Thread: Aung San Suu Kyi appears at protest in Burma

U.N. envoy heads into Myanmar maelstrom
29 Sep 2007 02:47:18 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Aung Hla Tun

YANGON, Sept 29 (Reuters) - United Nations envoy Ibrahim Gambari travels to Myanmar on Saturday carrying worldwide hopes he can persuade its ruling generals to use negotiations instead of guns to end mass protests against 45 years of military rule.

"He's the best hope we have. He is trusted on both sides," Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo said. "If he fails, then the situation can become quite dreadful."

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alertnet.org

Myanmar’s Descent, Seen From 150 Miles Up
By DONALD G. McNEIL Jr.
Published: September 29, 2007

In the “before” shot, from May 2004, the village is there, a cluster of seven roofs near a small lake. In the “after” shot, from February of this year, the houses are gone.

Satellite photographs of rural Myanmar released yesterday show what seems to be evidence of human rights abuses gathered from space: villages wiped out, populations relocated and military encampments rising.

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nytimes.com

Japan lodges protest with Myanmar over killing of journalist
Saturday, September 29, 2007

TOKYO -- Japan lodged a formal protest with Myanmar after a Japanese journalist was shot dead during a crackdown on protesters, a foreign ministry official said Saturday.
Kenji Nagai, 50, was among at least nine people killed Thursday when soldiers fired automatic weapons into a crowd of pro-democracy demonstrators.

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chinapost.com.tw

Myanmar apologises for journalist's death
Sat 29 Sep 2007, 2:29 GMT

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan strongly protested to Myanmar over the killing of a Japanese video journalist during an anti-government rally, and Myanmar Foreign Minister Nyan Win offered apologies, Kyodo news agency said on Saturday.

Fifty-year-old Kenji Nagai was fatally wounded in Yangon on Thursday, and pictures smuggled out of the country showed him clutching a camera as he lay dying.

Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura made the protest when he met his Myanmar counterpart at U.N. headquarters in New York on Friday.

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africa.reuters.com

The Monks Are Cut Off, and Burmese Clashes Ebb
By SETH MYDANS
Published: September 29, 2007

BANGKOK, Sept. 28 — Myanmar’s armed forces appeared on Friday to have sealed tens of thousands of protesting monks inside their monasteries, but they continued to attack bands of demonstrators who challenged them in the main city, Yangon.

Witnesses and diplomats reached by telephone inside the country said troops were confronting and attacking smaller groups of civilians around Yangon, chasing them through narrow streets and sometimes firing at protesters and arresting them.

“Today has been quieter than previous days, meaning far fewer protesters came out, but the military is being very quick to use violence, tear gas, guns and clubs to break it up,” said Shari Villarosa, the chief diplomat at the United States Embassy.

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nytimes.com

Originally Posted by Mid

Myanmar apologises for journalist's death
Sat 29 Sep 2007, 2:29 GMT

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan strongly protested to Myanmar over the killing of a Japanese video journalist during an anti-government rally, and Myanmar Foreign Minister Nyan Win offered apologies, Kyodo news agency said on Saturday.

Fifty-year-old Kenji Nagai was fatally wounded in Yangon on Thursday, and pictures smuggled out of the country showed him clutching a camera as he lay dying.

Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura made the protest when he met his Myanmar counterpart at U.N. headquarters in New York on Friday.

snip

africa.reuters.com

Apologies are no good for murder one. The Jap Govt should demand the killer be sent to Japan for trial. In fact there are many murder one cases here, not just the result of military action. Keep the photos flowing.

Originally Posted by Mid

Internet access restored in Myanmar

29th September 2007, 11:02 WST



Internet access was restored in military-ruled Myanmar on Saturday a day after a web blackout believed to have been imposed to stop reports and pictures of a major crackdown reaching the outside world.

Internet users inside the former Burma were able to see domestic web pages as well as send e-mails outside the country.

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this one is confirmed bs ..............

