Aung San Suu Kyi appears at protest in Burma

**Mid** · 28-09-2007, 07:11 PM

'It's like a living hell'
China pushes Burma to accept UN envoy after bloody day of violence
Aileen McCabe, The Ottawa Citizen; With files from Reuters and Agence France-Presse
Published: Friday, September 28, 2007

After unusually blunt language from its Asian neighbours -- including China -- Burma's military rulers yesterday agreed to a "face-saving" move that could end the junta's violent crackdown on its citizens.

China, with a push from U.S. President George W. Bush, helped win Burma's consent to a visit by UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari, who was dispatched late Wednesday to discuss the crisis in the southeast Asian country, ruled by the army since 1962.

Earlier, soldiers and police fired into crowds of demonstrators in Burma's largest city, Rangoon, and gave them 10 minutes to clear the streets or be shot, with nine people killed in the second day of a crackdown on the largest uprising in 20 years.

snip

canada.com

**Mid** · 28-09-2007, 07:25 PM

Satellites confirm reports of Myanmar violence
(Reuters)
28 September 2007

WASHINGTON - Satellite images confirm reports of burned villages, forced relocations and other human-rights abuses in Myanmar, scientists said on Friday.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science said the high-resolution photographs taken by commercial satellites document a growing military presence at 25 sites across eastern Myanmar, matching eyewitness reports.

“We found evidence of 18 villages that essentially disappeared,” AAAS researcher Lars Bromley said in an interview.

“We got reporting in late April that a set of villages in Karen state had been burned. We were actually able to identify burn scars on the ground -- square-shaped burn scars the size of houses,” Bromley added.

Myanmar, formerly Burma, is undergoing its worst unrest since a 1988 rebellion by students and monks.

The military government in the poor and isolated Southeast Asian country has long been accused of repression.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations voiced ”revulsion” on Thursday at the deaths of nine protesters in Yangon and governments including China and the United States have asked the military-led government to stop using force against protesters.

The AAAS said its images corroborate reports filed by refugees and human rights groups, who say abuses have been going on in many parts of the country for years.

Before and after

Bromley’s group got funding from the Open Society Institute and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to book satellite time over Burma and to buy archived images.

“If an attack was reported in a certain area and that attack was said to have destroyed a village or certain villages, we looked for satellite images before and after the date of attack,” Bromley said.

“We literally scroll through them inch by inch and look for villages that essentially disappeared.”

They also found evidence of “forest relocation -- where a lot of people are taken from more remote areas and forced to build homes in areas under control of the military government,” Bromley said.

“In one area around a military camp that we spotted, there were about 31 villages that popped up in a space of about 5 1/2 years.

That is either an incredible baby boom or some sort of targeted development program or, because we have no information on either of those, the forest relocation would be a logical candidate,” he said.

The AAAS has used the same technology to document destruction in Sudan’s Darfur region and Zimbabwe.

Bromley said the satellite data is not complete or detailed enough to show anything happening in real time, such as the burning of a village. “All we are doing is verifying and quantifying,” he said.

The AAAS worked with three human rights groups to follow up on descriptions of more than 70 instances of human rights violations from mid-2006 through early 2007 in eastern Burma’s Karen state and surrounding regions.

It was not easy -- the satellites are only rarely over Myanmar, there is often cloud cover and the lush forest grows quickly to mask evidence of damage.

But they got images of the locations of 31 reported events and were able to corroborate reports of human rights violations at 25 of them.

Governments such as the United States likely have had this information, Bromley said.

“But if someone in the State Department or in the Department of Defense was looking at this imagery for Burma and seeing atrocities in process would they be able to talk about it?” he asked.

khaleejtimes.com

**Mid** · 28-09-2007, 07:29 PM

Protests continue in Rangoon amid ongoing crackdowns
Sep 28, 2007

(DVB)–Soldiers have used slingshots to disperse demonstrations in Rangoon today, which have been less organised than on previous days.
Chants from the protestors have taken on a different tone from earlier messages of goodwill, with protestors calling for lightning to strike and kill those who had attacked monks.

