Thread: Aung San Suu Kyi appears at protest in Burma

Rally to support Snr. Gen Than Shwe's four pre-conditions
News - S.H.A.N.
Tuesday, 16 October 2007

The SPDC authorities have issued an order that civilians must attend a rally in Taung Gyi, the capital of Shan State, to support of Snr. Gen Than Shwe's four pre-conditions for dialogue with opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, said a source in southern Shan state.

"To have a dialogue between Snr. Gen Than Shwe and NLD leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the opposition leader must give up four things – confrontation, utter devastation, calling for economic sanctions on Burma and other sanctions," said state television on October 4 at 8 p.m.

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bnionline.net

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People forced in logging for army fund
News - Khonumthung News
Tuesday, 16 October 2007

In Burma there seems to be two sets of rules – one for the Burma Army and another for the people. The people are prohibited from felling trees but the army can do it. The army authorities of the Light Infantry Battalion (268) stationed in northern Chin state has been forcibly engaging locals in timber logging for the army fund.

Captain Aung Min, camp commander of LIB (268) outpost stationed in Falam township in Chin state has been forcing villagers who can use a saw for logging timber in the forests surrounding Ram Hlo village in Falam for the army welfare fund since the first week of June.

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bnionline.net

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Father and son jailed
News - Narinjara News
Tuesday, 16 October 2007

U Indri Ya, a 23-year-old monk, was arrested from Myo Ma monastery in Maungdaw in Arakan state, Burma on September 29 for leading the recent protests by monks. He is now facing charges in the Maungdaw district court, said a relative.

Relatives of the young monk were not allowed to attend any of the hearings or examine the authority's case against him because the judge held court inside the police lockup rather than in a courtroom, the relative added.

The family of the monk has not received a legal suit for his case in the Maungdaw courts.

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bnionline.net

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Army officers accept 2 million Kyat bribe; refuse to free detainee
News - IMNA
Tuesday, 16 October 2007

A Thai cordless telephone owner arrested on suspicion of passing information to groups in exile, was not released even thought the family paid Kyat 2 million to a military commander for his freedom.

The owner, Nai Aung Khin and four women from Khaw-zar sub township, Ye township, Mon State in Burma are being detained since the second week of September in the police station in Ye town.

"They (authorities) produced them in court for passing information to groups in exile," sources close to Nai Aung Khin said.

The families of the detained people paid money to the Military Operation Management Command and other officers in Ye for their release. Nai Aung Khin's family has already spent about Kyat 2 million for his freedom, according to a family source.

They wasted the money because he was not released even after the officers were bribed, he added.

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bnionline.net

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Military scrutinizing guests in monasteries
News - IMNA
Tuesday, 16 October 2007

Burma Army officials in Shwedagon Pagoda area in Rangoon have started scrutinizing guests in the monasteries and are checking where the guests came from.

Many monasteries around the Shwedagon pagoda which have guests are being inspected. Monks believe that the military is looking for dissidents and those who took part in the protests against the junta last month.
Questions like "Where have the guests come from. Why are they here? What is the relation between the guests and the abbots or monks in the temple?" are being asked a monk said.

"It is not just the overnight guest list submitted to the authorities that are being inspected. Officials are examining the abbots, monks, and guests," he added.

The military officers are visiting each monastery in the area and asking pointed questions to abbots, monks and the guests.

"This is the first time this is happening. We never faced such a situation before," the monk added.

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bnionline.net

88 generation students urge continued public pressure

Oct 16, 2007 (DVB)–A statement issued today by the 88 generation students has welcomed the positive results of the recent demonstrations in Burma and called on the Burmese people to maintain the pressure for change.

The statement highlights a number of positive developments that it says have taken place as a result of the protests. In particular, the statement says that the crackdowns on demonstrators exposed the brutality of the military regime and brought Burma to the attention of the international community.

It also claimed the protests gave new impetus to the students’ unions and galvanised a new generation of young people to action against the regime, as well as leading to the formation of several new organisations and raising public awareness within Burma.

The statement cited junta leader senior general Than Shwe’s offer to meet detained opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as another positive outcome.

The group also urged the public to keep up the momentum for change.

“[i]n order to have a truthful dialogue that will subtly bring changes to us to end the military dictatorship, [the people] need to continue the public movement in any ways they can with courage and unity,” the statement said.

