Junta Coerces Detained Women to Confess to Sexual Relations With Leaders of the Saffron Revolution

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma

DVB reported that two of the women detained were put under duress by the Home Affairs Ministry to confess to having improper relationships with the monks who led the Saffron Revolution and the Patta-nikkujanna against the junta. They were promised monetary incentives to become prosecutor witnesses to testify against the monks.

DVB interviewed Ma Ohnmar, a member of the opposition party National League for Democracy, to confirm this information and also about her experience as a detainee; she was arrested on the 25th of September and was only released a few days ago.

DVB: Can you tell us how they first arrested you?
MO: They came to my house at about 2 am on the 25th ofSeptember. An officer from Home Affairs identified himself saying they needed to search my house. They even confiscated the currency notes with General Aung San's photos. They took me at 330 in the morning. After about 4 days in a concentration camp, they transferred me to Insein Jail and I was released on the 25th of October.

DVB: What did they interrogate you about? How did they do it?
MO: They would wake us up in the middle of the night. As I'm a volunteer with the HIV patients, they asked me about the funds, how we use it, if I got any of the money for personal use. They also asked me if I knew any of the 88-Generation student leaders. As I was also involved in the march past Daw Aung San Su Kyi's house on the 22nd of October, they asked me who planned this route, if it was by the NLD leaders. What is interesting is that as the prison got more crowded, we had to share two to a room. Next to my cell were two women who were in the news for admitting having improper relations with monks in the monasteries.

MO: These women were forced to confess to such allegations. One is called Ma Ei. She was in the news for allegedly having sexual relations with U Pyi Kyaw. The other one, Hnin Hnin, from Ngwe Kyar Yan monastery.. she was videotaped making her confession, with one person teaching her what to say to the camera. She is still in prison now. They want to use her as a prosecutor witness.

DVB: So these accusations are actually made up by the authorities?
MO: Yes, it looks like they want to fabricate proof that these monks involved in the revolution are fake monks. Ma Ei was released earlier because she made the confession under duress.

DVB: Did Ma Ei herself tell you that she had no such relationships with the monks? That she was forced to make such confessions?
MO: Yes, she did.

DVB: During interrogations, did they use any torture methods?
MO: They did not physically assault me, but they witheld food and water. I was in ill health, but they denied me any treatment saying there're no medication or doctors to attend to me. Finally, late at night, they gave me some water, but the water was very dirty. There were hair, leaves, and even dead ants in it.

DVB: Did you meet anyone in the concentration camps or prison?
MO: Yes, there're currently 7 women left in prison that I know of. One is Daw Lei Lei from NLD. She's 60 years old, and has very high blood pressure and heart problems. There is also May Mee Oo, who is 4 months pregnant. She has been detained for a month. For the sake of her unborn baby, she is trying to get a nutritious diet, but it is really difficult in prison. It is crucial that these two women are released soon.

DVB: Is there anyone who was released together with you?
MO: Yes, there were 10 of us. One is an old lady, Aunty Daw Khin Pyone Yi. She was from Ngwe Kyar Yan monastery. She was there when the monastery was raided, and the Buddhist flag fell as the pole broke. So she held it up to prevent it from touching the ground. Immediately, she was surrounded by riot police and Swan Arr Shin (pro-junta thugs) who tied her hands behind her back, and beat her up nonstop as they dragged her away. By the time she got to the concentration camp, her blood pressure has shot up and she has lost consciousness. So she was admitted to Rangoon General Hospital and stayed there for 5 days. We saw her back; it was full of criss-crossed black bruises. Her back has not even healed on the day she was released.

MO: Another lady, Ma Hla Hla Nyunt, is actually from USDA. And her husband is from Swan Arr Shin group. This couple was asked by the authorities to get information by mingling with the protesters. They were promised 3000 kyats a day, and the officials also promised to help them clear all their debts. But the woman was mistakenly arrested. Even after the woman informed them that she was from USDA, she was not released. The authorities acted as if they did not send such spies. So she was only finally released together with me after submitting an appeal letter to the authorities.

DVB: In the prison, did you hear anything about the muslims who were detained, and tortured?
MO: Yes, I heard that they were severely tortured just because they are foreigners. They would also swear vulgarities at them. They said these muslims should mind their own business instead of getting involved in the protests. One of the youths was made to kneel down on rocks. After an hour, when he told them he couldn't bear with it any longer, they slapped him til his cheeks were swollen, and they forced him to ride on a motorbike for 2 hours.

DVB: So this youth was released?
MO: Yes, I was in the same bus with him after our release, and he told me about it.

DVB: Who are the people who interrogate you? Prison officials?
MO: No, it is the ones in-charge of the concentration camps. They say they're from SB. Home Affairs.

DVB: Is there something you want to highlight about your experience, after spending a month in concentration camp and in prison?
MO: (To secure my release)I had to sign a letter saying that I understand that I can be subjected to questioning at any time in the future. But what really bothers me is that in that document, there was a statement that said that I understood that I have been released only due to the compassion of the nation (sic). This is something I absolutely cannot accept. If they were so compassionate, why did they detain us in the first place?

DVB: How do you think is the feeling among the women who have been detained, and released together with you?
MO: It varies. Some have been tortured so badly that they're very much frightened now. But others, like the woman from USDA, now see things more in black and white, about how unfair and oppressive the junta is. They (junta) spread rumours that NLD is instigating unrest while they've got their own people on the inside. And when their people are mistakenly arrested, they pretend that these people do not exist. So this lady has finally seen the junta for who they are, and she has promised us never to repeat her actions again.

DVB: What plans do you have for the future?
MO: I will continue being an activist. Our country needs us. Our leaders, the 88-Generation leaders are now all in prison. If we stop now, the people will have no way out. In the concentration camp, they questioned us about our plans, and I told them that I would continue.

To listen to the interview in Burmese, please follow these links:
Part 1: http://burmese.dvb.no/news.php?id=2608
Part 2: http://burmese.dvb.no/news.php?id=2609

FT In Depth: Burma's Junta Exports Lose Sparkle

Source: Financial Times

For centuries, Burma’s gem mines have supplied some of the world’s best rubies, jade and other gemstones coveted by couture jewellers and their wealthy customers. In recent years, these stones have also been a key source of foreign exchange for a cash-starved junta, which last year earned about $300m (€209m, £146m) from state gem auctions.

But after watching television images of Burmese soldiers attacking civilians and monks, executives at Cartier, the French luxury brand, decided it was time to take a stand. Within days, they were telling their cut-stone suppliers that they would not buy any more gems mined in Burma and would conduct random checks to ensure that the stones they did buy were not coming from there.

“While it was clear before that Burma was not a democratic regime, what we were witnessing was organised state violence. This was, in a way, an emotional response for us,” says Pamela Caillens, Cartier’s corporate responsibility director.

