Thread: Aung San Suu Kyi appears at protest in Burma

Burma junta divided at highest level
October 10, 2007



Evidence is emerging from Burma that a split occurred within the ruling junta over how to handle the recent demonstrations and that the army was close to mutiny, waiting only for the word from its commander in chief, General Maung Aye.

Maung Aye (far right) is number two in the Burmese junta, second only to General Than Shwe (near right). A battle-hardened, no-nonsense general, he is nonetheless regarded as a realist who carefully weighed the pros and cons of using troops to suppress the monks.

Reports emerged at the height of the bloody crackdown in Rangoon, Mandalay and other cities that confusion existed within the army over how to deal with the demonstrators. Some units were said to have refused to open fire.

A clearer picture of what happened in those critical days is emerging from sources contacted by the Thai based exile magazine, the Irrawaddy, considered to be one of the most reliable reporters on Burma.

snip

thefirstpost.co.uk

Myanmar Dissident Dies Under Questioning
Oct 10, 4:51 AM EDT

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) -- A member of Myanmar's besieged opposition party has died under interrogation by security forces, an exile group said Wednesday.

The Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners also said that security officers had been threatening dissidents' relatives and neighbors to find information on the whereabouts of those involved in recent mass protests against 45 years of military rule.

"The security forces have become more severe in raiding houses of, and searching for, anyone whom they suspect to have been involved in the protests," it said.

The Myanmar exile group, made up of former political prisoners, said authorities had recently informed the family of NLD member Win Shwe, 42, that he had died under interrogation in the central Myanmar region of Sagaing. He and five colleagues were arrested on Sept. 26.

His body was cremated at the detention center, the group said. The report could not be independently verified, although in the past the group has provided detailed, accurate information on political prisoners in the country.

snip

ap.org

some news from the chat .............

When Myanmar nationals, (mostly students) who are working or studying abroad, go back to Myanmar, they are arrested at the Yagon airport. They are detained for 3 days and checked with photos and video

videos sent from Myanmar Embassies around the world. If they are found participating in recent demonstrat ions, they are beaten,tortured, and sent to Insein Prison

can you give me a source ?

My friend sent a forwarded mail

make of that what you will , I believe the poster is a Burmese student in SG .

meanwhile , stories of Monks BODIES ( plural ) floating in the river are emerging ................................

Detainees Dying Under Interrogation, Say Burmese Sources
By Shah Paung
October 10, 2007

A member of Burma’s opposition National League for Democracy has died in a police interrogation center, a Burmese rights group reported on Wednesday.

The report follows news from another rights group on Tuesday that two university students arrested on September 27 had also died while being interrogated.

snip

The AAPP is compiling lists of missing people and certified deaths. Bodies of monks had been found in Rangoon’s Pazundaung River in recent days, it said.

snip

irrawaddy.org

Gambari failed us, says protest leader
Connie Levett Herald Correspondent in Mae Sot, Thailand-Burma border
October 11, 2007


No surrender … U Pancha, the veteran protest leader, speaks for the first time after arriving in Thailand.
Photo: Jack Picone

AN organiser of the protest movement in Rangoon has blasted the United Nations special envoy, Ibrahim Gambari, for bowing to the junta and gaining nothing in his visit to Burma.

Surinder Karkar, also known as Ayea Myint and U Pancha (the Punjabi), was among the Burmese who organised civilian protection circles that ringed monks as they marched through the streets of Rangoon for eight days last month.

"Nothing was achieved … Whatever the regime told him, he did. While he was there we were being shot, we were being detained. After he left there was more rounding up of people," the 43-year-old Sikh Burmese said.

He called on Dr Gambari to publicly release what the detained opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, had said to him during two meetings in Burma.

snip

smh.com.au

88 generation student leader arrested
Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Oct 10, 2007 (DVB)–88 generation student leader Hla Myo Naung was arrested this afternoon by military and police intelligence officers.

According to another 88 generation student leader, he was arrested while visiting an optician in Sanchaung township.

The same leader reported that at least 25 members of the 88 generation students have been detained since mid-August.