The statement said that recent arrests of 88 generation students would not weaken the group’s efforts. Student leaders Ko Htay Kywe, Ko Hla Myo Naung, Ko Aung Thu and Ma Mee Mee were arrested over the weekend, having been on the run since the end of August.

Reporting by DVB
english.dvb.no

Myanmar junta says 468 protesters still under arrest
Oct 17, 2007, 2:45 GMT

Yangon - Myanmar's junta has confirmed that 468 of the 2,927 people arrested for participating in last month's peaceful protests are still in prison, state-run media said Wednesday.

In a short announcement on Myanmar TV at 10 pm Tuesday, the regime revealed that altogether 2,284 people had been rounded up in Yangon for their role in last month's anti-military protests while another 643 were arrested in the provinces.

Of those arrested in Yangon, the epicentre of the recent protests, some 190 remain under detention in Yangon and 278 in the provinces.
The news was repeated in state-run newspapers Wednesday. The announcement was deemed odd because of its briefness and lack of typical anti-western propoganda, leading some to speculate that it may have been made in response to mounting international pressure on Myanmar's junta to release all political prisoners including those who were detained in a brutal crackdown on September 26 and 27 on a peaceful monk-led rebellion.

The junta, however, has continued to arrest people weeks after the demonstrations in defiance of world condemnation.

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monstersandcritics.com


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Myanmar junta: 3,000 detained in protest
1 minute ago

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The official statement on the front-page of The New Light of Myanmar, a government mouthpiece, said authorities were still hunting for demonstrators who took part in the recent uprising.

"Those who led, got involved in and supported the unrest which broke out in September were called in and are being interrogated," the junta said. "Some are still being called in for questioning and those who should be released will be."

The statement said that 2,927 people had been arrested since the crackdown started and nearly 500 were still in custody.
In their last tally of arrests, the junta said that nearly 2,100 had been detained.

Everyone released from custody was required to sign "pledges" the statement said, without elaborating.


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news.yahoo.com

Paying tribute
Oct 17, 2007 04:30 AM

OTTAWA–Canada is responding to Burma's bloody crackdown on its citizens by promising to bestow honorary citizenship on that country's leading prisoner of conscience.

In yesterday's throne speech, the Conservative government announced it will ask Parliament to recognize Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi as an honorary Canadian citizen.

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thestar.com

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Myanmar PM supported military junta
Reuters
Published: Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Myanmar prime minister Soe Win, who was buried at a state funeral on Sunday, was a trusted aide to junta strongman Than Shwe and came to prominence in a bloody crackdown on a nationwide uprising in 1988.

He was also the presumed architect of a bloody attack on supporters of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in 2003, which led to the Nobel laureate's latest long stretch in detention.

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canada.com


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Press Release: US State Department

Burma: Policy Regarding European Sanctions
Question Taken at the October 16, 2007 Press Briefing

Question: Senators Lugar and Biden have urged Europe to join the U.S. in establishing targeted sanctions against the Burmese junta's offshore bank accounts. What is our reaction to this? Do we think there should be a "concerted diplomatic effort" involving the UN, China, India and ASEAN as the senators suggested?

Answer: We welcome the European Union's decision October 15 to strengthen its sanctions against the Burmese regime, including a ban on investment, exports, and imports involving logs and timber and the mining of metals, minerals, and precious and semi-precious stones.
We understand that the EU is considering additional sanctions, including a ban on all new investments, and we strongly support such measures in principle.
Following the junta's crackdown against its citizens peacefully demonstrating for political change, the United States toughened sanctions targeting the Burmese regime, designating an additional 14 senior officials as subject to asset freezing under Executive Order 13310.
The United States has also expanded its visa ban, and is considering additional sanction measures. While sanctions alone certainly will not bring change to Burma, they are a critical part of the effort to bring international pressure to bear on the regime.
We believe a concerted international effort is needed to persuade the Burmese regime of the necessity of pursuing genuine dialogue leading to a peaceful political transition, and this has been reflected in both our policy and our actions on Burma to date.
To achieve this, we are working assiduously in concert with others throughout the international community to ensure the success of the United Nation's good offices mission, led by Special Advisor on Burma Ibrahim Gambari. We are actively engaging key regional partners to gain their support in pressing the regime for a democratic transition.
We will continue to coordinate closely with like-minded partners in Europe and elsewhere. We will also keep this issue before the UN Security Council to help bring about the kind of changes we and the Burmese people seek.
2007/890
Released on October 16, 2007
ENDS

scoop.co.nz

BURMA Update 238
17th Oct 2007
The 88 Generation Students Letter to Mr Ban Ki-Moon

bp1.blogger.com

Four activists sentenced in secret trials - Myanmar opposition
17/10/2007

YANGON (Thomson Financial) - Four members of Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition party have been sentenced to more than seven years in prison in secret trials in western Myanmar, a spokesman said Wednesday.

