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  1. #51
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    Burmese military issues threat to monks

    Sep 24, 2007 (DVB)—The Burmese military has directly threatened monks involved in protests in the country in a nationwide media address for the first time since fuel prices were increased last month.
    In a televised segment on the state-run MRTV channel this evening, minister for religious affairs brigadier general Thura Myint Maung warned Burma’s monks not to break Buddhist “rules and regulations”.

    “The monks who are walking (in protest) now represent only 2 percent of the nation-wide monk population . . . if they do not operate according to Buddhist rules then they will be faced with the law,” Thura Myint Maung was shown on saying on the TV bulletin just hours after more than 200,000 monks and civilians protested around the country.

    The military frequently uses the phrase ‘faced with the law’ when preparing to arrest or charge activists and opposition members on political grounds. The day after the leadership of the 88 Generation Students group was arrested during midnight raids, the state-run New Light of Myanmar said the activists had broken the law and would face legal action.

    The threats also came as reports emerged from Mytikyina and Monywa of monks being thrown out of their monasteries for taking part in small demonstrations. Residents in Myitkyina told DVB today that 30 monks from the Wun Tho monastery were sent back to their home towns by abbot U Wuntha for taking part in yesterday’s protest.

    “The abbot has close ties with the government as he was elected by them as the State’s head monk . . .,” one resident said on condition of anonymity.

    In Monywa, almost 200 monks are reported to have been kicked out of their monasteries for taking part in protest marches against military oppression.

    Reporting by Naw Noreen and Aye Naing
    english.dvb.no

  2. #52
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    Burmese media groups forced to denounce demonstrations

    Sep 24, 2007 (DVB)—The Burmese government has started forcing private newspapers and magazines in Rangoon to run statements denouncing the recent wave of public protests, according to the Burma Media Association.

    Director of the Press Scrutiny and Registration Division of the government, major Tint Swe, reportedly summoned journalists and editors from several Rangoon publications to his office on Sunday and warned them against becoming involved.

    The Ministry of Information has also ordered all publications to run an announcement saying that they are not involved with the newly-formed “Association of Journalists and Artists” that has released a statement encouraging members of the media to protest.

    “All journals and periodicals were also ordered by the Information Ministry to carry an announcement in which we have to state that we are not a part of the association and are not interested in taking part in the protests,” BMA quoted a journalist from inside Burma as saying.

    BMA has condemned the military over the incident, saying that freedom of the press is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

    “The action of the military regime is a severe violation of personal and media freedom. BMA calls on authorities in Burma to immediately revoke the order”, Maung Maung Myint, the president of BMA, said.

    Reporting by DVB
    english.dvb.no

  3. #53
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    Yup, going as predicted. Crackdown on journalists, crackdown on camera use, purges of monks and nuns to follow....sadly, very sadly.

  4. #54
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    US urges restraint from Myanmar's military leaders
    Reuters
    Published: Monday, September 24, 2007


    WASHINGTON, Sept 24 (Reuters) - The United States on Monday called on Myanmar’s military rulers to act with restraint toward tens of thousands of people including Buddhist monks engaged in mass street protests against the junta.

    "We are consulting with allies and friends in the region on ways to encourage inclusive dialogue between the regime and those seeking freedom, as well as encouraging the regime to show restraint and be respectful of the people who are making their views known and simply want freedom," White House press secretary Dana Perino said.

    She said the U.S. embassy was closely watching the situation in the south Asian country, which has seen the biggest demonstrations since the military crushed student-led protests nearly 20 years ago.

    Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, will be among the topics that U.S. President George W. Bush will raise in his address on Tuesday to the U.N. General Assembly, the White House said.

    canada.com

  5. #55
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mid View Post
    Monks’ Protest Is Challenging Burmese Junta


    Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

    Buddhist monks, escorted on each side by hand-holding supporters, protesting Sunday in the wet streets of Yangon, Myanmar.
    What an inspiring picture, thanks! It would be amazing to be there. I think the public has seen it all and is expecting the junta's moves, but with food and fuel prices so high (apparently workers can no longer afrford to take the bus to work) regular Burmese now have nothing to lose. And this much monks' involvement is unprecedented.

