,000-man army loyal to Ne Win and there is no sign of a change now that he has stepped down. The commanders of the seven fighting divisions owe their positions to Ne Win and are believed unlikely to use their power to upset things.
The real question, as before Ne Win left the presidency, is what happens when the general, now 70 and suffering from a variety of illnesses, is really gone.
One Burmese acquaintance of San Yu said the new president was intelligent and honest with enough respect from the army and the party to consolidate his power if Ne Win were to die soon.
In key positions in the party and government are Defense Minister Gen. Kyaw Htin, Council of State Secretary Aye Ko and intelligence chief Brig. Gen. Tin Oo. All are believed to have the ambition and the ability to fight their way to the top in the next few years.
'They must all be building their bases of support in the army and the party,' a diplomatic source said, 'But they are unlikely to really make their move until the old man is really out of power and that time just hasn't come yet.'
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