News from Inside Burma

Source: Nik Nayman

According to a soldier, part of a regiment on duty at one of Rangoon's universities, government agents have been compiling details of 9 university students whom they suspect have been involved in politics. They apparently took leading roles in the Saffron Revolution in September along with the monks. The agents are reported to have obtained their full names and their addresses, and investigations were still ongoing. These students are expected to be detained when they return after the vacation.

It was also reported that during the recent examinations at the same university, students who wore black were made to sign an agreement. Niknayman reported that the invigilators followed the students to make them sign the agreements, which stated that they will stop wearing black to the examination. This has left many students baffled and unhappy; they also expressed solidarity with the monks, and said they would continue wearing black or red in support of the Saffron Revolution.

In another university in Rangoon, a student was arrested last month in connection with anti-junta posters.

For the original article in Burmese, please click here.

Wanted Dead or Alive: Than Shwe

Source: Ko Htike

A group of overseas Burmese have started a campaign offering a monetary reward for the assassination (or capture) of junta leader, Than Shwe.

An announcement was put up on the 5th December at Ko Htike’s blog to alert readers to the campaign. A well-known blogger who gained recognition for up-to-date news about the Saffron Revolution, Ko Htike wrote in the post that anyone who wanted to make a contribution should contact him directly.

So far, the visitors to the blog have pledged over USD 12,000. Ko Htike himself has pledged 5,000,000 kyat (~ USD 3865).

He added that an official committee will be founded to keep track of the money collected. Should Than Shwe relinquish power or die of natural causes, the money will be refunded to the contributors, or donated to charity in accordance to the wishes of the contributors.

For the original article in Burmese, please click here.

Poet Arrested for Citing Poetry at Lu-Du Daw A-Mar's Birthday

Source: Nik Nayman

A well-known poet has been detained after reciting poetry at author Lu Du Daw A-Mar’s 90^th birthday, according to sources in the Military Intelligence. For the sake of his career, the pseudonym of the poet cannot be published.

Other poets, hunted by junta, have reportedly gone into hiding.

One of the poets on the run said: “We were merely handing out poetry pamphlets. It wasn’t as if we were carrying out protests or using any type of force. It’s funny how they tried to hunt us down as though we’re criminals. But we wont be afraid even if we get arrested. When we’re released, we’ll carry on fighting for our people. I believe our friend in detention feels the same way.”

For the original article in Burmese, please follow this link: http://niknayman.blogspot.com/2007/12/blog-post_6460.html

Note from FP:

1.       Lu Du Daw A-Mar is known for her hard line stance against the junta.

2.       Junta is notorious for banning the works of artistes for the slightest provocation. Please refer to our earlier report (http://flamingpeacocks.blogspot.com/2007/12/junta-bans-wedding-announcement-of.html) for more details.

Father of Ashin Gambira Released from Detention

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma

U Min Lwin, the father of Saffron Revolution leader Ashin Gambira, has been released from detention a week after the family told news agencies that they did not know of his whereabouts. He has reportedly been held in a prison in Mandalay for a month after being arrested on the 4^th of November. He arrived home Tuesday evening.

Three other men were released along with him; they were taken into custody for allegedly helping to pass money to U Gambira.

U Min Lwin told DVB that he was informed that U Gambira was held in the notorious Insein Jail only after being released,. He declined to elaborate on his stay in prison except to say that the conditions he encountered were to be expected. He said he was happy to be reunited with his family, and hoped that the truth will help his two sons, U Gambira and older brother Ko Aung Kyaw Kyaw, who are still in detention. Ashin Gambira has earlier been charged with treason.

For the original article in Burmese, please follow this link: http://burmese.dvb.no/news.php?id=3032

Senior General Than Shwe Rumoured to be Dying

Source: The Irrawaddy

Sources in Singapore told The Irrawaddy that Senior General Than Shwe, current junta head, had in January sought treatment for cancer, and kidney problems in a hospital in Singapore. They speculate that he will die within the next few years.

The same sources said that Than Shwe was advised to undergo surgery as the illnesses he was suffering from were potentially life-threatening. He, however refused, reportedly choosing to return to Rangoon to consult with astrologers, a decision that astounded his physicians.

