International Bloggers' Day for BURMA on the 4th of October
Myanmar Leader Willing to Meet Opponent
By THOMAS FULLER
BANGKOK, Oct. 4 — Myanmar’s military junta broke its silence today about the brutal crackdown on protesters, making a heavily qualified offer to meet with the pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and acknowledging that more than 1,400 people are still being detained.
The junta offered to hold talks with Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi but only if she abandoned her attitude of “confrontation” and repealed her call for foreign sanctions on the country. The announcement was made on the nightly radio and television newscasts, which are monitored by wire services.
State media said that during a meeting in Myanmar earlier this week, Senior Gen. Than Shwe, the leader of the junta, told Ibrahim Gambari, the United Nations envoy, that Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi “has called for confrontation, utter devastation, economic sanctions and all other sanctions.”
If she “announces publicly she has given up these four things, he would hold direct talks” with her, General Than Shwe told Mr. Gambari, according to Myanmar media.
Dissident groups from Myanmar, formerly Burma, were scathing in their appraisal of the proposal.
“This is meaningless — this is just for show,” said Aung Din, the policy director of the United States Campaign for Burma, a Washington-based group working to bring democracy to the country. “There are economic sanctions against Burma not because of Aung San Suu Kyi but because of the military rulers. He has to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi without any conditions.”
State media also announced today that 2,093 people were arrested in the crackdown and that 692 had been released. This is the first time the secretive junta has released any numbers on its daily arrests during the crackdown.
One of those released today was an employee of the United Nations in Myanmar, Myint Ngwe Mon, who was taken from her home with her husband and two other people on Wednesday. Her release was confirmed by Charles Petrie, the most senior official for the United Nations in the country, but no further details were available about the reasons for her detention and release.
David Mathieson, an expert on Myanmar with the international rights group Human Rights Watch, said the junta’s numbers on its arrests “seem very plausible.” He added: “That’s certainly very similar to what we’ve been hearing.”
Mr. Mathieson said he believed the junta broke its silence because of pressure from neighboring countries such as China and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
“I think it’s a reflection of pressure coming from the outside,” he said.
Pressure has also come from the United Nations. Mr. Gambari, the United Nations envoy, asked that the government offer more information on the detentions during his meeting with the leader of the junta, said Mr. Petrie, who was present in the meeting.
The junta has announced that 10 people were killed in the crackdown, a number that diplomats in Yangon and other analysts believe may be an underestimation.
Public pressure has come from the United States, which last week expanded its visa ban on Myanmar’s military leaders and their families, and the European Union, which on Wednesday agreed in principle to toughen sanctions against Myanmar.
The public reaction from China, which is thought to have the most sway over Myanmar’s generals, has been more restrained. A statement by the spokesman of China’s Foreign Ministry Wednesday praised the “mediation” by the United Nations.
Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi and Gen. Than Shwe have met only a few times since elections in 1990, when Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi’s party won a landslide victory that was ignored by the generals.
By THOMAS FULLER
BANGKOK, Oct. 4 — Myanmar’s military junta broke its silence today about the brutal crackdown on protesters, making a heavily qualified offer to meet with the pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and acknowledging that more than 1,400 people are still being detained.
The junta offered to hold talks with Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi but only if she abandoned her attitude of “confrontation” and repealed her call for foreign sanctions on the country. The announcement was made on the nightly radio and television newscasts, which are monitored by wire services.
State media said that during a meeting in Myanmar earlier this week, Senior Gen. Than Shwe, the leader of the junta, told Ibrahim Gambari, the United Nations envoy, that Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi “has called for confrontation, utter devastation, economic sanctions and all other sanctions.”
If she “announces publicly she has given up these four things, he would hold direct talks” with her, General Than Shwe told Mr. Gambari, according to Myanmar media.
Dissident groups from Myanmar, formerly Burma, were scathing in their appraisal of the proposal.
“This is meaningless — this is just for show,” said Aung Din, the policy director of the United States Campaign for Burma, a Washington-based group working to bring democracy to the country. “There are economic sanctions against Burma not because of Aung San Suu Kyi but because of the military rulers. He has to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi without any conditions.”