For the full report, please click here. You will need to register with the site for full access. Registration is free.

FT In Depth: Burma Regime’s Cronies Feel Sanctions

Source: Financial Times

In early September, Tay Za, a charismatic Burmese businessman accused of having close links to the military junta, was in Singapore to launch a daily service between the city state and Rangoon for his airline, Air Bagan. The three-year-old carrier, which does most of its business within Burma, had launched daily Bangkok flights and hoped to make an ambitious regional expansion.

The right to operate an airline was just the latest in a series of lucrative concessions secured by Burma’s most powerful businessman, whose extensive interests range from hotels to logging and mobile phones.

But Air Bagan on Thursday announced it had been forced to suspend its Singapore flights starting on November 4, a move that came after Tay Za, his wife, his son, and his companies were blacklisted by the US as key supporters of the military regime.

The move was evidence that the international response to the military’s violent crackdown on peaceful protesters last month is beginning to pinch the Burmese businessmen who until now have profited from their association with the generals who control the economy.

“They must be starting to feel a little bit encircled,” said Sean Turnell, an Australian economist who edits the journal Burma Economic Watch. “These things hurt them because they want to be seen as legitimate.”

For the full report, please click here. You will need to register with the site to have full access. Registration is free.

Panty Power Campaign: The Phillipines Movement

Source: Mizzima News

Women workers in Philippines on Friday "attacked" the Burmese embassy in Makati by hurling panties in a demonstration against the junta's brutal crackdown on Burmese protesters in September.

The protest organized by Free Burma Coalition-Philippines and Alliance of Progressive Labor, had over 60 women activists on Friday pelting panties at the Burmese embassy condemning it for its brutality against its own people.

For the full story, please click here.

Australia Releases Blacklist

Australia updated its blacklist 24th October. The list, entitled, Burma Annex:
Burmese regime figures and supporters, can be found on the Reserve Bank of Australia website.

Please click here to access the list.

Singapore, Japan seek stability in Myanmar

Source: Agence France Presse via ABC-CBN News

Singapore's foreign minister said Saturday the city-state and Japan were seeking a change in policy but not of regime in military-run Myanmar, according to a report.

Foreign Minister George Yeo was visiting Tokyo, a key donor to Myanmar, in the wake of the junta's crackdown on anti-government protests that left at least 13 people dead.

"We had a meeting of minds on all the main issues, that what we seek is not a regime change but a change of policy," Yeo told Kyodo News after talks with his Japanese counterpart Masahiko Komura.

"As neighboring countries, we'll be affected if Myanmar dissolves into chaos, so we have a very strong interest in seeing stability and progress leading to democracy and development," he was quoted as saying.

For the full report, please click here.

S Africa Welcomes Regime's Talks with Suu Kyi

Source: Hindu News

South Africa has welcomed the recent talks between Myanmar's military regime and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, hoping that it would bring about a solution to the "challenges" faced by the country.

For the full story, please click here.

Announcement: Let's Protest Against Burmese Junta - 27th October 2007

27th October marks one month of the violent crackdown on protesters. Supporters of the Saffron Revolution all over the world are urged to unite and protest against the brutal actions of the military junta, and push them towards democratic reforms.

Time: Any time
Location: Burmese and Chinese Embassies Worldwide

Not convinced? Click here to see the latest photos of injured protesters sent from Rangoon's General Hospital.

Note: Link contains disturbing images.

Tay Za’s Son Ridicules US Sanctions

Source: Irrawaddy News Magazine

According to an email obtained by The Irrawaddy on Friday, the son of one of the Burmese junta’s biggest cronies, Tay Za, has ridiculed the actions of Western democracies, particularly the US sanctions targeting Burmese military officials’ bank accounts and assets. The email, however, has not been independently confirmed as authentic.

For the full report, please click here.

Read the full email and see more photos of Htet Tayza at Nik Nayman's blog.

Ethnic Leaders Dismiss Talk of Burma's Collapse Should Junta Fall

Source: Irrawaddy News Magazine

Influential Burmese leaders contacted by The Irrawaddy have dismissed a possible “nightmare scenario" raised by some Burma experts who say that—should the junta fall—the country might collapse because of a lack of civilian leaders with experience in government.

Some Western experts and one Burmese historian suggested the fall of the military junta could bring about ethnic insurgencies, gutted institutions, clashes among leaders with no experience in democracy and continuing aftershocks from the junta’s ruinous economic policies in one of the world’s poorest nations, The Associated Press reported this week.

All of the ethnic leaders, veteran politicians and scholars contacted by The Irrawaddy disagreed.

For the full report, please click here.

Gloomy Start to Festival of Lights

Source: Irrawaddy News Magazine

Rangoon residents said the eastern gate of Burma's landmark Shwedagon Pagoda and Sule pagodas—the city's top religious shrines and the focus of the recent protests—and some leading monasteries were tightly guarded by police and pro-government groups

For the full report, please click here.

Yellow Colour Worshipers at Shwedagon

Source: Mizzima News

A month after the monk-led protests' in September, several people in yellow clothes gathered today in the Shwedagon pagoda in Rangoon, eyewitnesses said.

Local residents, who visited the shrine, said several people came in the evening to Shwedagon, which was the central location during last month's protests, with yellow coloured candles to pray for peace.

For the full report, please click here.

Military Trucks Back on the Streets of Rangoon

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma

Residents say that military trucks have reappeared in key spots in Rangoon after being withdrawn from the streets of Rangoon about a week ago. They are seen stationed near ShweDagon and Sule Pagodas, City Hall, and major junctions downtown.

It appears that the authorities are pre-empting the crowds that are expected to turn up at pagodas for worship to mark the end of Buddhist lent.

DVB has unconfirmed news that monks from All Burma Monks' Alliance are planning to stage demonstrations on the 1st month anniversary of the crackdown on the Saffron Revolution.

For the original article in Burmese, please follow this link:http://burmese.dvb.no/news.php?id=2598

Government Troops Clash with Ethnic Rebels

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma

Fights between the Burmese government army and ethnic rebels have been on the increase in Karen and Karenni states as the government tries to clear land for a road-building project.

For the full story, please follow this link: http://english.dvb.no/news.php?id=619

CNN Video: Life in Fear

Source: CNN

CNN last week broadcast a video in which Burmese people risk their lives to speak out about the military junta. One of those interviewed is 90-year-old Ludu Daw A Mar, a well-known and respected author.

To watch this video, please click here.

Junta Frees NLD Supporters

Source: CNN

Junta freed about 50 of the National League for Democracy members on Thursday.

Thousands of people worshiped at ShweDagon today to mark the end of the Buddhist Lent.

For the full report, please click here.