Internet, this seems to be untrue, I can't ping some know machines there, lifted verbatum from another ........



29 Sep 07, 04:45
thuriza: >mid: Thans complete bs
29 Sep 07, 04:43
SG: Till now, we cannot contact ygn on internet

ko htike's prosaic collection

Burmese security shoot, kick Singaporean

BREAKING NEWS



Singapore (dpa) - A Singaporean man working in Burma was shot with rubber bullets and then kicked by riot police, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said Saturday.

"Our embassy in (Rangoon) has offered to visit him and arrange medical treatment," the ministry's statement said. The embassy has also offered assistance for him and his family to leave.

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bangkokpost.com

'At least 200' killed in Burmese crackdown
Saturday September 29 2007

President George W. Bush last night called on countries with influence over Burma's military rulers to ask them to stop using force after at least nine people were killed.

"I call on all nations that have influence with the regime to join us in supporting the aspirations of the Burmese people, and to tell the Burmese junta to cease using force on its own people who are peacefully expressing their desire for change," President Bush said in a statement.

Burmese state television put the death toll from two days of violence at 10, but dissident groups estimate that at least 200 have died.

The fate of many hundreds of people arrested and taken away on the back of military vehicles is unknown.

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independent.ie

Ko-Htike's CBox

Attention News Editors:
Burma: Internet disconnected, newspapers closed and foreign journalists under surveillance as junta tries to seal off Burma

MONTREAL, Sept. 28 /CNW Telbec/ - As the military junta continues itscrackdown on pro-democracy protests, it has stepped up its strategy ofisolating Burma, trying to reproduce the scenario of the 1988 massacres whenwitness accounts of the bloodshed only reached the outside world after it wasover.

Burma – China and the Olympic card.
Saturday, 29 September 2007, 2:27 pm
Press Release: Caritas

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“With China hosting the Beijing Olympics in 2008, it is critical that they are seen to be hosting and advancing international human rights principles and condemning the brutal tactics of its neigbour Burma in repressing political and religious dissent,” concluded Mr de Groot. ends


scoop.co.nz

It is at times like this where it is clear that the UN, US, UK, ASEAN are represented by highly-paid 'talking suits' who will never take timeous action. The Burmese Junta know this & will continue their actions unabated.

'Talking suits' sicken me to the very pit of my stomach.

Asian protesters wear red to mourn Myanmar deaths
CANBERRA
29-Sep-07

THOUSANDS of people wearing red for blood spilt in Myanmar protested in Asia yesterday, clashing with police in Australia and screaming "get out murderers" in Malaysia, as outrage soared over Myanmar's military crackdown.

Protests spread throughout Asia as four Buddhist monks were arrested in a raid on a monastery outside Yangon yesterday.

The monastery in the northern satellite town of North Okkalapa was raided but there was no signs that the monks had been been beaten as in earlier raids, witnesses said.

Myanmar's police and military were out in force again yesterday, patrolling the deserted streets after a two-day crackdown on mass protests left at least 13 people dead and hundreds more behind bars.

But the crackdown failed to stamp out the protests, as an estimated 50,000 people still swarmed into the streets, sometimes fighting pitched battles with police and pelting them with stones.

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bruneitimes.com.bn

Am I correct that I read somewhere that Than Shwe family have moved to Thailand for safety. If this is the case is the Thai Government habouring them, I wonder what security is in place and if the Burmese population in thailand will try and get to them.

Originally Posted by sledge

Am I correct that I read somewhere that Than Shwe family have moved to Thailand for safety. If this is the case is the Thai Government habouring them, I wonder what security is in place and if the Burmese population in thailand will try and get to them.

Earlier on this thread I read that they were in Laos.

War zone, where only one side has guns
Protests in Rangoon against junta
Soldiers tighten security perimeter, gear up for fresh crackdown

Mizzima reporter in Rangoon
Mizzima News (Specializing News of Burma)


September 29, 2007 - It resembles a chaotic urban war zone with the Burma Army preparing to crush the people’s movement with a heavy hand.