According to other sources, Than Shwe also suffered from diabetes and high blood pressure.

Than Shwe’s health has been steadily deteriorating in the past year, and much speculation has been going on about the possible candidates for his successor. Should he pass on while still in reign, changes in policy maybe possible, analysts say. In 1988, then supreme, General Nay Win, in a carefully planned move, handed power to trusted aides, ensuring a smooth transition (and leaving Burma in continued military rule).

In the past, General Nay Win, who ruled the country from 1962 to 1988, used to go to the UK for healthcare. However, Burma’s current leaders usually go to Singapore as sanctions prevent them from entering the US and countries in the EU.

For the original article in Burmese, please follow this link: http://www.irrawaddy.org/bur/news2007/December/dec_03b_07.html

September Protests are Insignificant, says Burmese Minister

Source: Radio Free Asia

General Kyaw San, Minister of Information & Communication, said Monday that compared to the entire population of Burma, the number of people who took to the streets in August and September was insignificant.

At the news conference held in Naypyidaw, the new administrative capital of Burma, General Kyaw San pronounced the protest leaders as fake monks who were instigated by overseas dissident groups and foreign interference. He added that the government has reliable evidence to believe that these fake monks were ex-convicts who were influenced by dissident groups, and that the government had managed to take control of the situation before they could convince the public to take part.

He also told reporters that the government was going ahead with the 7-step democracy roadmap, and it will accept neither advice or help from any other organization.

Liaison Minister, Aung Kyi, told reporters that the meetings with Daw Aung San Su Kyi, the opposition leader who has been under house arrest for 12 years, showed promise, without elaborating further.

At the same conference, Chief of Police, General Khin Yi, said that the protestors aimed to topple the government. He accused a group, Forum for Democracy in Burma, of forming an alliance with dissident groups to incite the public to carry out protests. He also alleged that political activists were carrying out anti-government activities at the US embassy in Rangoon. He maintained that only 10 people were killed during the crackdown.

For the original article in Burmese, please follow this link: http://www.rfa.org/burmese/news/2007/12/03/news_conference_held_in_naypyidaw/

Comedian Zarganar Disappointed by News Agencies

Source: Dr Lun Swe

Zarganar on Saturday said that he felt let down by reporters who did not respect his requests to keep certain information from being published. He told a reporter from drlunswe.blogspot.com that certain off-the-record information he gave to reporters were published or broadcast, resulting in arrests of people whose names were mentioned. He also added that on one occasion, he had asked a news agency to keep the name of a monastery confidential, but the name was subsequently published, and this has in turn caused people to shy away from visiting the monastery, resulting in a loss of alms for the resident monks.

Zarganar, in recent days, has stopped granting interviews to most news agencies.

For the original article in Burmese, please follow this link: http://drlunswe.blogspot.com/2007/12/blog-post.html

Burma on UN Secretary-General's Agenda during Thailand, Bali Visit

Source: The Irrawaddy

Burma and the efforts initiated by the special UN envoy for the country, Ibrahim Gambari, will be one of the major items on the agenda of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon when he meets with Southeast Asia leaders during the Bali meeting on climate change.

Ban is expected to use the opportunity to discuss Burma with regional leaders and the recent efforts to establish democracy, ensure human rights and speed the release of political prisoners including the democracy icon, Aung San Suu Kyi.

“Throughout the region, in his bilateral meetings with most heads of state and governments, the secretary-general will not talk only about climate change.  Myanmar will be an issue discussed,” said a spokesperson.

For the full report, please follow this link: http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=9496

Entertainment Industry Pressured to Condemn DASSK's Statement

Source: Dr Lun Swe

People in the Burmese Entertainment Industry were forced to attend a meeting on Sunday, during which they were made to sign a petition condemning the statement issued by Daw Aung San Su Kyi through UN Special Envoy Professor Gambari. The meeting was led by a few junta supporters with influence in the industry, including a prominent director and a producer. The petition also included content which expressed support for the public rallies advocating the junta’s roadmap to democracy. It is reported that the signed petition will be made public and a copy will be displayed at the (industry) Association’s premises.