Flaming Peacocks: Double Taxation, The Bane of Overseas Burmese Workers

Double taxation has been a bane for all Burmese citizens working abroad. While the Burmese government has agreements with host countries not to impose double taxation on its people, it is an unwritten regulation that the Burmese continue to pay tax to both the host country and Burma. At least one person in each household is required to pay tax (10% of their income) to the embassy in order to hold travel documents, and renew them; all Burmese passports need to be renewed every three years.

Anyone who needs to renew their passport is required to pay tax or produce proof that he or she is a dependent of a tax payer. Similarly, anyone returning home will have to produce a tax receipt upon arrival in Rangoon, or risk getting the travel documents confiscated.

In order to bypass the agreement with other countries, the Burmese embassy instructs its tax payers to submit a signed proposal to allow him or her to pay tax to the mother land, out of moral obligations. This compulsory double taxation has driven the majority of the Burmese citizens to under-declare their income to the embassies as they struggle to start afresh in foreign countries. Many immigrant families live on single income, and have borrowed heavily in order to secure a passport which they see as a ticket out of hell. Others, more comfortable, detest the idea of giving their hard-earned money to junta.

In January this year, Burmese living in Singapore launched an unsuccessful campaign to protest against double taxation (http://www.burmanet.org/news/2007/01/22/irrawaddy-burmese-workers-protests-double-taxation-in-singapore-shah-paung/).

Raised Taxes for Burmese PR in Singapore (Unconfirmed)

Source: Myo Chit Myanmar

A Burmese citizen residing in Singapore posted on Myo Chit Myanmar that the Burmese embassy now requires all citizens holding permanent residency in Singapore to pay at least 200 Singapore dollars in tax a month. Anyone who disputes this would be required to produce the pay slip and the Central Provident Fund statement. (Note: CPF is a government fund which citizens and permanent residents are required to contribute to so as to prepare for their retirement. Each month, a salaried employee is required to contribute 20% of his or her income to CPF).

Flaming Peacocks are currently unable to independently verify this information.

Updates from Burmese Blogs: 25th October 2007

Source: Nik Nayman

1952 hr:

The destruction at Nwge Kyar Yan monastery in Yangon: http://www.irrawaddy.org/protests/video/ngwekyaryan.php

1915 hr:

There will be prayer services on Friday, 26^th at ShweDagon Pagoda and Sule Pagodas in memory of those who lost their lives in the bloody crackdown last month. The public is urged to participate by visiting pagodas for worship.

Event: Lights Festival in Singapore's Burmese Buddhist Temple

There will be an event marking the 1 month anniversary of the Saffron Revolution at the Burmese Buddhist Temple in Singapore on the 26th of October, Friday.

Details as follow:

Time: 1700 hrs
Event: Alms offering to monks and nuns

Time: 1900 hrs
Event: Lights festival

This also coincides with the Full Moon Day of Tha Din Kyut (the end of the Buddhist lent) when devotees traditionally offer alms to sangha , and young people pay respect to their elders. This year, the celebrations in Burma will be very much muted as the country and its sangha are still reeling from the crackdown just one month ago.

Reshuffles in Junta Top Posts

Source: Mizzima News

As expected, the military junta appointed Lt. Gen Thein Sein as prime minister on Wednesday, state-run media reported.

The former Secretary 1 of the State Peace and Development Council, Thein Sein, had been serving as acting prime minister since May, for the now deceased and previously ailing Gen. Soe Win.

For the full story, please click here.

MAI to Resume Operations in November

Source: Mizzima News

An official from Myanmar Airways International told Mizzima that the airline is expected to resume operations in November. MAI has earlier been forced to stop operating when its insurance companies refused to continue the partnership.

For the full story, please click here.

Forced Rallies Continue

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma

Mya Wadi, Karen State: Authorities issued an order for each household to send one representative to the pro-government rallies held this morning at the town's sports stadium. Any household defying this order will have to pay a fine consisting a bag of cement mix, and 8000 kyats (~ USD 6.00).

A participant said:
"In one neighbourhood, they herded the people up the truck like they were animals. The roads have been closed since 6am. Everyone's unhappy".

A resident told DVB that officials and USDA members shouted vulgarities at households who were unable to send representatives. In some instances, people were forcibly asked to go to the town council offices immediately.

The resident also said that it was pointless to force the public to attend such rallies against their will and that people earning daily wages are especially affected.

For the original article in Burmese, please follow this link: http://burmese.dvb.no/news.php?id=2584

Peace for Burma Activists Held Demonstations In Front Of PTT Offices

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma

Peace for Burma activists held demonstrations in front of Thai gas giant PTT offices on Thursday. Activists also submitted a written request to PTT to withdraw from Burma for the time being, and to only resume its operations in Burma after democratic reforms.

Demonstrators held banners with slogans such as "No more investment in Burma". A spokesman from Peace for Burma, Ko Macy, told DVB that current investments in Burma not only benefit the junta, but also make things much worse for the country and its people.
"We would like to request investors to look at the situation in Burma, to consider the well-being of the people, and stop their investments until the democratic reforms are in place."

Peace for Burma activists also demonstrated yesterday in front of the Chinese embassy in bangkok to protest against 12 years of house arrest for pro-democratic leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

For the original article in Burmese, please follow this link: http://burmese.dvb.no/news.php?id=2584

Tax Raised on Loudspeakers - By 100 times

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma

Aung Lan: taxes on loudspeakers, commonly used in the locality for community functions and announcements, have been raised from 150 kyat to 15,000 kyats.

For the full story, please follow this link: http://english.dvb.no/news.php?id=610

China Promises to Support UN in Burma

Source: Agence France Presse via The Bangkok post

China on Wednesday praised the "remarkable" work by United Nations special envoy Ibrahim Gambari to improve the situation in Burma and promised support for his mediation efforts.

"China will continue to give all-out support to your work," the official Xinhua news agency quoted Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei as saying before he began formal talks with Gambari.

For the full story, please click here.

U.N.'s Pinheiro Vows To Go Where He Wants in Myanmar

Source: Reuters

The United Nations expert on human rights in Myanmar vowed on Wednesday he would not be constrained by the military junta when he visits the country next month to report on the recent crisis.

For the full story, please click here.

Air Bagan Ceases Operations

Source: Nik Nayman, Myo Chit Myanmar, Democratic Voice of Burma

Air Bagan issued a letter to travel agencies telling them that they will cease operating from 4th November until further notice.

To read this letter, please click here.