The command centre and the soldiers are positioned in Sule pagoda. At least 12 army trucks could be seen near the Sule pagoda in front of the City Hall. The police station on Sule Road is cordoned off by barbed wire.

The bridges leading to the city centre are closed to prevent protesters from entering. The my appears ready to violently suppress any protest inside the greater downtown area to the bridges.

The city centre is largely paralyzed this morning. Shops owners would be lucky if they can open for two or three hours in the morning.

The state television is now showing troop movements.

It could be a sign that the junta is feeling more secure.

The junta is methodically and systematically pushing the security perimeter outwards.

Last night it was up to Bogyoke Aung San Street to the north and China town to the west.

A run down of what happened yesterday in downtown Rangoon.

It is difficult to estimate the number of protesters as they appeared in groups of a few hundred and were fractured. They [the protesters] were desperately looking for someone to lead them. If these few agitating groups persist, I fear they will just be slaughtered because the regime will try and clean up everything as best as they can before letting Gambari in," an older protester said.

The people were no longer clapping and encouraging the demonstrators as they had done earlier though they still watch and gather but the active demonstrators are now isolated. People will not talk as readily either, as government informers are said to be everywhere.

A few hundred protesters with the red and gold peacock emblazoned flag proceeded down Anawrattha Road to Shwebontha Street. From there they quickly fled back to Shwedagonpagoda Road after cheering for several minutes.

Five army trucks showed up on Shwebontha Street. About 20 soldiers are in each truck with eight sitting on each side, three in front and one in the rear. They all had their guns pointing outside at civilians and pedestrians.

A speech was delivered through a megaphone mounted on a little truck packed with members of the USDA and Swan Arrshin armed with batons.

In a chilling warning to the people they said that more people would die if they did not work together with the army for peace.
At one point it sounded like a recording of yesterday’s shots being replayed.

About 50 soldiers broke off and marched through town heading west on Mahabandoola Street. Three to five rounds of firing from automatic weapons sent us running past the Chinatown market for cover.

At this point it appeared shots were fired in the air.

A military convoy went down Merchant Street heading west to confront what appeared to be the same groups of protesters who gathered had earlier on Anawrattha Street.

The soldiers were led by members of the USDA and Swan Arrshin with in a van.

Fire engines and police vans could be seen. Soldiers sent civilians and non protesters running for cover as everyone is terrified of the army.

Several rounds of automatic rifle fire and at least one round of tear gas were fired in the direction of protesters. The acrid smell of gunfire hung in the air for several minutes.

Mizzima News (Specializing News of Burma)

Junta Orders Monk Curfew at Some Monasteries
Saturday, September 29, 2007


The Burmese military government has limited alms rounds to one hour and ordered a curfew at some monasteries across Burma, following increased tension between the authorities and monks.

rrawaddymedia.com

Myanmar tries to halt flow of news on violence
By Henry Chu and Maggie Farley
Los Angeles Times
Published: Sept. 29, 2007 12:33 a.m. MDT

NEW DELHI — The military regime in Myanmar on Friday tried to shut down the Internet and cell-phone service in a bid to block news and images of the third day of its violent clampdown on dissent from being sent outside the tightly controlled country.

Such images have been crucial in galvanizing international condemnation of the military's iron-fisted response to the largely peaceful protests, which pose the stiffest challenge to the government since 1988, when thousands of pro-democracy protesters were massacred.

Soe Myint, a longtime dissident and editor of Mizzima News, a Web site focusing on news from Myanmar, said although cell-phone service was disrupted some protesters had been able to use text messages to communicate.