  6. #56
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    "US President George W Bush is to announce new sanctions against the ruling military junta in Burma, the White House has said...
    Mr Bush seems poised to impose a US visa ban..."

    source: BBC NEWS | World | Asia-Pacific | US to impose new Burma sanctions

    Is Burma a threat to westerners? A visa ban would totally suck!
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    The gods told me to relax
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  7. #57
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    Quote Originally Posted by bustak
    Is Burma a threat to westerners? A visa ban would totally suck!
    I think that he was referring to not granting US visas to military,government officials and their families to travel to the US. GWB is full of hot air when it comes to Burma. They have placed sanctions before on Burma but this does not affect the rulers because they can import / export what ever they want from China and India;it only hurts the general public. I see that GWB missus is showing an interest, womens pressure can do wonders on hubby; can't threaten to stop BJ's though because he must have interns lining up waiting.

  8. #58
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    Burma Campaign UK: Burma regime planning to infiltrate demonstrations to spark violence
    Mon 24 Sep 2007
    Filed under: News, Press Release
    Burma Campaign UK sources in Rangoon have reported that soldiers have been ordered to shave their heads, in possible preparation for infiltrating peaceful demonstrations. They would start rioting or attacking police, providing the regime with a pretext for a brutal crackdown on protestors.

    Sources indicate that soldiers from Light Battalion 77 in Rangoon have been given the order. Sources also report that the regime has ordered 3,000 monks¹ robes from a factory in Rangoon.
    It is a tactic the regime has used in the past, including at the Depayin massacre in 2003, during which Aung San Suu Kyi was arrested. Regime militia dressed as monks were involved in the ambush which left up to 100 democracy activists dead. State television today reported that action would be taken against protestors.
    ³We know from experience that the regime is capable of opening fire on civilians,² said Mark Farmaner, acting Director of Burma Campaign UK. ³The regime came to power on the back of a massacre in 1988 that left at least 3,000 civilians dead. They have also been accused by the UN of breaking the Geneva Convention for their deliberate targeting of civilians in attacks on ethnic minorities.²
    Despite the widespread expectations that the regime will use violence to suppress protest, the international community has been remarkably silent, with the French government being the only one to make a strong statement warning of consequences if the regime respond with violence. ASEAN has also expressed concern.
    ³The regime has been held in check by the peoples¹ respect for the monks and the fact that the world is watching, but the scale of protests means they will be looking for options that allow them to justify a crackdown,²said Mark Farmaner, ³The UN Secretary General and other world leaders must speak out and make it clear that a violent response in unacceptable. At the moment the international community seems to be willing to watch from the sidelines as the regime moves closer to a massacre. If the regime does attack protestors, this will have been one of the most widely predicted massacres in recent history, and makes a mockery any government¹s claim to be committed to human rights.²
    The Above Post May Contain Strong Language, Flashing Lights, or Violent Scenes.

  9. #59
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    I have a sense that we may be entering a new phase in Burma. The winds of change have been blowing across S.E.Asia for a while now.

    I wonder when the critical mass & tipping points will be reached? Soldiers can only murder so many civilians before they give in.

  10. #60
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    Myanmar warns against further anti-junta protests
    25 Sep 2007, 1006 hrs IST,AFP


    YANGON: Myanmar officials riding on trucks in central Yangon used loudspeakers on Tuesday to warn against new anti-junta protests, one day after Buddhist monks led 100,000 people in the streets.

    "We warn the monks and the people not to participate in protest marches," local government officials shouted into loudspeakers from at least two trucks circling around the nation's commercial hub.

    "We will take action under the existing law," they warned, echoing threats carried in state media since late Monday.

    More protests were expected on Tuesday, again led by the monks whose revered status has made them rallying figures for public anger that erupted more than one month ago after a crippling hike in fuel prices.

    State media on Tuesday explicitly ordered the monks to stay out of politics, and accused foreign media of fueling the protests that have become the biggest challenge to the regime in nearly 20 years.