Many of the original leaders, including Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi, were arrested in midnight raids on the homes of fuel price protestors on 21 August.

Reporting by DVB
english.dvb.no

Activists ‘tortured to death’
October 10, 2007

Two students drowned during water torture, claims Thai-based human rights group

Several Burmese pro-democracy activists arrested in the recent demonstrations, including two young Rangoon University students, have been tortured to death while being pressed to disclose the whereabouts of comrades on the run, human rights organisations reported today.

They include a leading Mandalay member of the opposition National League for Democracy, 42-year-old Win Shwe, whose family was told he had died three days ago in a police interrogation centre and his body already disposed of, according to the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma).

snip

newsdeskspecial.co.uk

No Joke: Fate of Popular, Arrested Comedians Unknown
By Aye Lae
October 10, 2007

For decades, Burmese comedians have charmed their audiences and irritated the ruling generals with their topical satire and political wit.


Zarganar

During the current unrest, Burmese authorities struck back by arresting two of the country's most well-known comedians. Currently, no one knows where they are being held.

snip

irrawaddy.org

China set to sign Burma statement
October 11, 2007

NEW YORK: The US ambassador to the UN has said it is time to prepare for a government transition in Burma but conceded the military rulers would continue to play a role in the country.

Zalmay Khalilzad was speaking yesterday shortly before Western powers circulated to the Security Council's 15 members a substantially rewritten version of a proposed statement on the crushing of protests in Burma that they first drafted on Friday.

Though considerably watered down from the original, the statement, which calls for democratisation in Burma, is the first time all the world's main countries, including China, have focused public pressure on the ruling junta.

snip

theaustralian.news.com.au

In Myanmar, an Aftermath in Full
October 10, 2007, 10:25 am
By Mike Nizza


Brisk shopping in downtown Yangon, Myanmar, on Sunday.
(Photo: Associated Press)

Things seem to be getting back to normal in Myanmar, the kind of normal that prompted the huge protests in the first place.

snip

thelede.blogs.nytimes.com

Pop stars dedicate their album to Aung San Suu Kyi
23 September, 2004

The album will feature 27 tracks by famous singers


Eric Clapton wanted Burmese people to know that he supports their efforts for freedom


U2, Paul McCartney and Avril Lavigne are to feature on an album dedicated to Burmese pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.

The leader of Burma's opposition party has been held under house arrest by the ruling military junta since May last year.

The album, called For the Lady: Dedicated to freeing Aung San Suu Kyi, will be released by Rhino Records on 26 October.

snip

bbc.co.uk

Residents blame crackdown for crime rise in Mandalay
Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Oct 10, 2007 (DVB)–Security forces have stepped up arrests of people in Mandalay for curfew violations, amid an increase in the local crime rate blamed by residents on the recent crackdowns on anti-government demonstrations.

Government officials have arrested a number of people for breaking the 9pm to 5am curfew that has been in place since 25 September. People on their way home from work have been stopped by officials who have extorted bribes from them.

snip

Reporting by Maung Too
english.dvb.no

.......................................

Family of NLD member imprisoned for USDA intimidation
Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Oct 10, 2007 (DVB)–Family members and colleagues of a National League for Democracy member who was attacked in June have been given five to seven-year sentences for threatening the Union Solidarity and Development Association, according to their lawyer.

U Than Lwin, a National League for Democracy member and elected member of parliament from Mandalay's Maddaya township, suffered serious facial injuries when he was attacked by a man wearing a knuckle-duster in mid-June.

snip

Reporting by Aye Aye Mon
english.dvb.no

.....................................

Pakokku residents jailed for property damage
Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Oct 10, 2007 (DVB)–Five Pakokku residents, who were arrested last month as part of the government crackdown on demonstrations, have been given long-term prison sentences.

U Pike Ko, a member of the National League for Democracy, and four other residents of Pakokku were arrested by government officials on suspicion of passing information to foreign media on the government crackdown on the first monk-led protests, but were charged in court with damaging private property.

snip

Reporting by Maung Too
english.dvb.no

U.N. council still short of agreement on Myanmar
Wed Oct 10, 2007 10:14pm EDT
By Patrick Worsnip

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. Security Council ambassadors failed to agree on Wednesday on a statement deploring Myanmar's crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators, and sent it to capitals for a decision on one key phrase.