For a complete report, please follow this link: http://english.dvb.no/news.php?id=612

Burmese Junta's minister meets with Daw AungSanSuKyi

It is confirmed that 3 government vehicles picked up Daw AungSanSuKyi from her residence around 2pm Burma time on 25,Oct. The government's newly appointed Minister for Diplomancy,Gen Aung Kyi met with DASSK at a government buililding according to the foreign diplomat society and other sources.
These steps of the Junta are welcomed by some hoping that it would develop into dialogue for real change. Others doubt that the junta is just trying to show fake steps to reduce the international attention and to trick UN and EU into not taking serious actions.
Mr Gambari is right now at Japan to talk with the Japanese officials about Burma case. During the past days, he also talked with the officials of China and Russia. As always, offcials of both countries said that they support Gambari's actions for Burma.
source->http://english.dvb.no/

Gambari set to return to Burma Earlier

Source: Mizzima News

United Nations Special Envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, is set to revisit Burma earlier than originally expected, following an agreement from the junta to expedite his travel plans.

For the full story, please follow this link: http://www.mizzima.com/MizzimaNews/News/2007/Oct/89-Oct-2007.html

Updates from Burmese Blogs: 24th October 2007

Source: http://niknayman.blogspot.com

0745 hr:

Zarganar led a group of artists in making alms offerings to 80 monks and 30 nuns from Barkarar Monastery. This monastery has been reported to be still carrying out the Patta-nikkujjana against the junta and its lackeys. It is reported that artists and journalists will continue with such offerings to all monasteries under the vow of Patta-nikkujjana.

Interview with Comedian Zarganar

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma

DVB had a chance to speak with comedian Zarganar who had been detained since last month for making alm offerings to protesting monks. Zarganar is well-known for his spot-on sarcasm about the junta, and in the past twenty years, he has been detained more frequently than not.

In the interview, Zarganar told DVB that monks in custody have been forced to defrock. However, the three monks he met continue to meditate and observe the rules of Sangha. He said the monks told him that the conditions in concentration camps were terrible; the monks in custody were made to squat, urinate, and pass motion in the same confined space. They were also not given any food.

One of the monks he met in prison, U Tilawbartha, a 76-year-old sayadaw (senior monk) was kicked in the ribs during the arrests. He was also told by a friend that another monk was shot in the spine and had to be admitted to the prison hospital. He said that such treatment of the monks saddened him so much that he would rather not be reborn as a Buddhist ever again.

He also told DVB that prison facilities and healthcare were grossly inadequate. Due to the unscrupulous crackdown, the prison was overcrowded and there was a severe lack of hygiene. Prisoners have to sleep, eat, and pass motion in the same small space; no soap was provided. As winter sets in, prisoners are expected to face worse conditions as they have not been given any warm clothing or blankets. Families are also denied the chance to see the prisoners or pass them medication that they require.

One of the members of the opposition party, National League for Democracy (NLD), U Hla Pe, an 81 year old who has previously broken his leg, can only walk with the aid of a walking stick, and hence is having a hard time under such harsh conditions. Other elderly NLD members are also said to be suffering from gastritis and high blood pressure, with one who he felt has already had a mild stroke.

Zarganar said that the prison could not provide appropriate medication for these people. He said that the officials were also restricted by the fact that these prisoners are not directly in their custody, and they were required to seek permission from officers controlling the concentration camps before giving any aid or medical treatment to the prisoners.

To listen to the interview in Burmese, please follow this link: http://burmese.dvb.no/news.php?id=2552

The Swiss Join South African Businesses in Boycotting Burmese Products

Source: Irrawaddy News

Following reports that a South African company was banning burmese clothing imports, Swiss businesses are rejecting seafood imported from Burma. This has benefited the country's population as the rejected seafood finds its way to the local market at reduced prices.

For the full report, please click here.

Campaign: Panties for Peace

In the absence of what they see as effective action by UN and neighbouring countries, people around the world have been thinking up various means to continue condemning the actions of the junta, to show their dissent.

In the latest campaign, Lanna Action for Burma has called for women to send their used underwear to Burmese embassies. This, the group and its supporters, believe is a good tactical move against the superstitious generals.


Related articles:
1. Associated Press: Women Send Panties to Myanmar in Protest
2. Niknayman's Blog: Panty Power

India Silent on Burma's Crackdown

Source: Associated Press

India has come under the spotlight as UN special envoy Mr Gambari visits the nation to urge the country to take a firmer stand against the actions of the junta.

For the full report, please click here.

Human rights expert to visit Burma: UN

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

Burma has agreed to a visit by the United Nations expert on human rights there, who has not been allowed into the country for four years, UN spokeswoman Michele Montas says.

In a letter to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday, Foreign Minister Nyan Win suggested that the visit by special rapporteur Paulo Sergio Pinheiro take place before a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations scheduled to open on November 17, Montas told a news briefing.

Pinheiro, a Geneva-based Brazilian law professor who reports to the UN Human Rights Council, visited Burma six times after being asked to check on its human rights performance in 2000.

But he has not been allowed back since November 2003, despite repeated requests.

For the original article, please click here.

Daw Aung San Su Kyi Moved From Her House

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma

Daw Aung San Su Kyi was reportedly moved from her house yesterday evening by officials. It is not known where she has been taken to.

For the full report, please follow this link: http://english.dvb.no/news.php?id=599

Monks Might Resume Protests in Late October

Source: Irrawady via BurmaNet.org

A leading monk—one of four being hunted down by the junta—told The Irrawaddy from his hiding place that monk-led demonstrations may resume in Burma in late October, in spite of the fact that at least 100 monks killed during pro-democracy demonstrations and about 1,200 monks arrested.

The monk, U Obasa, added that many monks are still missing and their whereabouts are unknown.

About 50 nuns were also arrested during the junta’s crackdown on the Sangha in Rangoon, which started on September 26. He said he believes reports that some nuns were raped and sexually harassed by soldiers at detention centers.

For the full report, please click here.

Promotions and Commendations for Personnel Involved in Crackdown

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma

DVB reported Sunday that military and police personnel in Sitwe, Arakan State, who were actively involved in the brutal crackdown last month received promotions and commendation letters.

A member of USDA also told DVB that there were similar plans for the personnel in Rangoon. The source requested to remain anonymous.

Earlier, DVB have reported that members of USDA involved in the crackdown were being handed out land parcels and seed money to start businesses.

For the original article in Burmese, please follow this link: http://burmese.dvb.no/news.php?id=2533

Current Situation in Rangoon and Mandalay

Source: Radio Free Asia

21st October 2007

RFA reported Sunday that while the curfew has been lifted in Rangoon and Mandalay, the situation remains tense in both cities with the presence of army troops in the pagodas and other major locations.

Many people were reported to have been arrested for breaking the curfew since last month when it was first issued. Among them were people who had to travel to their homes in the suburbs after work. Several others who needed emergency medical treatment in the night were also required to obtain permission from town councils.