State media also announced today that 2,093 people were arrested in the crackdown and that 692 had been released. This is the first time the secretive junta has released any numbers on its daily arrests during the crackdown.
One of those released today was an employee of the United Nations in Myanmar, Myint Ngwe Mon, who was taken from her home with her husband and two other people on Wednesday. Her release was confirmed by Charles Petrie, the most senior official for the United Nations in the country, but no further details were available about the reasons for her detention and release.
David Mathieson, an expert on Myanmar with the international rights group Human Rights Watch, said the junta’s numbers on its arrests “seem very plausible.” He added: “That’s certainly very similar to what we’ve been hearing.”
Mr. Mathieson said he believed the junta broke its silence because of pressure from neighboring countries such as China and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
“I think it’s a reflection of pressure coming from the outside,” he said.
Pressure has also come from the United Nations. Mr. Gambari, the United Nations envoy, asked that the government offer more information on the detentions during his meeting with the leader of the junta, said Mr. Petrie, who was present in the meeting.
The junta has announced that 10 people were killed in the crackdown, a number that diplomats in Yangon and other analysts believe may be an underestimation.
Public pressure has come from the United States, which last week expanded its visa ban on Myanmar’s military leaders and their families, and the European Union, which on Wednesday agreed in principle to toughen sanctions against Myanmar.
The public reaction from China, which is thought to have the most sway over Myanmar’s generals, has been more restrained. A statement by the spokesman of China’s Foreign Ministry Wednesday praised the “mediation” by the United Nations.
Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi and Gen. Than Shwe have met only a few times since elections in 1990, when Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi’s party won a landslide victory that was ignored by the generals.
Overnight Arrests of Monks Continue in Rangoon
By Wai Moe
October 4, 2007
Five monasteries were raided in Rangoon and about 36 monks were arrested overnight on Wednesday, after receiving beatings from soldiers.
Burmese soldiers patrol the streets in downtown Rangoon [Photo: AFP]“They (soldiers) came and searched for monks on their lists,” a monk told The Irrawaddy. The soldiers had photographs of monks, and if they found a monk who was in a photograph, they arrested all the monks in the monastery, said the monk.
Raided monasteries included Shwetaungpaw, Dhammazaya and Sandilayama monasteries in South Okkalapa Township and Zayawaddy and Pannitayama in North Okkalapa Township. Two mobile telephones that belonged to monks were also seized by troops, said the source.
The raids in the North Okkalapa monasteries started around 10 p.m. and ended in early morning, said Nilar Thein, a leader of the 88 Generation Students group. “Monks requested soldiers not to use violent acts on them. But soldiers neglected their requests.” she said.
The raids on monasteries in South Okkalapa Township began at midnight and ended at dawn. Everyone in the monasteries, including laymen, women and children, were taken away.
Security forces also entered a monastery at Chauk Htat Gyee Pagoda in Rangoon searching for specific monks.
At Maggin Monastery in Rangoon, authorities took photographs of HIV positive laypeople that are housed at the monastery and questioned them regarding interviews with a foreign radio station.
Sometimes arrests are like “kidnappings,” said one source, because soldiers might ask for up to 200,000 kyat (about US $130) for the release of unimportant detainees.
Overnight raids on monasteries began on September 26, the day the junta started its crackdown on peaceful protesters.
“I also heard some monks under detention at GTI (the Government Technology Institute) died,” said a Rangoon resident.
Soldiers are also looking for people who provided water or food to monks during the mass protests, said one source.
Also on Wednesday night, soldiers, searching for information, entered the home of a prominent former student leader, Min Ko Naing, who is under arrest.
In Taungdwingyi in central Burma, three men, Aung Ko, Kyaw Naing and Bo Ni, were arrested around midnight on Wednesday. All are members of the National League for Democracy.
According to Rangoon residents, security checkpoints are still scattered around the city. Soldiers stop and search civilians, particularly young people who carry bags.
Dissidents in Rangoon estimate there are 1,200 monks detained among an estimated 3,000 people arrested during the mass protests in Burma.
Monks are currently detained in Insein Prison, the Government Technology Institute and Kyaikkasan Stadium in Rangoon. Many monasteries in Rangoon remain locked up, and monks are unable to go out for alms, say Rangoon residents.