Though much watered down from a Western-drafted original, the statement calling for dialogue between the country's military rulers and the opposition would still mark the first action on Myanmar by the council, which includes China.

snip

reuters.com

Burma Junta Continues Communications Clampdown
Thursday, 11 October 2007, 3:16 pm
Press Release: Terry Evans


Burmese Junta's Continuing Communications Clampdown

Burma's ruling junta is now targeting the last remaining communications links to the outside world. Channels that transmitted images of protests by Buddhists monks and members of the '88 Generation Students during September are being relentlessly hunted down and neutralized.

A recent report from the Thai/Burma border states that ten satellite telephones and numerous computers earlier smuggled into Burma have been seized, the last lines of contact after the government shut down the internet and blocked mobile and fixed-line telephones.

snip

scoop.co.nz

Two new Vids on ko-htike.blogspot.com

Reported death of Myanmar dissident highlights information blackout
Oct 11, 2007

Yangon - The reported death by torture of a Myanmar dissident for the opposition party could not be confirmed in Yangon Thursday, testimony to the regime's complete clampdown on the information flow since its brutal crackdown on dissent last month.

According to the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), Win Shwe, a member of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) died as a result of torture sustained at the Plate Myot Police Center near Mandalay.

snip

monstersandcritics.com

Burma under pressure as regional concerns grow
By Amy Kazmin in Bangkok
Published: October 10 2007

In March 2004, Aung San Suu Kyi, the living symbol of Burmese aspirations for a better life, wrote a highly conciliatory letter to Senior General Than Shwe, the head of Burma’s armed forces, offering to work together for the benefit of the country’s long-suffering population.

The missive was dispatched as Ms Suu Kyi – then, as now, under house arrest – and the junta seemed on the verge of a breakthrough after hammering out a deal for her National League for Democracy to participate in the military’s constitution-drafting convention, potentially opening a forum for resolving Burma’s deep-rooted political problems.

But at the last minute, Gen Than Shwe vetoed the deal arranged by his colleagues, refusing to free Ms Suu Kyi, daughter of Burma’s independence hero, or to allow the NLD – which won the 1990 election but was barred from taking power – to reopen its offices.

Soon after, Leon de Riedmatten, then a Rangoon-based mediator closely involved with United Nations’ efforts to broker a political dialogue, received a handwritten note smuggled out from Ms Suu Kyi’s bungalow. It read: “I have done everything the UN has asked me to do. What will the UN do now?”

snip

ft.com

TWO GOOD MOVES FROM the US ................

U.S. Demands Probe After Suu Kyi Ally Dies in Myanmar Custody
By Ed Johnson

Oct. 11 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. government demanded an investigation and threatened new sanctions against Myanmar's military regime after an ally of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi died in custody.

Win Shwe, 42, a member of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, died during interrogation after being arrested Sept. 26 in the city of Mandalay during anti-junta protests, the Assistance Association for Political
Prisoners, a Thailand- based rights group, said in a statement yesterday.

``The United States strongly condemns the atrocities committed by the junta and calls for a full investigation into the death of Win Shwe during his detention,'' White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said by e-mail late yesterday. ``The junta must stop the brutal treatment of its people and peacefully transition to democracy or face new sanctions.''

snip

bloomberg.com

.................................................. .....

US jewellers want Myanmar gem loophole plugged
Posted: 11 October 2007

WASHINGTON: American jewellers asked the authorities Wednesday to effectively plug a legal loophole allowing gems mined from Myanmar to be sold in the United States despite punitive sanctions against the military-ruled state.

Myanmar-mined gems are exported to the United States by third countries such as Thailand, where the precious stones are cut and polished for jewellers, industry officials said.

snip

channelnewsasia.com

Motorbike riders heroes of Myanmar protests
11 October 2007

MANDALAY, Myanmar - Previously better known for their dyed red hair and stunts on downtown streets, young bikers in Myanmar’s second city Mandalay have revamped their image into pro-democracy heroes, residents say.