The four were arrested near the western port city of Sittwe, one of several places around the country where Buddhist monks led marches against the military government in the biggest pro-democracy protests in nearly 20 years.

"So far we have confirmation that four people were each sentenced to seven and a half years in prison. They were accused of taking a leading role in the monks' protests" in Sittwe, said Han Thar Myint, spokesman for the National League for Democracy (NLD).

Among those sentenced was 85-year-old Kyaw Khine, the head of the NLD chapter in Taunggok township outside Sittwe, the spokesman said.

The three others were identified as Than Pe, Tun Kyi and Sein Kyaw.

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orange.advfn.com

Myanmar protest monk jailed for seven years
Wed Oct 17,

YANGON (Reuters) - A Buddhist monk has been jailed for seven and a half years for taking part in mass protests against Myanmar's military junta which the army put down ruthlessly, a monastic source said on Wednesday.

Eik Darea, 26, was the first monk known to have been sentenced for his part in protests led by monks in several cities around the former Burma, the source said. He was also defrocked and could end up in a labor camp.

Eik Darea was sentenced by a district court in Sittwe, the capital of the northwestern state of Rakhine where there was a spate of protests, although on a smaller scale than in Yangon, where thousands of monks led the demonstrations, the source said.

"He was arrested in Maungdaw, on the Bangladesh border. He was forced to leave holy orders and sent up for trial at a closed court in Sittwe," the source said.

"He was charged with inciting public unrest and illegal association. I'm so sorry he might be sent to a labor camp."

Other sources said there were other monks in Rakhine jails who were also expected to face trial.

"Manhunts are still going on in Rakhine State. Some are still on the run. Some are missing," one said.

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reuters.com

NLD member denied permission to attend wife's funeral

Oct 17, 2007 (DVB)–A member of the National League for Democracy serving a long-term sentence in Insein prison has been denied permission to attend his late wife's funeral.

U Aung Thein, 77, an accountant from the NLD's social welfare department, is currently serving a 20-year jail term for illegally possessing a satellite phone and making contact with democracy activists outside Burma.

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"My older sister went to Insein prison and asked permission for our father to be allowed out to attend her funeral.... The officials made several phone calls to their seniors before turning down the application," Ma Khin Khin Win said.

"They said it's impossible to let him go out with the situation as it is."

Reporting by Maung Too
english.dvb.no



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Immigration officers overcharge people for ID cards
by admin — last modified 2007-10-17 07:04

17 October, 2007 - In Burma where the system is steeped in corruption and citizens are exploited, it is not surprising that immigration authorities in Tonzang Township, northern Chin state in Burma have been overcharging the people applying for national identity cards.

In August this year, immigration authorities directed people over 18 year's age in Tonzang Township to apply for national identity cards.

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"They charged Kyat 5,000 (Burma currency) for identity cards and Kyats 10,000 for a household list," a local in Tonzang said.

It was learnt that in Cikha town, they charged Kyats 30,000 per person for an identity card.

Moreover, the immigration staff has been making different excuses while demanding the money from the people.

"They only know how to demand money from civilians in stead of helping them," a local complained.

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khonumthung.com


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Junta Bans Foreign Media from Book Stores
By Violet Cho
October 17, 2007

Burma’s military regime has apparently slapped a ban on the sale of foreign publications that carry coverage of the violent crackdown on the demonstrations by the country’s monks and other protesters.

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irrawaddy.org



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US Wants UN to Investigate Reports of Rape by Burmese Army
By Lalit K Jha / United Nations
October 17, 2007

Saying the Burmese military is using rape as an instrument of systematic repression against ethnic minorities, the US on Tuesday urged the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to conduct an investigation into such cases.

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irrawaddy.org



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Junta puts monks under intense scrutiny in Kachin State
News - Kachin News Group
Wednesday, 17 October 2007

The Burmese military junta in Kachin State northern Burma has restricted the movement of monks while they travel and has kept them under intense scrutiny, according to eyewitness.