In Rangoon, the armed forces are still keeping their foothold at KyaikaSan Race Course, and security forces remain at ShweDagon and other pagodas. At KyaikaSan Pagoda, flower sellers are seeing little business due to the presence of troops. A resident living nearby also told RFA that the troops have been killing fish and turtles, kept as pets within the pagoda premises, for food.

In Mandalay, 24-hour eateries and downtown restaurants are said to be back in business. Also, security forces stationed at pagodas and major teaching monasteries also have been withdrawn.

However, residents of both cities told RFA that the monasteries are still largely deserted.

For the original article in Burmese, please follow this link: http://www.rfa.org/burmese/news/2007/10/21/situation_in_rangoon_mandalay/

Female Detainees Sexually Harrassed

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma

21st October 2007

More than 100 women remain in custody since the crackdown on protesters started in the last week of September, said detainees who have been released. Among those arrested were women from the provinces who were staying as guests in the monasteries which were raided; they were in Rangoon to seek medical treatment.

Those released also told DVB that the authorities were using two methods of interrogating the women; they were either being severely beaten or sexually harrassed. DVB is expected to release detailed accounts from the women soon, along with the names of the those who were responsible for the abuse.

For the list of women who are still in custody, please follow this link: http://burmese.dvb.no/news.php?id=2528

Related Reports:
On October 17, RFA released a news report about the way women in custody were treated by their jailers. Read the report here: http://www.rfa.org/english/news/2007/10/17/burma_women/

South Africa's Clothing Company Bans Burmese Clothing Imports

Source: Business Report

Mr Price Group, one of South Africa's biggest clothing retailers, will no longer source garments from Myanmar, where the recent outcry over human rights violations by that country's military regime has led to calls for sanctions.

For the full report, please follow this link: http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4088420

Announcement: Beware of Pro-democratic Scammers

A few words of caution to dear readers: please check thoroughly about the charitible organization before you make a donation through them. Please make sure your hard earned cash arrives in right hands for the right cause. Support Burma. Not Pro-democratic Scammers.

For those uninformed, there are groups of people who gets unethical benefit from mayhem and carnegie in Burma. I call them Pro-democratic Scammers. These organizations are disguised as Pro-democratic humanitarian organizations running charities for the troubled people of Burma. They tend to make up and exaggerate news, fake photos, fake the figures and talk nonsense to the public and NGOs as well as GOs to scam charity money from them and -- you guessed it! -- most of the cash ends up in their pockets.

Worse, they have vested interest in SPDC. SPDC is their money tree. They need SPDC to torture and kill people in Burma so that they can cry out for help and fool to kind-hearted people like you and me to fill and re-fill their pockets or buy designer clothes with bigger pockets to fill. Therefore, they do not want Burma gets Independence. In my personal opinion, they might even have connections with SPDC. That means, in a way, you can conclude that supporting them is the same as supporting SPDC which is the same as strengthening the chains Burma has to break to gain her freedom. That's the least thing you could have ever imagined to contribute to!

All in all, please remember: C comes before D -- Check before you make a Donation. We greatly respect, highly appreciate and are very grateful for the philanthropic efforts you made in supporting Burma. May we succeed!

To File a Law Suit against Than Shwe at International Criminal Court

The Blog owner of Burma-Myanmar Genocide, another English news blog covering the Saffron Revolution in Burma, is organizing to file a lawsuit at International Criminal Court against Snr. General Than Shwe , the head of SPDC Regime which implemented, to crush the revolution, the brutal genocide against the participating Mahar Sangha and civilians.

For more information please read the original announcement.

Rasputin of Burma Identified

Rasputin of Burma

According to a Blog ran by Sri Lanka based Burmese Buddhist Monks, the key player who advised the implementation of brutal genocide to SPDC has been identified Kya Khat Wine Sayardaw aka (U) Zaw Ti Par La who is the "abbot" of Kya Khat Wine Monastery in Pegu. The sound file recorded during his adversarial speeches to SPDC top dogs has been leaked to the public for some time but none has been able to identify the speaker. Though, it turns out that some of the Burmese Monks from the Sri Lanka had lived in Kya Khat Wine Monastry for 1-10 years and they confirmed the true identity of the speaker repetitive analysts of the speaker's voice as well as the way he composes what he wants to deliver into a poem and making the audience recite it, the speaking style, usage of words and personal information he described during the recording which hints his identity, such as the number of Monks in his Monastery which is around 1000(There is only one Monastery that big in Pegu which is Kya Khat Wine Monastery).The recording also suggested that the speaker organized the construction of his home village which is the same as the home village of Kya Khat Wine Sayardaw(Abbot in Burmese). Moreover the Slogan of the abbot,"If man wants it for real and does it for real, he accomplishes for real" is what the speaker mentioned in the tape on several occasions.

The abbot used to get Monks arrested in cooperation with SPDC and he rules the monastery in a totalitarian manner which is how SPDC runs Burma as everyone knows, said the monks who identified the speaker.

The author, who himself is a monk, also said that he himself could, as well, guarantee about the identity because of the fact that he has studied in Kya Khat Wine Monastery for two years and he wishes the readers to believe without doubt, as he does.

According to the doctrine of Buddhism, a monk's deed could automatically denounce his monkhood. The abbot made use of that fact and convinced SPDC that monks participated in peacful marches has lost their mookhood for they did a misconduct. Whether the Mahar Sagha who sacrified their lives for the freedom of Burma deserve to lose their monkhood could be judged by me and you, dear readers, and I know that our judgements would definitely be unanimous but it is for sure that for masterminding the bloodshed of hundreds of Monks and civilians, the abbot's monkhood is automatically denounced. "He had commited the third factor which denounces one's monkhood.He is no longer a monk and he can never be one anymore. He is now an ordinary man wearing a monk's robe," said the author.

Kya Khat Wine Sayardaw was ironically born in Nate Ban(Nirvana in Burmese) Village, Kawa Township, Pegu at 8 am, 2nd Na Yone(Burmese Month), 1283(Sarsana Year) by (U) Boe Thone & (Daw) Own Pwint. He has 9 siblings and he is the fifth child and his original name is (Maung) Kyar Khine. He was greatly loved by his parents and they had very high hopes on him so they bestowed him with monkhood and blessed him. Although, their hopes never materialized and instead he became the mastermind behind the worst homicide in the History of Burma and at the same time denounced his own monkhood, giving away the greatest gift his parents have given to him.

Ref:

http://lanka-msma.blogspot.com/2007/10/blog-post_4900.html

http://lanka-msma.blogspot.com/2007/10/blog-post_5141.html

http://lanka-msma.blogspot.com/2007/10/blog-post_8489.html

High School Students Tricked Into Joining USDA

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma

Unsuspecting high school students in Rangoon were tricked into joining USDA, unhappy parents complained to DVB. The students were each asked to supply a passport photo, and USDA membership cards were issued to them.

