YANGON, Oct. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- Myanmar on Friday enacted a law abolishing the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), state-run RadioMyanmar reported.

    The law, signed by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) Senior-General Than Shwe, states that the existing NIB law, enacted in 1983, is no longer in the interest of the people while the country is on the way to becoming a modern, developed and disciplinary one.

    The NIB previously included such intelligence sub-organizationsas Bureau of Special Investigation (BSI) and Special Branch (SB) dealing with political, economic and criminal matters.

    Observers here said although the NIB is no longer in existence,the military intelligence (MI) under the defense services is stillin operation. However, the special power of the intelligence organization has been much weakened and restricted according to the new law abolishing the NIB.

    The promulgation of the new law came three days after Myanmar carried out a surprising and major cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday, in which former prime minister General Khin Nyunt, who had been military intelligence chief for about 20 years, was removed. Enditem