The authorities have been especially checking monks among those travelling to Myitkyina the capital of Kachin State from Khat Cho, sources said.

"They also checked us but they didn't conduct a search. The monks, however, were treated differently. They checked everything and asked for the monks travel documents and their reason for travelling," said a teacher who came back from Khat Cho in a car.

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bnionline.net



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Gambari to consult India on Burma
News - Mizzima News
Written by Mungpi
Wednesday, 17 October 2007

UN Secretary General's special envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, will arrive in India on Monday for consultations with government officials on the current imbroglio in Burma, a UN official in New Delhi said.

"The envoy will be here [New Delhi] on Monday and Tuesday to hold talks with Indian leaders," said the official. However, he did not give details of the envoy's schedule meetings.

Gambari, now meeting officials in Malaysia, will fly to Indonesia, India, China and Japan as part of a regional tour to consult with key Asian nations on the situation in Burma.

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bnionline.net



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Bangladesh backs UN efforts to resolve Burma crisis
News - Mizzima News
Written by Siddique Islam
Wednesday, 17 October 2007

Bangladesh fully backs the initiatives of the United Nations Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari to amicably resolve the current imbroglio in Burma, Foreign Adviser of Bangladesh Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said in Dhaka on Tuesday.

Gambari, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General in Burma, is currently on a diplomatic mission in the region.

"We are pleased Gambari has been able to engage all sides in his dialogues. He is currently consulting with Myanmar's neighbours," the Foreign Adviser told the media in the capital, Dhaka.

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bnionline.net

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA
PRESS RELEASE

October 17, 2007

Amnesty International Releases New Video and Audio Testimony of Myanmar 'Witch Hunt' and Brutal Repression

"We have seen police asking money from families of detainees if they want their family members to be released. Young people who are on their way to offices and schools are not only stopped and checked but also robbed."
Testimony from prominent activist Mie Mie recorded shortly before her arrest on October 13

(Washington, DC)--Amnesty International today released new video and audio testimony of ongoing night raids, arbitrary arrests and appalling detention conditions in Myanmar as well as audio statements from two prominent activists shortly before their arrest last weekend.

The release of audio statements from inside Myanmar and filmed interviews with a number of Burmese people forced to flee to Thailand in the last few days comes after last weekend's detention of six people. Prominent activists Htay Kywe, Mie Mie and Aung Thu, all members of the 1988 Generation Students group, were among the detained.

"These accounts of homes being raided at night, family members seized as hostages and people herded into overcrowded and unsanitary detention centers flies in the face of the authorities' persistent claims that normality has returned to Myanmar. Last weekend's arrests also contradict the authorities' assertions that no political prisoners are being held," said Catherine Baber, Head of Amnesty International's Asia-Pacific Program.

The latest testimonies, gathered on film and by phone by a team of Amnesty International researchers on the Thai-Myanmar border, also include eye-witness accounts of the indiscriminate beating of demonstrators and on-lookers, including children and monks during last month's protests.

"Some of the injured were so bloody that you couldn't tell where blood was coming from. Some of the monks lost the top part of their robes. I saw civilians trying to help an injured monk. Most of their injuries were head injuries. The riot police were aiming for the head," said a 31 year-old monk who witnessed a violent confrontation between protesters and police at Shwe Dagon pagoda on September 26.

The video footage, shot in the Thai border town of Mae Sod, also features first-hand testimony from a former detainee of the torture he previously suffered at the hands of the Myanmar security forces including beatings, prolonged suspension by the hands and use of electro-shock.

"They put a hood over my head and kept me in a kneeling position. If I fell down then one of the five guards would kick me. They interrogated me as a group. They kicked me in the back and in the chest and they hit me on my head. And they used an electric wire to whip me," said Nay Tin Myint, who fled from Myanmar after fifteen years of detention and torture.

Since the crackdown there have been an increasing number of reports of death in custody as well as beatings, ill-treatment, lack of food, water or medical treatment in overcrowded unsanitary detention facilities across the country.

"The world needs to know now what is happening in Myanmar's detention centers. If the authorities have nothing to hide, why are they still refusing to grant even the International Committee of the Red Cross full and unfettered access to all those detained?" said Baber.

Visits by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have been suspended since January 2006 after the ICRC refused to accede to conditions that they be accompanied by members of government affiliated agencies.