A parent told DVB:

“We thought the photos were meant for official forms for matriculation exams. But now, all the children are USDA members. It’s a con job. What can we do now? They are never up to any good.”

Another said that while the students have been tricked into becoming members, they are unlikely to be active in the organization.

According to DVB, similar incidents were reported in the provinces earlier in the year.

To read the original article in Burmese, please follow this link: http://burmese.dvb.no/news.php?id=2456

[Note: To understand more about USDA, please refer to our earlier report:  http://flamingpeacocks.blogspot.com/2007/10/usda-juntas-new-face-of-dictatorship.html]

Burma Junta Shamelessly Admits to Interrogating Protesters

Source: New Light of Myanmar via Newsjournalonline.com

The official statement on the front-page of The New Light of Myanmar, a government mouthpiece, said authorities were still hunting for demonstrators who took part in the recent uprising.

"Those who led, got involved in and supported the unrest which broke out in September were called in and are being interrogated," the junta said. "Some are still being called in for questioning and those who should be released will be."

For the full article in English, please follow this link: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MYANMAR?SITE=FLDAY&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Kelvin Doyle - Where Are Burma's Monks?

Source: Time Magazine

Time Magazine published another first-person article, this time by Kelvin Doyle. In his article, Doyle recounts an interesting encounter with a plain-clothes security officer at the ShweDagon Pagoda.

To read the full article, please follow this link: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1670876,00.html?iid=sphere-inline-sidebar

Andrew Marshall - Anatomy of a Failed Revolution

Source: Time Magazine

Time Magazine last week published an article titled Anatomy of a Failed Revolution by Andrew Marshall, a first hand account of the demonstrations from the point of view of an observer.

To read the full article, please follow this link: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1670515,00.html

Canada: Honorary Citizenship for Aung San Su Kyi

Source: Canadian Press

The government of Canada has promised to confer honorary citizenship to Burma’s Opposition Leader, Daw Aung San Su Kyi, in recognition for her efforts to bring democracy to her people.

For the full story, please follow this link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071016.wthronemyanmar1016/BNStory/National

Fire at City Hall Frightens Officials

Source: http://niknayman.blogspot.com

According to Niknayman, a small fire broke out at Rangoon's City Hall a few days ago. While the Junta has, so far, refused to divulge this information to the public, Niknayman reported that the small fire bomb was thrown into the City Hall by a group of dissidents in retaliation for the crackdown inflicted on the protesters. While no injuries were recorded, the report said that the officials in Rangoon are now fearful for their personal safety.

Niknayman also reported that the explosion at the Guest House at Mae Sod on the 12th of October was initiated by dissidents as well. The authorities reportedly walked into a trap by dissidents when they raided the guest house. They were trying to capture student leaders who were trying to cross the border. About 5 to 10 officials were said to have been injured by the explosion.

Rangoon Authorities Issue Threats to Monasteries

Source: http://lanka-msma.blogspot.com

Lanka-MSMA reported that large monastries in Rangoon were being visited by officials. The Abbotts of these monasteries were asked to tell the resident monks to return to their home towns. Failure to comply may result in midnight sieges, they were warned. Authorities further threatened the Abbotts that they will not be responsible for consequences should they be prompted to take such actions.

As a result, many monks have been forced to move out to smaller monasteries, or return to their home towns.

Monks in Rangoon also told Lanka-MSMA that security officials currently allow only one-way travel for monks, out of Rangoon to the provinces; any monks trying to enter Rangoon have been told to turn back.

For the original article in Burmese, please follow this link: http://lanka-msma.blogspot.com/2007/10/blog-post_8874.html

Word of Warning to Burmese Students/Workers in Foreign Countries

Source: http://lanka-msma.blogspot.com

Lanka MSMA reported that burmese returning home from studies or work from foreign countries are being subjected to checks at the airport against photos and videos taken of protests, and anyone suspected of being involved in the democratic movement are being detained.

For the original article in Burmese, please follow this link: http://lanka-msma.blogspot.com/2007/10/blog-post_835.html

Burma's Junta: Too Late to Turn Back the Clock

Source: Truthout.org

Cynthia Boaz, an Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Studies at the State University of New York, gives her perspective on the current state of affairs in Burma.

Please click here to read the full article.

Japan Cuts Millions in Aid To Burma

Source: Sky News

Japan has finally decided to cut millions of aid to burma, following the brutal crackdown on protesters just as EU has agreed to tighten sanctions against the military government.

For the full report, please click here.

Updates From Burma: 16th October 2007

Rumours are rife in Rangoon that there will be a blood bath in November. According to residents, many astrologers have predicted another major uprising towards the end of the year. One famous astrologer, Min Thein Kha, has been earlier apprehended for making such predictions.

Meanwhile, officials continue to comb the city for those involved in protests. A resident who went to make a police report for missing documents saw the staff busy scrutinising photos of protesters.

"We were waiting for them to finish the report. We saw one of the guys call someone. He told the person to send over the the photos taken on the 24th and 26th."

The resident also saw lists of female names on a board, apparently intended for the pro-government rallies. There were also notes about wake-up calls and pick-up schedules.

Three More NLD Members Detained In Mandalay

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma

Authorities arrested 3 more members of National League for Democracy’s Mandalay Branch on Sunday night. NLD is the opposition party led by Nobel Peace Winner Daw Aung San Su Kyi.

The three NLD members, Ko Wunna Aung, Ko Ye Min Zaw, and Ko Soe Khaing Win, were reported to have arrested while in hiding at Saggaing (a Buddhist community of monasteries and nunneries located next to the city of Mandalay).

This latest round of arrests brings the total of detained NLD (Mandalay) members to 41.

For the original article in Burmese, please follow this link: http://burmese.dvb.no/news.php?id=2447

Abbott Declines To Accept Donations From Junta

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma

15th October 2007

Devotees told DVB that the Thaminsar Sayadaw declined monetary donations from Thayet Town Council members and officials.

The 90-year old Abbott told the authorities that he has taken an avowal against accepting alms or any other contributions from people and organizations abetting junta. He also declined to lead them in prayers, citing sangha regulations.

Early this month, the Abbott had declared his intention to make this vow (or patta-nikkujjana in Pali) against the junta and its lackeys.

The Beginning of Patta-nikkujjana against Junta

On the 5th of September, in Pakkoku, a group of monks who were marching peacefully and chanting prayers, were beaten and detained by riot police. The police also stripped the monks of their robes. Junta declined to apologise for this atrocity, prompting the monks all over Burma to undertake the patta-nikkujjana-kamma (the act of patta-nikkujjana) against them.