    "All the members of the Sangha (clergy) residing in the Union of Myanmar are directed to avoid getting involved in party politics and instigation," the official New Light of Myanmar newspaper said.

    "Some foreign media telecasting the protests aim to cause unrest in Myanmar," the paper said.

    The warnings in the newspaper, a government mouthpiece, mirrored threats of a crackdown carried on state television late on Monday.

    In addition to the march in Yangon, the newspaper said protests have taken place in seven of the nation's 14 provinces.

    timesofindia.indiatimes.com

  11. #61
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    Myanmar junta threatens action against protesters
    By Aung Hla Tun | September 25, 2007


    YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar's generals threatened action against further attempts at demonstrations on Tuesday and parked military trucks at Yangon's Shwedagon Pagoda, the assembly point for monks leading the main protests.

    snip

    boston.com

  12. #62
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    Myanmar junta braces for more protests
    YANGON (AFP)

    Buddhist monks chant during a protest in front of the United Nations, New York. Myanmar's generals threatened a crackdown on monks leading the most potent anti-junta movement in nearly two decades as they braced for more rallies Tuesday and world leaders appealed for restraint

    citizen.co.za

  13. #63
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    Faced with Myanmar protests, China's ruling Communist Party reaffirms nonintervention
    Tuesday, September 25, 2007
    AP


    BEIJING -- China ruled out Tuesday getting involved in events in neighboring Myanmar, where the military junta has threatened to take action against a growing wave of pro-democracy protests led by Buddhist monks.

    The Myanmar protests have placed China in a difficult situation because Beijing is a key political backer of the regime and has extensive economic links with the military government.

    However, in what was apparently China's first official comment on the protests, Zhang Zhijun, a vice minister of the party's International Department, said Beijing has had minimal contact with either side and would abide by its long-term policy of noninterference in the domestic affairs of its allies.

    "In our external exchanges, the party strictly abides by four principles ... there is one that is no interference in each other's internal affairs," Zhang told reporters at a news conference in Beijing.

    China is believed to be strongly opposed to unrest in its southern neighbor, and some diplomats and academics have speculated that Beijing may be pressuring the regime to show restraint in the face of the biggest anti-government marches in nearly two decades.

    Admitting that protests have spread across the country, Myanmar's rulers on Tuesday ordered Buddhist monks who have spearheaded the demonstrations to stay out of politics.

    Much of the West applies diplomatic and political sanctions against Myanmar's junta for its refusal to restore democracy, but Chinese aid - along with oil and gas revenues it receives - effectively undercuts any leverage they might have had.

    Beijing earlier this year blocked a U.N. Security Council resolution criticizing Myanmar's rights record, saying it was not the right forum.
    Zhang said that regardless of the extent of the government's ties with overseas groups, it would not use such relations to interfere the domestic affairs of foreign nations

    chinapost.com.tw

  14. #64
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    His Holiness supports call for democracy in Burma
    TibetNet[Tuesday, September 25, 2007 11:34]Dharamshala, September 24


    - His Holiness the Dalai Lama conveys his sincere appreciation and admiration to the large number of fellow Buddhists monks for advocating democracy and freedom in Burma.

    In his message on 23 September, His Holiness said, "I extend my support and solidarity with the recent peaceful movement for democracy in Burma."

    "I fully support their call for freedom and democracy and take this opportunity to appeal to freedom-loving people all over the world to support such non-violent movements," His Holiness added.

    His Holiness further said, "As a Buddist monk, I am appealing to the members of the military regime who believe in Buddhism to act in accordance with the sacred dharma in the spirit of compassion and non-violence."

    "I pray for the success of this peaceful movement and the early release of fellow Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi." His Holiness further said.


    (The Official Website of the Central Tibetan Administration is the official website of the Central Tibetan Administration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.)

    phayul.com

  15. #65
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    Myanmar monks march to Shwedagaon despite warning
    Tue Sep 25, 2007 2:15 AM EDT

    YANGON (Reuters) - Several hundred monks marched on Tuesday into Yangon's Shwedagon Pagoda, the assembly point for Myanmar's biggest anti-junta demonstrations in 20 years, despite warnings military action might be taken against protesters.