"The current arbitrary arrests, secret detention and widespread reports of ill-treatment and torture make a mockery of promises made by the Myanmar authorities to cooperate with the United Nations, when the Security Council last week called for early release of all political prisoners.

The international community must act with greater urgency to increase the pressure on Myanmar's authorities to immediately halt arrests of peaceful protesters, open up detention centers to independent observers and release all prisoners of conscience," said Baber.

"On behalf of the Burmese citizens, we need the sympathy of the international people and the international community and we are still doing as much as we can in here to fight for the freedom and justice in Burma.

So I call for the international community to help as much as you can to stop the atrocities in Burma," said Htay Kywe, speaking shortly before his arrest on October 13.

Note to editors:
All interviews were conducted on October 12 and 13 in Mae Sod, Thailand.
For copies of the transcript, audio CD and video tape of testimonies, please contact the AIUSA press office at 202-544-0200 x232.

amnestyusa.org

US says UN should intervene in Burma
18/10/2007,

The United States on Wednesday sought UN Security Council intervention in case Burma's military rulers rebuff plans by a UN special envoy to push for democratic rule in the Southeast Asian state.

Washington also called for global pressure on Burma to allow the swift return of special envoy Ibrahim Gambari to pave the way for a dialogue between the military junta and democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and ethnic minorities.

"Should the regime turn its back on special advisor Gambari's proposals, we believe the matter should be referred back to the Security Council for further consideration," US deputy assistant secretary of state Scot Marciel told a congressional hearing.

He said the United States was working with Mr Gambari and Asian nations to facilitate his "rapid" return to Burma following the junta's appointment of a moderate general to promote dialogue between the regime and Aung San Suu Kyi.

There has been no indication of when the dialogue would take place.

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radioaustralia.net.au

US proposes stronger sanctions against Myanmar
Posted: 18 October 2007 1021 hrs

WASHINGTON : The United States on Wednesday proposed more sanctions against military-ruled Myanmar Wednesday, including blocking critical access to US financial institutions via third countries.

Other measures unveiled in the US House of Representatives were intended to stop the import of Myanmar gemstones through third countries and tighten a freeze of assets on its political and military leaders.

In addition, steps will be taken to prevent US visits by officials from the military government directly linked to a recent violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests led by monks.

"This legislation will turn off a huge cash spigot for the thuggish Burmese regime," said Tom Lantos, the chairman of the House's foreign affairs committee, who introduced the sanctions package, known as the "Block Burmese JADE (junta's anti-democratic efforts) Act."

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channelnewsasia.com

3 Myanmar dissidents reportedly freed
Published: 17, 2007

YANGON, Myanmar, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Myanmar authorities have released three prominent pro-democracy dissidents taken into custody following recent protests, it was reported Wednesday.

The BBC said it had learned the prominent comedian Zagana, the actor Kyaw Thu and his wife, whose name was not given, had been freed.

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upi.com

Myanmar uncovers explosive cartridges in NW division
2007-10-18

YANGON, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Myanmar authorities have recently uncovered some high explosive cartridges in Chaung U, northwestern Sagaing division, for alleged use in terrorist acts by anti-government groups, according to state media Thursday.

The 48 yellowish high explosive TNT cartridges were found buried near the house of a local civilian, the New Light of Myanmar said.

The explosives were first hidden in a monastery in Yangon and later transferred to Chaung U, the report added.

Based on the fact, the authorities charged some monks of the monastery with being misused and involved in the case.

The report also confirmed that a bomb blast on Oct. 12 at a lodging house in the eastern border town of Myawaddy opposite to Thailand's Maesot, leaving one traveler injured and four rooms damaged.



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Myanmar reassures Indonesia on cooperation with UN special envoy
2007-10-18

JAKARTA, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar leader Senior Gen. Than Shwe has promised Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in a letter to continue cooperation with UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari to find a peaceful solution to the country's problem.

Presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal said the letter sent last week showed there was continued communication between the two leaders.
"I can't disclosed details of the letter but Senior Gen. Than Shwe did highlight two points. First, he told Pak president that he would continue to work with (the UN special envoy) Gambari, and second, he vowed to keep the roadmap to democracy on track," the Jakarta Post daily on Thursday quoted the spokesman as saying.

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xinhuanet.com

2,459 released on pledge up to date
New Light of Myanmar

NAY PYI TAW, 16 Oct — Those who led, got involved in, and supported the unrest which broke out in September were called in and are being interrogated.