For the original article in Burmese, please follow this link: http://drlunswe.blogspot.com/2007/12/blog-post_02.html

Monks Arrested After Submitting Application Form for Exams

Source: Radio Free Asia

RFA reported Sunday that 5 monks residing in Rangoon were arrested after submitting their application forms to sit for religious exams. These monks were arrested after their photos submitted together with the forms were matched by authorities with the photos taken of the protests which occurred in September. RFA reported that the arrests have alarmed other student monks, and many were afraid to submit their applications.

The exams are slated to be held in the last month of the lunar calendar which coincides with the month of March. On the 17th of November, the All Burma Monks' Alliance released a statement urging all monks to boycott the state-run exams.

For the original report in Burmese, please click here.

Burmese Muslim Association Denouces Closure of Maggin Monastery

Source: Nik Nayman

Burmese Muslim Association released a statement on Saturday, condemning the junta for the closure of Maggin Monastery. In the statement, the Association also vowed to continue fighting for the freedom of the people of Burma.

For the original statement in Burmese, please follow this link: http://niknayman.blogspot.com/2007/12/blog-post.html

Revolution Song: To The Flying Peacocks

Written and sung by Myo Chit Myanmar

Blogger Myo Chit Myanmar has created a song echoing the sentiments of patriotic Burmese worldwide. Flying Peacocks has attempted to translate a paragraph with the permission of the songwriter.

"Our heads maybe bleeding but we will not bow down
Braving wounds, standing up (to our beliefs), our spirits will never die
The new generation of our people are forging ahead;
Rebelling against Power, fighting against Resistance, the peacocks will fly"

To listen to the song, please click here.

For the original lyrics in Burmese, please click here.

Missing: The Father of Sangha Leader Ashin Gambira

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma

DVB reported on Tuesday that the father of Ashin Gambira, who was arrested early this month, has been detained after trying to see his son in prison on the 12th of November. Subsequently, the family has had no news of him.

The mother of the monk told DVB that on the 16th of this month, the family was able to pass some packages to U Gambira, his father U Min Lwin, and his elder brother Ko Aung Kyaw Kyaw, who were believed to be held in Insein Jail, but were not allowed to meet the detainees.

On the 22nd, the family received news that they were allowed visits with the detainees. However, when they finally arrived in Rangoon on the 23rd, from their hometown MeiTiLa, prison officials informed them that U Min Lwin was not being held in Insein Jail.

The detainees have since been allowed another visitation session with the family, but only one of the daughters who is based in Rangoon, was able to go. As of Monday, the family in MeiTiLa, has yet to receive any news from her.

Daw Yay, the mother of U Gambira, told DVB that she was worried for her 70 year old husband who has only recently recovered from a stroke. However, she added that she was proud of her son's role in the protests, as he was acting on behalf of the people, without any self-interest whatsoever.

For the original article in Burmese, please click here.

Campaign: Jan 4 - Free Burma from 45 Years of Military Oppression

Source: Nik Nayman

International Burmese Monks Organisation Inc, on 24^th of November (Full Moon Day of TanSaungMone), released a statement calling Burmese in and outside Burma to act on their desire for a free Burma. In the statement, the organization urged Burmese worldwide to participate in the freedom movement, on the 4^th of January, 2008, Independence Day of Burma, by carrying out the following:

1.       Wearing red to commemorate the September Saffron Revolution

2.       Resuming the Saffron Revolution

3.       Issuing statements to bring the attention of the world to the lack of freedom in Burma

For the original article in Burmese, please follow this link: http://niknayman.blogspot.com/2007/11/blog-post_25.html

Civil Servants Transferred Out of City for Offering Water and Food to Protesting Monks

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma

Chauk, MaGuay State: A source told DVB that civil servants who offered water and monks to protesting monks have received outbound transfers to provincial towns.

There were reportedly about 10 civil servants who have been transferred to out-of-the-way towns with poor access. The source added that the families of these civil servants were facing difficulties relocating.

For the original article in Burmese, please click here.