    The monks were carrying flags, including some bearing the image of a fighting peacock used by students in a 1988 pro-democracy uprising the generals crushed with the loss of an estimated 3,000 lives, witnesses said.

    ca.today.reuters.com

  16. #66
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    Burmese monks defy warnings from junta
    25th September 2007, 14:30 WST



    About 500 people, including 150 Buddhist monks, gathered in Rangoon on Tuesday for an anti-government protest, despite threats of a crackdown by Burma's ruling junta, witnesses said.

    Monks dressed in saffron and red robes held colourful religious banners and images of Buddha, which they have carried at the front of the marches that have processed through the streets of the city for the last week.

    A few hundred supporters joined the monks at the Shwedagon Pagoda, Burma's holiest shrine, including prominent local movie stars who brought food and water to offer the monks.

    snip

    thewest.com.au

  17. #67
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    Bush to focus on Myanmar not Iran in U.N. speech
    Tue Sep 25, 2007 8:04am BST
    By Tabassum Zakaria


    UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - President George W. Bush is set to announce new U.S. sanctions against Myanmar over human rights as the annual U.N. General Assembly gathering of world leaders gets under way on Tuesday.

    Bush is one of the first speakers on a list that later features Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and diplomats will be watching to see if the leaders of the two bitterly hostile countries cross paths or exchange words.

    But despite the United States leading efforts for more U.N. sanctions against Iran to curtail its nuclear program, Bush will only make a brief mention of Tehran in his speech, the White House said.

    "The speech is not about Iran," spokeswoman Dana Perino said. "The speech is about liberation and how liberation from poverty, disease, hunger, tyranny and oppression and ignorance can lift people up out of poverty and despair."

    Bush will advocate supporting groups in Myanmar that are trying to advance freedom and announce new sanctions directed at key members of the military rulers and their financial supporters, said White House national security adviser Stephen Hadley.

    "He's going to talk about the importance of continuing to support the humanitarian organizations that are trying to deal with the needs of the people of Burma on the ground," he said, using Myanmar's former name.

    uk.reuters.com

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    Buddhist monks resume protests in Myanmar despite government warning
    1 minute ago



    YANGON, Myanmar - Buddhist monks spearheading the biggest anti-government marches in nearly two decades relaunched their protests in Myanmar's two major cities Tuesday, defying orders to stay out of politics.

    About 4,000 monks, cheered on by several thousand supporters, gathered for an eighth day of peaceful protest at Yangon's soaring Shwedagon Pagoda, while some 700 marched in the country's second-largest city Mandalay.

    The demonstrations came despite orders to the Buddhist clergy to halt all political activity and return to their monasteries and as government supporters in pickup trucks cruised Yangon warning large crowds are illegal.

    The protests in Yangon reached 100,000 Monday, becoming the biggest anti-government demonstrations since 1988.

    canadianpress.google.com

  19. #69
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    Burmese monks defy army warning
    Tuesday, 25 September 2007,


    The monks have vowed to continue their action

    Several thousand monks and civilians in Burma's main city Rangoon have defied military orders and begun fresh anti-government protests.

    Protesters left the revered Shwedagon pagoda, where army trucks were parked, to march through the streets.

    Earlier lorries with loudspeakers warned residents that the protests could be "dispersed by military force".

    On Monday, there were protests in at least 25 towns, with tens of thousands of people marching in Rangoon.

    Eyewitnesses said several military trucks were now parked near Shwedagon pagoda, which has been the focus of the protests.

    Map of Rangoon showing locations in the democracy march

    The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says monks - who have been spearheading the protest campaign - have been handing out pictures of Burmese independence hero Aung San, the deceased father of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

    They are also carrying flags, including some bearing the image of a fighting peacock used by students during the 1988 pro-democracy uprising, witnesses told Reuters news agency.

