sirMGthwar, just an added on if you like, cowardice might not alway be an indicator in leadership and more so for successful leadership and outcome of leadership.
back to the story of U AungZeya, there was a very very capable guy called KhinOoSar NgaKhinNyo. but he was said to be very efficient leader, powerful and master of martial arts but he failed miserably and his life was a waste, could have been better utilised for building the nation. also one has to remember that UAungzeya was surrounded by talented capable generals, how did he organise some of these very capable talented guys, history revealed in parts. you may also remember very memorable general MinKaungNawyahtar,how his life was wasted by untruthful individual or rather "system". time, space and people that make history. in politics as you know, things arent alway what they seem. external factors become a part of calculation and strategy nowadays and every sensible ones except some demo loudmouth and handful of power hungry bunch donot seem to consider that these factors have their own interests rather than that of ours. anyway, history has full of lessons sensible ones can draw a parallel conclusion so to speak. I do hope this time, they are sensible and productive.