Towards the end of September, monks led peaceful protests all across the country. Junta then initiated a brutal clampdown on the monks, and the majority were subsequently beaten and detained with many dying as a result of the beatings. Two weeks on, thousands of monks still remain in concentration camps.

However, the monks have vowed to continue with the patta-nikkujjana until military junta mends its ways.

For the original article in Burmese, please follow this link: http://burmese.dvb.no/news.php?id=2442

Note:

1.       News agencies have earlier reported that many of the monks under detention were inadvertently on hunger strike as they refuse any food given to them by the guards. They were subsequently separated into smaller groups by officials.

2.       The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) had issued an open letter in September appealing to Buddhists worldwide to do the same. Please click here to read the letter by AHRC: http://www.ahrchk.net/pr/mainfile.php/2007mr/479/

3.       At the beginning of this month, The Buddhist Channel also published a letter by a monk about patta-nikkujjana: http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=22,5070,0,0,1,0

 

 

 

 

Student Leader Escapes Junta With Help From The People

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma

One of the student leaders from All Burma Students’ Union, Ko Kyaw Ko Ko, told DVB that he was grateful to the people for helping him escape the clutches of Junta.

On the 9th of October, the authorities had tried to snatch him from a house in Rangoon where he was hiding, but he managed to get away, thanks to the sympathetic public. He told DVB:

“Everyone I met along the way has been very kind, and without their help, I would not have made it to safety.”

He added that while many of the students and student leaders are under detention, ABSU will continue the legacy and carry on the fight for democracy.

“As long as there are students, there is a student union. We’re regrouping now, working to get everyone together.”

For the original article in Burmese, please follow this link: http://burmese.dvb.no/news.php?id=2441

Civil Servants Unhappy For Being Forced To Participate in Pro-Junta Rallies

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma

15th October 2007

Junta did not deliver the promised payout of 500 Kyats per head, said one of the civil servants who was forced to participate in a pro-junta rally in Rangoon. The source, who did not want to be named, told DVB that the participants were unhappy after the officials told them that they will only receive 400 Kyats each after deduction of bus fare, and that only at the end of the month.

“We had to get up at 3am. It pissed us off, so we just did whatever we wanted.”

The source said that even though the officials tried to control the crowd, the people refused to follow instructions. He added that the only people who were shouting pro-junta chants were town council members; the rest of the crowd kept their heads down and muttered instead that they were only there for the fee.

A Rangoon resident told DVB that public dissent was high; people were extremely peeved that the junta was organising pro-government rallies (many of which were made compulsory to civil servants and students) after a ruthless bloody crackdown on monks and protesters.

“They imposed a curfew and stop us from demonstrating peacefully. No more than 5 people in a group, they say. What they’re doing now, these rallies, aren’t they breaking their own curfew? It’s ridiculous.”

For the original article in Burmese, please follow this link: http://burmese.dvb.no/news.php?id=2439

Junta Uses Censorship To Punish Writers For Helping Monks

Source: Mizzima

In a bid to suppress its people even further, authorities in Burma are banning the works of all journalists and writers who have offered food to monks during the protests. Previously, a comic artist was reported to have been banned for similar reasons.

For the full report in English, please follow this link: http://www.mizzima.com/MizzimaNews/News/2007/Oct/60-Oct-2007.html

For the full report in Burmese, please follow this link: http://www.mizzimaburmese.com/detail.php?news_id=692&cat=7011

 

Two Student Leaders at Thai Border

Source: Voice of America

VOA interviewed two student leaders from 88-Generation who have arrived at the Thai-Burmese border; Ko Ye Tun Kyaw and Ko Nay Win Hlaing. Both told VOA that they were merely lying low temporarily and regrouping.

Ko Ye Tun Kyaw, recounting the crackdown, told VOA that the gun shots were meant for the leaders of the demonstrations. He added:
"We need to re-examine our strategy. Our peaceful demonstrations were crushed with the use of guns. There are countries that managed to get what they want by using non-violent means. Obviously, these governments respect human rights and the laws of the international community. Even the worst government in the world can't be compared to the junta. We have to re-think what we should do."

He felt that it was only right for the people to retaliate as they did when they witnessed the beating of revered monks by the military and riot police.

Ko Nay Win Hlaing also told VOA that after the cruelty inflicted on the protesters by junta, the students felt that UN could do much more than issuing a statement to the junta to stop the violence.

Ko Ye Tun Kyaw and Ko Nay Win Hlaing were high school students during the infamous 1988 uprising. They have also served time as political prisoners.

The original article in Burmese can be downloaded via this link: http://www.voanews.com/burmese/upload/88studentsarriveborder-5.pdf

USDA, Junta's New Face of Dictatorship

This came from one of our readers, Tindra-Annette, from Sweden.

The burmese people have of course known it for some time, that junta has been recruiting people under various government organisations, and planting its people in every community. It is part of a democracy road map which they had planned, so that when push comes to shove, they would get a favourable outcome at the elections that they will have to hold: continued dictatorship. Of course, such infiltration also comes in handy when there are disagreeable things such as protests against the government.

In the article below, The Network for The Democracy and Development documents the role of the USDA (Union Solidarity and Development Association) as an organization designed to infiltrate and co-opt every aspect of civil society in Burma. The report further notes that USDA, disguised as a government-operated NGO, relies on extortion, coercion, and intimidation as a means of raising funds for its “benevolent” activities.

The full 90-page report can be downloaded via this link:
The White Shirts about USDA

Updates From Burmese Blogs - 15th Oct

Source: http://niknayman.blogspot.com

1902 hrs:
Out of the 400 plus student monks from Shin Phyu Monastery, Moulmein, told to go back to their home towns, over 200 reportedly never made it back. Niknayman said that the monastery's Head Abbott, has been so seriously affected by the news that he is now in ill health. It is believed that the junta must have detained the missing monks, and a detailed list has been submitted to the authorities to ask for the release of the monks.

1435 hrs:
The pro-government rally planned in Moulmein failed miserably. The drizzles started before the rally, and the teachers involved did not budge from their seats in the stands when they were asked to go down into the field. The participants also refused to repeat the pro-junta chants. It was reported that many at the back of the crowd left soon after the rally started and threw away the flags they were supposed to carry. Some officers from the armed forces were reportedly reprimanded.

1153 hrs:
Beware if anyone sends an email with the subject "A Virtual Card For You". It is a new virus.

A Petition To Request UN Troops To Move In

Source: http://myochitmyanmar.blogspot.com

A petition has been started to request for UN to send its troops in, instead of urging the junta to hold peaceful negotiations.