    Students are also openly marching on Tuesday, says the BBC Burmese Service, as opposed to simply forming a chain and clapping on Monday.

    news.bbc.co.uk

  20. #70
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    Monks Protest in Minbya and Rathidaung
    9/25/2007

    Dhaka: Some 5000 anti-government protesters led by monks staged a demonstration yesterday in Minbya, located in central Arakan State, by marching through the town holding Buddha flags.

    A monk said 300 monks and 30 nuns from several monasteries in Minbya gathered at Dama Bodi monastery in Si Hong Ward at 12:20 pm, and marched toward downtown Minbya.

    Soon after the monks reached the entrance gate of the monastery, an estimated 300 people who were waiting to participate joined the monks in their demonstration.

    As the monks proceeded to the main road in front of the township council office, the number of demonstrators increased to 5000, said the monk.

    During the street march, a monk shouted out slogans over a loudspeaker, calling for the release of all political prisoners, a reduction in the price of commodities, and peace for all Burmese people.

    A source said the township education authority closed down all schools in Minbya, including the primary schools, during yesterday's demonstration.

    Thousands of townspeople came out into the streets to support the monks' demonstration by waving their hands and donating bottles of water to the marchers.

    The demonstration ended peacefully at 3:30 pm, but is reported that demonstrations led by monks will continue again today.

    In Rathidaung, a town located near Akyab, about 2000 people led by monks staged a demonstration in support of the current nationwide protests in Burma.

    The demonstration ended without any disturbance by the authorities after two hours.

    narinjara.com

  21. #71
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    VIDEO AND AUDIO NEWS
    Thousands join monks in anti-government protests

    news.bbc.co.uk

  22. #72
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    100,000 people defy Myanmar junta with Yangon protest
    6 hours ago


    YANGON (AFP) — About 100,000 people, led by Buddhist monks, defied Myanmar's junta Tuesday to stage an anti-government protest in downtown Yangon, witnesses said.

    No security forces were visible despite stiff warnings from the government and military earlier not to gather.

    About 30,000 monks led an estimated 70,000 supporters in a march into the centre of Myanmar's commercial hub, where they gathered around the golden Sule Pagoda and the nearby city hall, witnesses said.

    The tide of humanity filled the streets of downtown Yangon, with monks praying and chanting around the pagoda, while their supporters took a small microphone to the sidewalk outside city hall to deliver speeches to the crowd.

    "National reconciliation is very important for us. People and monks are gathering here, and the monks are standing up for the people," famed poet Aung Way told the crowd.

    Some of the monks held small banners that read: "Sufficiency in food, clothing and shelter, national reconciliation, freedom for all political prisoners."

    Other monks chanted, "We want dialogue" or carried banners reading: "May people's desires be fulfilled."

    Thousands of people linked hands to form a human chain around the monks, while joining in their prayers.

    Large contingents of students joined the march, carrying the red flags emblazoned with yellow peacocks that symbolise Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition National League for Democracy.

    The military government has warned since late Monday against new rallies, but one young protester replied: "This is the only thing we can do. We will continue to act according to Buddhist teachings in this protest."
    "We have no fear at all," he added.

    Thousands of people thronged to the sidewalks to clap and cheer, offering water to the crowds gathered under the blazing tropical sun.

    afp.google.com

  23. #73
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    Burma Protests: the Situation on September 25

    Rangoon; 3 p.m.—About 30,000 monks led an estimated 70,000 supporters in a peaceful demonstration through the center of Rangoon. They then gathered around Sule Pagoda and the nearby city hall. During the march, students lifted their own "fighting peacock flag," a symbol of the struggle against the military regime.

    Mandalay; noon—Since early this morning soldiers have been taking up positions near Mandalay’s Yadanabon University, according to witnesses. Maj-Gen Khin Zaw, Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council, and Commander of Central Command, was escorted by security guards as he inspected the soldiers around Yadanabon University before he continued on to Masoeyein Monastery. In the morning the streets of Mandalay were covered in pamphlets warning citizens not to get involved in the demonstrations. The pamphlets, believed to have been distributed by the authorities, warned that serious consequences awaited those who participated in the protests and said that in the event of violence, “Buddhist people would suffer.”