Despite the restricted Internet and cell-phone access, photographs and video continued to trickle out Friday, showing protesters challenging and fleeing advancing riot police and soldiers amid dark fumes in Yangon, also known as Rangoon. One young man ripped open his shirt and shouted angrily at the security forces ranged in front of him, as if daring them to shoot

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deseretnews.com

Unrest in Myanmar


Buddhist monks march in Yangon, Myanmar's main city, where demonstrations took a deadly turn as security forces cracked down on protesters. Although the secretive government acknowledged that one man had been killed, witnesses and overseas dissident groups told news agencies that as many as five people had been shot to death or otherwise killed. The latest protests were sparked by a rise in fuel prices, which hit residents hard.
(Associated Press)
September 26, 2007


Kenji Nagai, a Japanese news photographer, is downed after Myanmar’s security forces fired on anti-government protesters in Yangon. Nagai was killed on the second day of an increasingly brutal crackdown by the ruling junta, stirring memories of clashes in 1988 that left thousands dead in the city.
(Reuters)


Soldiers prepare to head to an anti-government protest in Yangon where hundreds of riot police and soldiers used batons and tear gas to drive back crowds. Security forces also took up positions outside six large monasteries to discourage the monks from within from taking to the streets.
(European Pressphoto Agency)
September 26, 2007


Buddhist monks take to the streets of Yangon for the ninth straight day, defying a ban on public assembly by Myanmar's secretive government.
(Democratic Voice of Burma / AP)
September 26, 2007


Monks and other civilians run amid flames and smoke in downtown Yangon after police used violent force to disperse the crowds of protesters. Shots were fired at demonstrators and witnesses said many monks were beaten and dragged off by authorities.
(AFP/Getty Images)
September 26, 2007


Civilians help a monk injured during the Yangon crackdown. The monks hold strong moral authority in Burmese society and their anti-government protest drew thousands of sympathizers.
(European Pressphoto Agency)
September 26, 2007


Riot police attempt to hold back a crowd during ongoing daily demonstrations in downtown Yangon. Security forces resorted to live rounds, batons and tear gas in an effort to disband protesters.
(AFP/Getty Images)
September 26, 2007


An injured monk receives medical treatment after a violent police crackdown on protesters in downtown Yangon.
(AFP/Getty Images)
September 26, 2007
latimes.com

Ko Hla: The military force blocks all 4 roads leading to Sule Pagoda. Peaceful protest starts in Yangon now.
29 Sep 07, 15:05
Ko Hla: We hear from Yangon that the military regime will arrange Trader hotel as place to stay for Ibrahim Gambari , the UN Secretary-General's Special Advisor, during his visit. Then the regime will show him faked protest by government backed USDA members near that hotel.
29 Sep 07, 14:42
Ko Hla: A peaceful protest in Yangon also starts in ShweBonTha Street in downtown.

http://cbox.ws/?i=2755894


BetterMyanmar: Army #66, security guards and police around 500 ppl have taken their positions in Sule. (Translated what lovecountry says)

မ်ိဳးá€�်စ္ျမန္မာ

BetterMyanmar: We heard that all monasteries are being repaired by military. Monks are also back into the monasteries. Residents do not know the monks who are currently residing in Ngwe Kyar Yan monastery which was destroyed by military. (From DVB Radio)

UN envoy arriving Burma
Crackdown on protestors prominent

September 29, 2007

Situation in Burma

Mizzma News (Specializing News of Burma) (Burmese Standard Time)

1:15 p.m
Situation in Rangoon Today

About 500 Soldiers from Regiment No. 66, security forces, and police are stationed at the Sule Pagoda.
At least 20 "Dyna" light vehicles, which have no number plates, and believed to be used for the transport of the arrested protesters, are also seen parking near the security forces.
Several other special police with red ribbons on their necks could also be seen about 100 yards away from the soldiers.
"They are quite relaxed, but are fully equipped. Some are in stand-by but many remain sitting and many onlookers are watching them in awe. It looks like that there would be less protests today," an observer told Mizzima.
About 20 security men are stationed at the eastern gate of Shwedagon pagoda. After the shootings and killings at the Pagoda previous days, the Tarmway-Kyaikkasan road, connecting Rangoon with Thingankyun and South Okklapah townships was blocked.
Situation in Rangoon is near to normal with most civilians continuing their daily work.
UN Secretary-General's Special envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari will arrive today, a UN statement said.
The World body chief, Ban Ki-moon in a statement said he has called on the Burmese military government "to engage in a constructive dialogue with his Special Adviser and to commit to a path of peaceful and inclusive national reconciliation."
Gambari, who has made two earlier visits to the military-ruled Southeast Asian nation in 2006, is currently in Singapore meeting official of the Foreign Ministry.