Five monasteries were raided in Rangoon and about 36 monks were arrested overnight on Wednesday, after receiving beatings from soldiers.
Burmese soldiers patrol the streets in downtown Rangoon [Photo: AFP]“They (soldiers) came and searched for monks on their lists,” a monk told The Irrawaddy. The soldiers had photographs of monks, and if they found a monk who was in a photograph, they arrested all the monks in the monastery, said the monk.
Raided monasteries included Shwetaungpaw, Dhammazaya and Sandilayama monasteries in South Okkalapa Township and Zayawaddy and Pannitayama in North Okkalapa Township. Two mobile telephones that belonged to monks were also seized by troops, said the source.
The raids in the North Okkalapa monasteries started around 10 p.m. and ended in early morning, said Nilar Thein, a leader of the 88 Generation Students group. “Monks requested soldiers not to use violent acts on them. But soldiers neglected their requests.” she said.
The raids on monasteries in South Okkalapa Township began at midnight and ended at dawn. Everyone in the monasteries, including laymen, women and children, were taken away.
Security forces also entered a monastery at Chauk Htat Gyee Pagoda in Rangoon searching for specific monks.
At Maggin Monastery in Rangoon, authorities took photographs of HIV positive laypeople that are housed at the monastery and questioned them regarding interviews with a foreign radio station.
Sometimes arrests are like “kidnappings,” said one source, because soldiers might ask for up to 200,000 kyat (about US $130) for the release of unimportant detainees.
Overnight raids on monasteries began on September 26, the day the junta started its crackdown on peaceful protesters.
“I also heard some monks under detention at GTI (the Government Technology Institute) died,” said a Rangoon resident.
Soldiers are also looking for people who provided water or food to monks during the mass protests, said one source.
Also on Wednesday night, soldiers, searching for information, entered the home of a prominent former student leader, Min Ko Naing, who is under arrest.
In Taungdwingyi in central Burma, three men, Aung Ko, Kyaw Naing and Bo Ni, were arrested around midnight on Wednesday. All are members of the National League for Democracy.
According to Rangoon residents, security checkpoints are still scattered around the city. Soldiers stop and search civilians, particularly young people who carry bags.
Dissidents in Rangoon estimate there are 1,200 monks detained among an estimated 3,000 people arrested during the mass protests in Burma.
Monks are currently detained in Insein Prison, the Government Technology Institute and Kyaikkasan Stadium in Rangoon. Many monasteries in Rangoon remain locked up, and monks are unable to go out for alms, say Rangoon residents.
Rangoon Is Still a Battleground
By Shah Paung
October 4, 2007
Rangoon, Burma’s former capital and its biggest city, is still a battleground, where terror reigns.
The territory is held for now by the military forces who won the first engagement by killing their own people and the monks who called for freedom from four decades of oppression. The temporary victors, the “Tatmadaw” (or armed forces) continue to arrest, beat, torture and kill innocent people.
“They regard monks and ordinary people as their enemies,” said a Rangoon woman. “They have searched monasteries and houses and arrested those whom they suspect. What are they going to achieve by killing innocent people?”
The woman was ordered to leave the Kyaikkasan Pagoda on September 27 as she prayed for the demonstrators and monks facing violent reaction by troops and security forces. The military are hunting one of her young brothers who was involved in the demonstrations.
CNN news coverage shows smiling soldiers beating and kicking the peaceful demonstrators and forcing them into trucks.
According to the 88 Generation Students group and the National League for Democracy, at least 130 deaths occurred nationwide and about 3,000 monks and their supporters have been arrested since the peaceful demonstrations started in August 19.
Dissident groups, however, put the figures higher, saying at least 200 people have died and about 6,000 people have been arrested.
Monks in monasteries across the country are continuing to refuse alms from members of the military regime and their families, and the authorities have banned the public from providing them with food. Monks in some monasteries in Mandalay are drying their remaining rice in the sun.
Security around monasteries in Mandalay remains tight, and the authorities continue to search for people who took part in demonstrations there.
In Rangoon, a woman resident said the authorities were touring the city announcing they had the photographs and other documents of people who participated in the demonstrations. Nighttime raids continued on Rangoon homes.