As the persons who unwittingly joined the unrest are also violators of the law, the authorities have released them after they signed the pledge.
Out of 2284 persons who were called in from Yangon up to date, 2094 were already released on pledge and there are 190 persons left.

Similarly, out of 643 persons who were called in from the states and divisions so far, 365 were already released after they had taken the pledge and there are 278 left. Some are still called in for questioning and those who should be released will be released.

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myanmar.com

UN envoy to visit Myanmar in November
October 18, 2007

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"I have confirmed an invitation to Myanmar, to visit by the third week of November. And I intend to honour that invitation. But there is a possibility of going earlier," he told a press conference.

Gambari indicated it was vital to see both the regime's leader, Senior General Than Shwe, and democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel peace laureate who is under house arrest in Myanmar's main city Yangon.
"It is important to meet the senior general as it gives an authoritative response to any of the queries made," he said.

Asked whether he would see Aung San Suu Kyi, he said: "I hope so."

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terra.net.lb

Media Alert

G mail banned in Mon State
Joi Htaw, IMNA
17 October, 2007

The G mail website has been barred by bagan.net and users cannot receive mails in their in box even though they can use Google talk, said an internet user.

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Though Rangoon and other cities in Burma have regained internet access, Moulmein could do it only yesterday.

bnionline.net

“Panties for Peace” Campaign Wins Wide Support
By Violet Cho
October 18, 2007

The “Panties for Peace” campaign aimed at Burma’s military regime is gaining momentum, with the establishment of a committee to drum up support in Thailand.

The campaign began on October 16, with women throughout the world sending packages to Burmese embassies containing panties. Burma’s superstitious generals, particularly junta chief Than Shwe, believe that contact with any item of women’s wear deprives them of their power.

“Panties for Peace” campaigns have sprung up in Australia, Europe, Singapore—and now Thailand, where a Lanna Action for Burma committee has been formed in Chiang Mai to support the feminine protest.

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irrawaddy.org




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Five NLD Members, One Monk Sentenced to Prison
By Shah Paung
October 18, 2007

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According to family members, a court in Thandwe Township on Wednesday sentenced Min Aung, 35, the joint-secretary of the Taunggok Township, to nine years and six months imprisonment.

The mother of Min Aung said local authorities arrested him on October 13 at his home and took him to Thandwe Prison.

She said her son did nothing wrong while working for the NLD, and he was working for the people of Burma.

“I feel sad, because I am his mother,” she said. “But I know there are a lot of mothers like me in Burma.”

Four other NLD members, three from Taunggok Township, and one from Gwa Township in Arakan State were also sentenced last week.

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irrawaddy.org


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Thailand to Open Border Affairs Office
By Sai Silp
October 18, 2007

A leading Thai human rights lawyer has expressed concerns over the new administrative office which is to be set up to manage border issues in Thailand.

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irrawaddy.org


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Gambari Says Incentives for Burma May Help Break Deadlock
By Chris Brummit/AP Writer/Jakarta
October 18, 2007

Incentives could be offered to Burma's military rulers in exchange for democratic reforms following a bloody crackdown that sparked international outrage, the UN envoy for the country said Thursday.

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irrawaddy.org

Burmese overseas protesters arrested on return to Burma

Oct 18, 2007 (DVB)–Burmese nationals returning from overseas are being arrested by government officials on their arrival at Rangoon airport if they are suspected of having participated in anti-government protests while they were away.

Following the government’s brutal crackdown on demonstrations in Burma, protests were held around the world to show support for those killed and arrested. Many Burmese nationals who were abroad at the time joined in protests outside Burmese embassies.

According to Rangoon airport employees, government officials have lists and photos of people who joined protests in front of Burmese embassies abroad and are checking every Burmese passport holder who comes through the airport and taking some of them into custody for questioning.

"Recently, we saw them arrest two people; one from Tamwe and another from San Chaung township, at the airport arrival gates. They are checking everyone's faces against the photos," said a Rangoon airport employee.

Additional sources told DVB that some people who were taken into custody were released after about three days of questioning while those who were confirmed to have been involved in protests were beaten up and sent directly to Insein prison.