    Rangoon; 2:30 p.m.—Members of the Committee Representing the People’s Parliament in Burma have released a statement encouraging the general public not to prevent the momentum of the current demonstrations, but to help strengthen the protests step by step. The statement also urged all different classes of people in Burma, such as students, youths and the general public to join hands in the fight for democracy.
    Shwebo, Sagaing Division; 1 p.m.—About 200 monks in Shwebo Township, Sagaing Division, took part in a peaceful demonstration, chanting the “Metta Sutta” (the Buddha’s words on kindness), on Tuesday at about 1 p.m., according to a local resident. He said that ordinary citizens hadn’t joined in the protest and that although the authorities were following the march closely, there hadn’t been any disturbances.

    Rangoon; 1:00 p.m.—About 5,000 monks assembled at Shwedagon Pagoda on Tuesday morning and began a demonstration march to Sule Pagoda in the city center. Several thousand people joined them en route, ignoring regime warnings not to take part. About 200 members of Burma’s opposition National League for Democracy joined the demonstration.

    Rangoon, 11:00 a.m.—Loudspeaker vehicles toured the streets of Rangoon on Tuesday morning, warning residents they faced legal action if they joined demonstrating monks or even just watched the protests. Residents reported seeing several military trucks take up positions outside Rangoon's Shwedagon Pagoda, as monks and demonstrators began to gather for the eighth day of demonstrations.

    The Irrawaddy News Magazine Online Edition

  24. #74
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    Thailand to evacuate Thais in Myanmar if violence occurs
    BANGKOK, Sep 25 (TNA) –

    Thailand is prepared to evacuate Thais in Myanmar if the mass street protests turn into violence, Thai Supreme Commander Gen. Boonsang Niempradit said Tuesday.

    Speaking about the mass street protests of Buddhist monks and their lay supporters in Myanmar, Gen. Boonsang said that Thailand's military has closely monitored the situation as many Thai nationals live and work in Myanmar.

    He said that while he believed the situation won't turn into a turmoil, he has nonetheless contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Thai military attache to Myanmar to be prepared to evacuate Thai nationals in Myanmar if the situation changes and becomes violent.

    Meanwhile, Customs Department director-general Chavalit Sethametheekul said that the rallies haven't affected trade at the border of the two countries. Facilities and transportation links support border trade, which is one of Thailand's key trade strategies, he said.

    Maroot Mrigadat, PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) director and secretary to the Board of Directors said that the company is monitoring the situation in Myanmar.

    None of the parties wish to see violence take place, Mr. Maroot said. However, if it occurs, the company is ready to evacuate about ten workers from Myanmar.The mass rallies have no impact on PTTEP's operations at the moment.

    Two gas fields – the Yadana and Yetagun zones – are currently operating to deliver more than one billion cubic feet per day of natural gas to Thailand.

    PTTEP has invested several hundred million dollars in Myanmar.
    Meanwhile, a source at Shin Satellite Plc, Thailand's first satellite operator and a subsidiary of Shin Corporation which allocated IPStar broadband satellite services in Burma, disclosed that the marches of Buddhist monks in Yangon did not much affect the company's operations.

    However, Shin Satellite would continue to monitor the situation. (TNA)-E004, E110

    MCOT Public Company Limited.

  25. #75
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    Yangon bloggers outsmart Myanmar censors


    Agence France-Presse
    Last updated 05:21pm (Mla time) 09/25/2007


    BANGKOK -- Savvy young bloggers in Myanmar are breaking through the military junta's tight Internet controls to post photos and videos of swelling anti-government protests, experts said Tuesday.

    The government blocks almost every website that carries news or information about the Southeast Asian country, and even bars access to web-based email.

    But an army of young techies in Yangon works around the clock to circumvent the censors, posting pictures and videos on blogs almost as soon as the protests happen.

    snip

    newsinfo.inquirer.net

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