Kyaikkasan Road killing field

A letter sent from Rangoon, titled "Killings on September 27," said many protesters were killed on Kyaikkasan Road near State High School No. 3 at about 3 p.m. on Thursday.
"When the protesters were marching to the North, the army blocked the intersection near Super One Supermarket. When the protesters turned back to the South, then another group of soldiers blocked the road near Tarmway Junction. The troops hit and removed three leading protesters holding flags. Then they opened fire on the protesters from both sides," the letter added.

Mizzma News (Specializing News of Burma)

Cracks In Myanmar's Top Army Brass Over Firing On Protestors
Saturday 29th of September 2007

Leading exile-run websites have claimed cracks have surfaced within the military junta in Myanmar with serious differences brewing between Senior General Than Shwe and his second-in-command, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye, over the brutal attacks on pro-democracy protestors.


'Maung Aye and his loyalists are opposed to shooting into the crowd,' the Mizzima, a leading news portal run by exiled pro-democracy journalists, said.

It was the 12th straight day Saturday since widespread protests erupted against the ruling junta, which caused outrage in the impoverished Southeast Asian nation by doubling fuel prices Aug 15.

Government-backed soldiers fired on protesting monks for the first time Wednesday and hauled hundreds of clergymen to jail to quell the demonstrations, the biggest such protests since the 1988 pro-democracy movement that saw about 3,000 people killed.

'It is almost sure that there is some sort of a revolt within the army top brass and the ranks over firing on unarmed protestors,' Min Maung, an exiled Burmese student leader and now a correspondent for the BBC (Burmese Service) in New Delhi, told IANS by telephone.

The Irrawaddy and Mizzima web sites have claimed that Than Shwe is in favour of opening fire on the demonstrators, while other commanders, including the Yangon regional commander and the northwest and northeastern regional commanders, favour restraint.

'Very soon Myanmar could witness a mutiny of sorts with several senior commanders and soldiers not willing to attack monks,' Kyaw Than, president of the All Burmese Students' League, told IANS.

Hidden behind dark sunglasses and a military uniform, the 74-year-old Senior Gen Shwe is seen as the single major obstacle to restoration of democracy.

A school dropout, he rose to the military's top brass by helping General Ne Win seize power in a 1962 military coup, ending the country's short post-independence experiment with democracy.

Gen Shwe was also directly involved in quelling the failed popular insurrection in 1988.

There are several instances of mutiny and revolts in Myanmar -- Colonel Zeya of the 3rd Regiment of the army went underground along with his entire unit after Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, attained independence from British rule in 1947.

'There were differences in ideology that led to Col Zeya and his regiment going underground. There could be similar reactions even now with reports indicating that lower ranked officers and soldiers are siding with the demonstrators,' Maung said.

During the military's internal squabbling after 1988, Ne Win was ousted in a coup and Gen Shwe became the top military commander in 1992. Ne Win died under house arrest in 2002.

'Gen Shwe is said to be suffering from various ailments and often visits Singapore for treatment. Now someone within the army top brass might stage a coup if reports are to be believed,' Than said.

Reporters Without Borders, a press-freedom group based in France, described Gen Shwe as a 'notoriously paranoid general'.

'He makes very few public appearances, and most Burmese have never heard him speak,' the rights group said.

The military of Myanmar, officially known as Tatmadaw, has an estimated strength of about 500,000.

newspostindia.com