Reporting by Maung Too
english.dvb.no

Rasputin of Burma Identified
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
flamingpeacocks.blogspot.com

Rasputin of Burma

bp1.blogger.com

According to a Blog ran by Sri Lanka based Burmese Buddhist Monks, the key player who advised the implementation of brutal genocide to SPDC has been identified Kya Khat Wine Sayardaw aka (U) Zaw Ti Par La who is the "abbot" of Kya Khat Wine Monastery in Pegu.

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flamingpeacocks.blogspot.com


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Pegu abbot who encouraged killings flees
Thu 18 Oct 2007
IMNA

The abbot who made a speech encouraging senior military officers to kill monks and students in Kyat Khat Wine monastery in Pegu (Bago) has fled after The State Sangha Mahanayaka Committee summoned him for questioning. He had said the protesting monks were fakes.

Kyat Khat Wine abbot, Sayadaw U Zawti Pala refused to meet the committee and escaped from the monastery, temple sources said.

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monnews-imna.com

Monks throw out soldiers in Mandalay
Thu 18 Oct 2007
IMNA

Troops guarding the monasteries in Phayar Kyi quarter, Mandalay were driven out by monks when they were entering the temple for shelter from heavy downpour.

"The monks pelted the soldiers with stones. The soldiers could not enter the temple," an eye witness said.

"The monks in Mandalay are displeased with the soldiers. They are still angry with the soldiers because the soldiers cracked down on them brutally," he added.

Resident monks in Mandalay are still united and are ready to start fresh protests even through monks from rural areas were sent back home.
The majority of the monks is still in the second largest city in Mandalay and under close watch and guarded by troops.

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monnews-imna.com

Originally Posted by Mid

they were entering the temple for shelter from heavy downpour

Cheeky bastards.

Head monk held in exchange for brother

Oct 18, 2007 (DVB)–The abbot of Thitsar Mandai monastery in Gontalabaung village was arrested on 2 October and is to be held until his brother, a monk wanted for involvement in last month’s protests, is detained.

According to locals from the village in Mingaladon township, Rangoon, the monastery was raided by government troops from Rangoon military headquarters but only the head monk was taken into custody.

When villagers went to the military headquarters to find out about the monk, officials told them that his younger brother, also a monk, was wanted for involvement in last month’s protests.

The officials said the abbot would not be released until they have detained his brother.

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Reporting by Moe Aye and DVB
english.dvb.no

Drug dealer set free by Major General
News - Kaowao News
Thursday, 18 October 2007

Though arrested by both Thai and Burmese police, a Three Pagodas Pass based Major General of the Burma Army today released a known drug dealer after just two days behind bars.

The drug dealer was released by a specific order from Major General Hla Oo from the Burmese Infantry Battalion No.308, based in Three Pagodas Pass, according to a Thai police spokesman.

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bnionline.net


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Government bans writers for supporting protests

Oct 18, 2007 (DVB)–The information ministry's censor board has issued a ban order on over 20 writers and cartoonists who supported last month's protests.

An editor of a weekly journal in Rangoon told DVB that magazines and journals have received an order from the censor board instructing them not to publish the work of 22 writers and cartoonists, including 88-year-old high profile writer Dagon Taryar, veteran journalist Ludu Sein Win and cartoonist Aw Pi Kyae.

"This is not an official order. [The censor board] also told us to cancel publication of any articles written by banned writers which had previously been approved by the board," the editor said.

"They are going to ban everyone who showed courage and spoke out against the government. There will be only cowards left."

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english.dvb.no


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Money transfer from Thailand to Burma affected by unrest
Thu 18 Oct 2007
IMNA

The protests in Burma last month has brought about a decline in the amount of money migrant workers from Burma send home from Thailand. Job related problems and lack of suitable openings is also one reason for the fall in transfer of money.

Ha Roe, who runs a private money transfer service in Thailand, said he received a little amount of money for transfer because of the protests in Burma.

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monnews-imna.com


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Humanitarian aid not enough for Myanmar's poor - UN official
WFP / October 18, 2007

A senior official of the World Food Programme has said that humanitarian assistance is presently unable to meet the needs of the people of Myanmar and that the Myanmar Government must undertake immediate critical reforms for the benefit of the country's desperately poor and needy people.

Following a visit last week to Myanmar, WFP Regional Director for Asia Tony Banbury said that while at least five million vulnerable persons in Myanmar are short of food, and that far too many people suffer needlessly from diseases and live in poverty, WFP can presently only provide food to about 500,000 vulnerable persons – far less than is needed.

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kachinpost.com