“Before they were chanting metta, but now they are cursing the soldiers,” said a local resident.

Troops were deployed at the corner of Sule pagoda road and Anawrahta road where shootings took place yesterday, about six blocks away from the Pansodan junction with Anawrahta road where more than 10,000 people were protesting.

Another group of 5,000-10,000 protestors assembled at around 3.30pm in the Chinatown area at the junction of Strand road and Keile road, also cursing government security forces. No government troops, guards or supporters were seen at this location.

“It’s like they’re trying not to upset the Chinese. We’ve seen an army truck passing by Chinatown, but no troops have been deployed,” said a Rangoon resident.

The group moved on towards Sule pagoda road but was broken up at around 4pm by government troops from battalion 66 firing slingshots at them.

Four army trucks were seen, one with a loudspeaker urging residents not to provide refuge to protestors and ordering them to refrain from firing slingshots at security forces from their homes. The announcements threatened action against anyone sheltering protestors.

There have also been reports that warning shots were fired at demonstrations at Theingyizay market, but these were not said to have been aimed directly into the crowds.

Reporting by Than Win Htut and Aye Nai

english.dvb.no

**Mid** · 28-09-2007, 07:38 PM

Admin: At Nyaung-U, the followers of SPDC has been forcing every household to send out at least one family member to protest as set up protest - "protesting against the monks and protesters". The order was out a while ago. SPDC is trying to lure the UN envoy's visit to Myanmar with these kind of set ups. Therefore, Mr.Gambari should know how to differentiate between the real protesters and those who were FORCED to protest against the civil unrest.

Cbox

**Mid** · 28-09-2007, 08:00 PM

Regina rally backs monks' protest
Ciaran Dickson, The Leader-Post
Published: Friday, September 28, 2007

Concerned Regina citizens, including members of the refugee community, rallied ion Thursday to show support for the citizens of Myanmar.

Usandawara, a monk from Myanmar, leads a protest on conditions in Myanmar in Victoria Park in Regina on Thursday. Usandawara arrived in Canada in September and hopes to be given permanent residency in Canada.
Don Healy, The Leader-Post

snip

canada.com

**Mid** · 28-09-2007, 08:01 PM

September 28, 2007

Army mutiny reported in Rangoon

Troops refuse to fire on crowds
Reports from Rangoon suggest soldiers are mutinying. It is unclear the numbers involved. Reports cite heavy shooting in the former Burmese capital.
The organisation Helfen ohne Grenzen (Help without Frontiers) is reporting that "Soldiers from LID (Light Infantry Divison) #66 have turned their weapons against other SPDC soldiers and possibly police in North Okkalappa township in Rangoon and are defending the protesters. At present unsure how many soldiers involved."
Soldiers in Mandalay, where unrest has spread to as we reported this morning, are also reported to have refused orders to act against protesters.
Some reports claim that many soldiers remained in their barracks. More recent reports now maintain that soldiers from LID #99 now being sent there to confront them.
Growing numbers of protestors are gathering in Rangoon, with 10,000 reported at the Traders Hotel and 50,000 at the Thein Gyi market. The police are reported to have turned water cannons against crowds at Sule Pagoda.
Many phone lines into the Burmese state have now been cut, mobile networks have been disabled and the national internet service provider has been taken off-line.

newsdesk_mpu

September 28, 2007

‘Coup’ claimed in Rangoon

Than Shwe ‘deposed by No 2’

Military sources in Rangoon are claiming that the regime's number two, General Maung Aye (right), has staged a coup against Than Shwe, and that his troops are now guarding Aung San Suu Kyi's home. A meeting between him and Suu Kyi is expected. Maung Aye is army commander-in-chief and a renowned pragmatist.
Our diplomatic sources are also telling us that Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved to a police academy compound outside Rangoon, where she is expected to meet Maung Aye. As yet, though, we have no independent confirmation of this development

watterinja · 28-09-2007, 08:05 PM

Now, why don't the protesters promise Bush & Blair oil-rights in Burma, in exchange for their timeous assistance?