They say that when Buddhist monks led anti-government protests last month, they were both surprised and pleased to see motorbike riders join in.

The bikers helped ferry the monks around the city and taunted and engaged the security forces, according to witness accounts.

“I used to really hate watching their motorbike stunts on the road,” said Ni Ni, a former university professor using a false name to protect herself from the authorities.

“Now I really respect their riding expertise, because when the authorities stopped the monks from marching, they carried on with the demonstrations on their motorbikes.”

snip

(AFP)
khaleejtimes.com

.................................


UNSC expected to adopt Myanmar statement
11 October 2007

UNITED NATIONS - UN Security Council envoys were expected to adopt a non-binding statement on Thursday deploring the military crackdown in Myanmar, after the text was watered down to placate China and Russia.

snip

(AFP)
khaleejtimes.com

Myanmar rulers lash out at West, foreign media for stoking recent protests
Published: 10.11.07, 06:12 / Israel News

Myanmar’s ruling military lashed out at Western powers and foreign media Thursday for fomenting recent protests that were put down in a brutal crackdown with thousands of people detained.

The state-owned New Light of Myanmar newspaper described protesters, who continue to be hunted down in raids across the country, as “stooges of foreign countries putting on a play written by their foreign masters.”

(AP)
ynetnews.com

here's something to be happy about ..........................

Burma opposition confirms death of detainee
Last Updated 11/10/2007,

Burma's opposition party, the National League for Democracy, has confirmed that one of its members has died after being detained by the country's military junta following last month's anti-government protests.

Our South East Asia correspondent, Karen Percy, says at this stage the party cannot confirm how Win Shwe, 42, died, but a prisoners' rights group based in Thailand, says he was tortured and died after being interrogated.

snip

radioaustralia.net.au

China says int'l community should be constructive in helping Myanmar
2007-10-11 18:14:34


BEIJING, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday said the international community should act in a constructive way to help Myanmar achieve stability, reconciliation, democracy and development.

The Myanmar situation was returning to calm and moving in a positive direction, Chinese Foreign Ministry Liu Jianchao said.

Under current circumstances, Liu said, the international community should act in a constructive way which is the common wish and objective of the majority of countries in the world.

"We hope relevant efforts to this issue should be conducive to UN secretary-general's mediation and helpful for Myanmar to achieve reconciliation, stability and democracy," he said.


Editor: Yangtze Yan
chinaview.cn

UPDATE:Myanmar Rulers Lash Out At West For Stoking Protests
Oct 10, 2007
(Adds China calling for mediation, Human Rights Watch calling for arms embargo, details)

YANGON (AP)--Myanmar's ruling military angrily accused Western powers and foreign media Thursday of inciting recent protests that were crushed by soldiers, and China urged the world to back U.N. mediation efforts to reconcile the junta and the pro-democracy movement.

The state-owned New Light of Myanmar newspaper dismissed the protesters, who are still being hunted down in raids across the impoverished country, as " stooges of foreign countries putting on a play written by their foreign masters."

The paper signaled out "big powers" and radio stations - the British Broadcasting Corp., Voice of America and Radio Free Asia - as being behind the demonstrations, which were violently put down Sept. 26-27 in clashes condemned by nations around the world.

snip

nasdaq.com

URGENT ACTION
Myanmar: Health concern/ Fear of torture or ill-treatment: Hla Myo Naung (m)
PUBLIC AI Index: ASA 16/025/2007
10 October 2007
UA 258/07 Health concern/ Fear of torture or
ill-treatment
MYANMAR Hla Myo Naung (m), former student activist
Former student leader Hla Myo Naung was arrested in the city of Yangon on the
morning of 10 October, as he sought medical treatment for a ruptured cornea. He
is at risk of torture or other ill-treatment. Unless operated on soon, Hla Myo
Naung may go blind in this eye.
snip

Myanmar: Health concern/ Fear of torture or ill-treatment: Hla Myo Naung (m) - Amnesty International