The petition reads:
To: UN Security Concil

To: Member Nations of the United Nations Security Council
H.E. Mohamed Bedjaoui, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Algeria
H.E. Rafel Bielsa, Minister of Foreign Relations, Intl. Trade & Worship, Argentina
H.E. Rogatien Biaou, Minister of Foreign Affairs & African Integration, Benin
H.E. Celso Amorim, Minster of Foreign Affairs, Brazil
H.E. Li Zhaoxing, Minister of Foreign Affairs, China
H.E. Per Stig Moller, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Denmark
H.E. Philippe Douste-Blazy, Minister of Foreign Affairs, France
H.E. Petros Molyviatis, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Greece
H.E. Nobutaka Machimura, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Japan
H.E. Alberto Romulo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Philippines
H.E. Mihai Razvan Ungureanu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Romania
H.E. Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Russian Federations
H.E. Jack Straw, Sec. of State for Foreign & Common Wealth Affairs, United Kingdom
H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Intl. Cooperation, Tanzania
H.E. Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State, United States of America

Subject: Appeal the UN Security Council to send troops for the people of Burma

Many monks,nuns,members of parliament,members of elected Party:NLD,sympathizers are still being killed everyday in Myanmar. UN Envoy did not & will not make much improvement in Myanmar(Burma).UNSC should have the authority to stop the killing on the spot.The delaying process like sending envoy to negotiate by dialogues is not uselful anymore.
Many people were gun-shot,&thrown into rivers, fired alive by government soldiers .

We want UN Security Council to send troops for the people of Burma instead of UN Envoy.It's not the time to talk with SPDC.It's time for UN Troops to take strong action to protect thoese people from Brutal Myanmar Military.

the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC, the official name of the military regime of Burma (Myanmar)) to refrain from taking any actions that:

1. Physically harm the Buddhist monks and nuns participating in the protest marches currently taking place in major cities and towns in Burma
2. Infiltrate the protesting groups by pretending to be monks and nuns (via having the head shaven and dressing in monks' robes) and then instigitating violence from within through such pretension
3. Offer poisoned foods as alms (Dana)
4. Arresting and beating up people or persons who offers food and water (dana) to the monks
5. Arresting the protesting monks and treating them like criminals, such as catching the monks by lariats and ropes, tying them up with wires and strapping them onto electrical poles, slapping their cheeks, kicking them with military boots and hitting their heads with rifle butts.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

Click here to sign the petition.

Video Clip from 26th Septermber - The Revolution at Shwe Dagon

This clip, parts of which have been broadcasted by news agencies, shows people marching together with the monks, forming a human chain to protect them. They are heard chanting:
"May all beings be free from troubles, suffering, and may they all have peace of mind."

Soon after, riot police and military troops move in on the crowd, scattering the crowd with tear gas and firing on them with automatic weapons.

A monk pointed to his head and said:
"They beat us using police batons (made of metal or hard wood). We'll never forgive them."

A protester was also heard saying:
"These guys burn down motorcycles and blame it on us. We did no such thing. It was them."

[Note: Many of those who have been seen in video clips and photos have since been arrested by junta, who used these materials to do hunt them down.]

Junta Turns Against Its Soldiers

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma

Following reports last week about Junta's 3-enemy strategy, DVB reported Saturday that the plan has been put into action.

A military source told DVB that soldiers belonging to troops that fired at protesters have started to defect after Gen Than Shwe issued orders to get rid of them. There were no details on the soldiers who have defected, but it was reported that most of them were from the troop that was implicated in the death of Japanese Journalist, Mr Kenji Nagai.

It was reported that the soldier who was seen shooting at Mr Nagai at close range, is one of those who defected. In the video footage, he was seen wearing a partial uniform with slippers. Sources say that this soldier is a sniper who ran down from a nearby building to the scene.

A source close to the military said that the soldiers and lower ranking officers have begun to realise that junta would soon turn against them once the protests have died down, and this has prompted the defections.

The same source had earlier sent a voice file to DVB in which a monk was heard instructing the junta to eliminate all elements of opposition, and to subsequently get rid of evidence. Gen Than Shwe is reportedly adhering to this advice.

The source confirmed that a plan has been set in motion to decimate all military troops and riot police involved in the beating and killing of monks and protesters.

For the original article in Burmese, please follow this link: http://burmese.dvb.no/news.php?id=2417

To view the report on 6th October, please follow this link: http://flamingpeacocks.blogspot.com/2007/10/juntas-strategy-use-soldiers-as.html

Rangoon Residents: We'll Never Forget

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma

Residents of Rangoon told DVB that they will never forget the horrors they witnessed during the crackdown. Unfortunately, even as UN Envoy Professor Gambari makes a second trip to Asia, arrests are still ongoing in Burma. In fact, junta has now started widening its nets at leisure to include anyone who has been involved in the demonstrations, and in the case of prominent activists, their families.

A resident told DVB:
"All of us live in misery. No matter what we talk about, we'll end up discussing what has happened; the nights they sieged the monastries and beat the monks to death, it was chilling. There must be so many unappeased souls wandering about. We'll never forgive or forget. They've gone too far this time. Rangoon is like a godforsaken place now. It's not because of the curfew. We're all just so unhappy about what has happened. The old women keep crying. We've seen too much (cruelty)."

The man also said that there are few monks doing the morning alm-rounds, and that Buddhism has been almost wiped out.

"Religion is the basis of morals. It was Buddhism that prevented people from turning lawless. Now, it's almost like we don't have a religion anymore. So what is going to stop people from doing what they want?"

DVB also managed to get in touch with another resident who was detained in KyaiKaSan Race Cource Detention Centre, but has since been released. The man spoke on condition of anonymity:
"There was a family who stayed near the Pagoda. The whole family was arrested, including a little boy, about 6 years old. In the detention center, when they started beating the small boy up, people tried to stop them, and shield him from the blows. So they (pro-junta thugs) kept on beating these people the whole night. The little boy is still there. He's bound to be traumatised by the experience. He's so young, only in kindergarten."

For the original article in Burmese, please follow this link: http://burmese.dvb.no/news.php?id=2421

Junta's Mouthpiece on WWW

A news blog that acts as Junta's mouthpiece has been publishing articles condemning the efforts of the activists, and anyone who has enough humane empathy to feel for those who struggle for the freedom that they are so desperate for.

In an article published yesterday, the blogger denounced the Burmese who attended Japanese Journalist Kenji Nagai's funeral service as bootlickers. The article said that Mr Nagai was at fault for not being situationally aware, and being meddlesome. The blogger added that Mr Nagai died because his time was up.

The article said that the attendees were merely ingratiating themselves with the Japanese so that they can continue to earn in foreign currency.

For the full article in Burmese, please click here.

[Note: The only reason this article has been translated is to let the world know what these imbeciles really think. Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew was spot on when he called the junta dumb.]

Burma, Land of Fear by John Pilger

This documentary lasts 52 minutes.