They'd be there overnight.

**chinthee** · 28-09-2007, 08:20 PM

^^ That "mutiny" and coup could have been staged as was postulated earlier. But, regardless if it leads to reforms, it can't be all bad. Chaos wouldn't do the Burmese people any good, but an orderly road to some reforms might be.

**chinthee** · 28-09-2007, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by Mid

mm: Breaking news: Near Traders Hotel, downtown Yangon _ about 10,000 ppl are starting to protest now.

That hotel is where I stayed for a couple of weeks years ago. I do remember that area. Brings the horror home a little, but only a little.

**Mid** · 28-09-2007, 08:22 PM

Speculation over possible confrontation
among Burmese generals

Troops marching to Rangoon
Burmese Air Force planes airborne

September 28, 2007 Mizzima News (Specializing News of Burma)

Top two in junta divided

"Maung Aye and his loyalists are opposed to shooting into the crowd," a source close to the military hierarchy told Mizzima referring to the major differences that the head of junta Senior General Than Shwe and his second-in-command, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye have over the brutal crack down on protesters in Burma.

**Mid** · 28-09-2007, 08:38 PM

Støtt burmeserne: Send inn ditt bilde!

(VG Nett)Folk over hele verden markerer sin støtte til det burmesiske folk ved å ha på seg en rød skjorte eller t-skjorte. Gjør det du også!

vg.no

**Mid** · 28-09-2007, 08:40 PM

Breaking News

Top Generals Disagree over Bloody Crackdown

Rangoon, Late Afternoon—Unconfirmed reports say there are unusual troop movements underway in Rangoon, amid reports that Snr-Gen Than Shwe, the junta’s chief, and Vice Snr-Gen Maung Aye, his second in command and the commander in chief of the army, have disagreed over the response to the recent demonstrations.

Diplomatic sources in Bangkok said Maung Aye is scheduled to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi, and that he disagreed with the bloody crackdown that has been underway for three days.

A diplomatic source told The Irrawaddy that Suu Kyi has been taken to Yemon Military Camp on the outskirts of Rangoon.

http://www.irrawaddy.org/

**Mid** · 28-09-2007, 08:49 PM

Burma Protests: the Situation on September 28

Chiang Mai, Thailand; 7 p.m.—Between 250 and 300 protesters turned out in Chiang Mai to pledge support for the monks and the demonstrators in Burma.

The peaceful vigil, organized by local Burmese dissidents, Thai journalists and international NGOs, took place at 5 p.m. at the northern capital’s Three Kings’ Monument.

Protesters wore red shirts to symbolize the blood that had already been spilled in Rangoon; they also signed petitions, sang Burmese songs and unfurled banners calling for human rights and democracy in Burma.

Co-organizer Wandee Suntivutimetee said, “We need to gather Chiang Mai people and inform them what is happening in Burma.”

She added that on Saturday volunteers and sympathizers would meet at Wat Suandok temple in Chiang Mai at 10 a.m. to make merit, talk to the monks and pray for the people of Burma.

irrawaddy.org

watterinja · 28-09-2007, 08:52 PM

^ Would be nice if the resident Thai Generalismo could make decent comments regarding the Burmese slaughter, instead of supporting the Burmese Junta's actions.

**chinthee** · 28-09-2007, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by watterinja

^ Would be nice if the resident Thai Generalismo could make decent comments regarding the Burmese slaughter, instead of supporting the Burmese Junta's actions.

Kinda hard for the pot to call the kettle black...

**Mid** · 28-09-2007, 08:58 PM

duplicate appoligies , lost me place ..................

watterinja · 28-09-2007, 08:59 PM

^^ Agreed. I wonder how many Thai's took note of his comments?

**DrB0b** · 28-09-2007, 09:06 PM

Originally Posted by chinthee

Originally Posted by watterinja

^ Would be nice if the resident Thai Generalismo could make decent comments regarding the Burmese slaughter, instead of supporting the Burmese Junta's actions.