Su Su Nway on Hunger Strike

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma

Sources told DVB that anti-junta activist Su Su Nway is currently on hunger strike in custody. She was arrested on Tuesday for putting up anti-government posters at the MyaYeikNyo Hotel in Bahan Township. Along with her, NLD member Bo BO Win Hlaing, and the driver of the taxi she was riding in, were also taken into custody.

The taxi driver has been identified as a 60 year old man named U Khin Soe. The taxi has also been impounded, said a source close to the family.

A fellow taxi driver told DVB that the man has never been involved in the politics, and that on that day, the taxi has been hired by Su Su Nway to go to the airport. When the taxi stopped at MyaYeikNyo, a scuffle has broke out at the hotel, and he was instructed to drive off. He was arrested the next day on his way home.

For the original article in Burmese, please click here.

German Buddhist Association Demands Release of Monks

Source: Nik Nayman

Kolner Buddhismus Center e.V, a Buddhist Association based in Germany, released a statement of Tuesday calling for Burmese junta to cease the arrest, torture, and murder of all Buddhist monks, and to immediately release the detained monks unconditionally.

The KBC added that it was extremely upset over the news that one of the leaders of the revolution, U Gambira, has been detained by junta.

For the original article in Burmese, please click here.

Monks in MaiHtiLa Still Carrying Out Patta-nikkujjana Against Officials

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma

A resident of MaiHtiLa told DVB that two monasteries were still carrying out the vow of Patta-nikkujjana against government officials and organisationg despite increasing pressure. According to the resident, while the monks are forced to accept food offerings from such personnel, they have been redistributing it among the poor.

"End of The Buddhist Lent means that the monks will have to go out on alms rounds. But what they receive from these people, they give away to the poor. The monasteries are cooking their own meals instead."

"Sometimes, the monks have to accept inivtations from the Official's house for food offering. But they will still abstain from eating there."

According to another resident, majority of the monks in MaiHtiLa are still keeping to their vow of Patta-nikkujjana.

For the original article in Burmese, please click here.

Public Stops Worship of Junta's Abbott

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma

DVB Friday reported that once-famous Kya Khat Wine Sayadaw of Pegu, has lost the respect of many of his devotees for siding openly with the junta.

Residents told DVB that many have stopped offering alms to the monks of the monastery during the morning alms rounds, and patrons of the monastery has also stopped making cash contributions.

"In the past, almost everyone used to make offerings during the morning alms rounds. But now, only the fanatics continue to support the monastery. The Abbott used to be much respected throughout the state, but his actions have alienated the public. There used to be monthly donations in terms of cash and food, and a medical fund. They have all been stopped."

"The Abbott doesn't seem to care, because he has more than 3000 lakh (1 lakh ~ 68 USD) in the coffers. He said something to that effect during one of the prayer sessions; that it didn't matter if he was left with just one worthy disciple."

The source added that many of the monks residing in the monastery have left as a result of the Abbott's anti-foreign media propaganda.

"One of the frequent visitors to the monastery told us that before every meal, the monks are made to repeat phrases that condemn the foreign media. The people living near the monastery said many of the monks have left at the end of Buddhist Lent because they were unhappy over such incidents. The number of monks have been reduced to just over 300."

The resident also told DVB that town council members and USDC members were made to attend the light festival celebrations in the monastery as the devotees, who used to turn up in large numbers for such events, boycotted the event.

For the original article in Burmese, please click here.

To read our earlier reports on Kya Khat Wine Sayadaw, please follow these links:
1. Rasputin of Burma Identified
2. Junta's Strategy: Use Soldiers as Scapegoats to Exterminate Monks and Students

Pilgrims to Show ID Cards At Entrance of Shwe Dagon

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma

The Management Committee of Shwe Dagon Pagoda put up notices on Friday that all pilgrims must bring their identification cards in order to be allowed entry.

Security was also especially tight at the Eastern gate, and thorough checks are being conducted on monks, said an eye witness.

"There is a large notice at the entrance. I have yet to see any civilians being checked, but all monks have to go through security. If a monk does not have his identification card, he is not allowed to go up. Security is very tight, especially on Tuesdays."

The source added that it was disturbing to see security forces on the grounds of the pagoda.

For the original articles in Burmese, please click here.