“The soldiers entered our house without asking permission and searched everywhere,” she said, “People didn’t dare to complain and we didn’t even dare move our eyes. They arrest and even kill anybody who moves.”
Another Rangoon resident said the authorities were conducting a census of National League for Democracy members and university students. Buses and taxis were being checked for suspects. Cyclists were being stopped at security barriers. “Rangoon is now really a battleground,” he said.
Troops are deployed everywhere in Rangoon, stationed at pagodas, monasteries and street junctions.
One Rangoon woman said: “Soldiers in front of my house have been sharpening their bayonets. That shows how much they thirst for blood and how cruel they are.”
Released detainees, monks and residents alike agree that the demonstrations aren’t over yet. “Weapons can’t stop us,” said one protestor. “We will continue until we get freedom.”
Rangoon, Burma’s former capital and its biggest city, is still a battleground, where terror reigns.
The territory is held for now by the military forces who won the first engagement by killing their own people and the monks who called for freedom from four decades of oppression. The temporary victors, the “Tatmadaw” (or armed forces) continue to arrest, beat, torture and kill innocent people.
“They regard monks and ordinary people as their enemies,” said a Rangoon woman. “They have searched monasteries and houses and arrested those whom they suspect. What are they going to achieve by killing innocent people?”
The woman was ordered to leave the Kyaikkasan Pagoda on September 27 as she prayed for the demonstrators and monks facing violent reaction by troops and security forces. The military are hunting one of her young brothers who was involved in the demonstrations.
CNN news coverage shows smiling soldiers beating and kicking the peaceful demonstrators and forcing them into trucks.
According to the 88 Generation Students group and the National League for Democracy, at least 130 deaths occurred nationwide and about 3,000 monks and their supporters have been arrested since the peaceful demonstrations started in August 19.
Dissident groups, however, put the figures higher, saying at least 200 people have died and about 6,000 people have been arrested.
Monks in monasteries across the country are continuing to refuse alms from members of the military regime and their families, and the authorities have banned the public from providing them with food. Monks in some monasteries in Mandalay are drying their remaining rice in the sun.
Security around monasteries in Mandalay remains tight, and the authorities continue to search for people who took part in demonstrations there.
In Rangoon, a woman resident said the authorities were touring the city announcing they had the photographs and other documents of people who participated in the demonstrations. Nighttime raids continued on Rangoon homes.
“The soldiers entered our house without asking permission and searched everywhere,” she said, “People didn’t dare to complain and we didn’t even dare move our eyes. They arrest and even kill anybody who moves.”
Another Rangoon resident said the authorities were conducting a census of National League for Democracy members and university students. Buses and taxis were being checked for suspects. Cyclists were being stopped at security barriers. “Rangoon is now really a battleground,” he said.
Troops are deployed everywhere in Rangoon, stationed at pagodas, monasteries and street junctions.
One Rangoon woman said: “Soldiers in front of my house have been sharpening their bayonets. That shows how much they thirst for blood and how cruel they are.”
Released detainees, monks and residents alike agree that the demonstrations aren’t over yet. “Weapons can’t stop us,” said one protestor. “We will continue until we get freedom.”
Democracy Movement in Burma
Our source spotted Than Shwe's right hand man Tay Za in Singapore.
He changed his Burmese passport name to "Nay Ka"; he also changed his haircolor and wearing eye glasses. He is also accompanied by Than Shwe's
daughter and Than Shwe's two grandsons. According to our source, he now pretends as staying away with the funding related to Than Shwe's family.Also, Tha Yin Mya, now in Australia, is a bookkeeper for Than Shwe's family fortune.
He is also ex-army officer and he normally travels back to Burma once a month.
Recorded by NLD LA HQs
Random search and arrest on suspicion in Rangoon
October 4, 2007 - Burmese security forces in Rangoon continue rampant crackdown interrogating and arresting people on suspicion. While the crackdown continues, several security personnel are taking advantage of the situation.
People forced to attend rallies in central Burma in support of NC
October 4, 2007 - With people's blood on its hands, the Burmese military junta, which has ruthlessly put down protests, is now desperate to showcase to the world.
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