Kinda hard for the pot to call the kettle black...

The reaction of the Thai people and monks I've spoken to here in Chiang Mai has been nothing short of repulsive. The monks say the Burmese monks should not be involved in politics, these are the same monks who not too long ago marched against liqour companies being listed in the stock exchange and who demonstrated in favour of making Buddhism the state religion in the constitution, they told me the Burmese monks deserved death as their job is to stay in temples and chant. The ordinary people say they don't care as the Burmese are not human anyway, and, in the end, it doesn't affect them personally so why should they worry, som nam na. The newspapers, with the exception of the English language press, and TV are relegating it to the bottom of the news. Meanwhile the nation is in mourning because a singer with a distinct resemblance to Saddam Hussein has just died in a car crash. God help them, it's not that they're bad people but everything they've been taught has taught them not to care about anybody who's not Thai or who's not part of their family.

watterinja · 28-09-2007, 09:16 PM

^ DrBob, that was a very interesting observation. Thanks for that.

Typical Thai arrogance towards their neighbours is something I have never been able to stomach. Their time will come, I'll wager.

**chinthee** · 28-09-2007, 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by watterinja

^ DrBob, that was a very interesting observation. Thanks for that.

Typical Thai arrogance towards their neighbours is something I have never been able to stomach. Their time will come, I'll wager.

Yes, thanks to Dr. Bob on this very lucid and realistic assessment. In my experience, Thais have nothing but contempt for Burmese; worse than any hatred I ever saw in Europe against the Germans.

The only common thread is Buddhism. They do respect that and think it's unconscionable for that reason.

**Mid** · 28-09-2007, 09:31 PM

YESTERDAY

These pictures are from yesterday(27/09/07)

ko htike's prosaic collection

**Boon Mee** · 28-09-2007, 10:00 PM

Apologies for coming into this thread kinda late but this guy seems to have some late-breaking news on what's going on. Sorry if this is old news.

**Mid** · 28-09-2007, 10:12 PM

Hundreds protest in London against Myanmar violence
Posted 30 min ago by

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the embassy of Myanmar in London Friday to protest against the continuing crackdown on peace marchers by the military junta in the south-east Asian country.

Between 300 and 400 people took part in the London protest, the biggest so far in the British capital since the violent crackdown began.

digitaljournal.com

snip

**Mid** · 28-09-2007, 10:15 PM

Morning Buzz: Sept. 28, 2007
September 28, 2007 10:41 AM ET

Government soldiers moved today to break up large demonstrations in Myanmar, formerly Burma. They clubbed activists, raided monasteries, and cut Internet access, raising international fears that more killing is to come. At least 10 protesters are reported dead.

usnews.com

**Mid** · 28-09-2007, 10:20 PM

SNAPSHOT: Latest developments in Myanmar protests

Fri Sep 28, 2007 10:29am EDT

(Reuters) - Here are the latest developments in the pro-democracy protests in Myanmar on Friday.

HEADLINES
* Night-time curfew extended by four hours in a restive district of north Yangon.
* Soldiers charge several hundred chanting protesters in central Yangon, sending people scurrying for cover down side alleys; several shots fired; few monks among crowds.
* Japan says will send envoy to investigate killing of Japanese video journalist. * Scores of demonstrations across Asia, many protesters wear red to symbolize the blood spilt in the crackdown.
* UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari is way to Myanmar after junta consented to visit.

QUOTES
"May the people who beat monks be struck down by lightning." - protesters chant in Yangon
"They are shooting people in the street and the EU response is to set up a committee. A delay will be seen as a green light by the regime that it can carry on shooting without facing consequences." - Mark Farmaner of the Burma Campaign U.K.
"I don't see this as an uprising by the population and I don't see any possibility that the protests will lead to a change in the regime." - Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, U.N. investigator on human rights in Myanmar.
"Now is the time for the Japanese government to lead the international community and ask the military junta to fulfill its responsibility and immediately end this bloody tragedy." - Japan's opposition Democratic Party secretary-general Yukio Hatoyama.

reuters.com

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