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Old 09-23-2007, 10:02 PM   #1
SisterMidnight
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Default Monks march in Burma

Burma march 'largest in 20 years'

Burma's largest anti-government protest in nearly two decades has taken place in the former capital Rangoon, led by Buddhist monks and nuns.

Up to 20,000 people took to the streets on the seventh day of protests calling for an end to the "evil dictatorship".

Unlike a day earlier, police barred a group of monks from entering the road that leads to the home of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The rallies began last month when the government doubled fuel prices.

BBC South Asia correspondent Jonathan Head says every day the protests are growing in size - the campaign the monks began just six days ago is now openly challenging the military, urging all citizens to join in.

Barricades

A huge column of demonstrators made its way through the heart of the city, following an identical route to that used during the failed anti-military uprising in 1988.

There are no exact figures but the rally was estimated to be 20,000 strong.

Our correspondent says the mood was relaxed, even euphoric, with thousands of civilians joining Buddhist monks and nuns, and chanting the key demands of this campaign - reconciliation with the opposition, the release of political prisoners and lower prices.

Apparently unsure what to do, the security forces appear to be standing back for the moment and the next act in the drama is impossible to predict, says our correspondent.

Speaking on the sidelines of a UN meeting, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said America was "watching very carefully" the protests and denounced Burma's "brutal regime".

"The Burmese people deserve better. They deserve the right to be able to live in freedom, just as everyone does."

The head of regional grouping Asean, Ong Keng Yong said he hoped the Burmese authorities would not take any strong action "and turn the protests into a big confrontation".

Ms Suu Kyi emerged tearfully on Saturday from the home where she has been under house arrest since 2003 to pray with the monks, after they were allowed through a roadblock.

But on Sunday the barricades were firmly back in place and there was a heavy security presence near the democracy icon's home to prevent a repeat protest march past.


Prayer vigils

Witnesses said the crowds formed a protective human chain, as the monks and nuns set off from Burma's most famous landmark, the revered Shwedagon Pagoda.

Some demonstrators chanted "Release Suu Kyi" as they continued to the nearby Sule Pagoda, before passing the US embassy.

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Ms Suu Kyi has spent 11 of the last 18 years in detention.

In 1990 her party won national elections, but these were annulled by the army and she was never allowed to take office.


On Friday, the Alliance of All Burmese Buddhist Monks, which is leading the demonstrations, vowed to continue until they had "wiped the military dictatorship from the land".

The monks have urged the Burmese people to hold prayer vigils in their doorways for 15 minutes at 2000 (1330 GMT) on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Scores of nuns joined more than 2,000 monks in prayer on Sunday at the Shwedagon Pagoda, before marching to the centre of Rangoon.

LINK


Ms Suu Kyi can be seen behind the police greeting protesters


Monk leaders spoke at Shwedagon Pagoda during a protest against Burma's military government on Sunday. About 10,000 monks, nuns, and citizens demonstrated in Rangoon.


The Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon was a rallying point for pro-democracy activists in 1988. On Sunday, thousands of monks, and nuns (in pink), gathered to pray at the site.

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Old 09-24-2007, 11:55 AM   #2
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Let's hope change is finally starting.

UPDATE:
An estimated 100,000 people joined Buddhist monks today in the biggest public protest to hit Burma's streets for decades.

Demonstrators marched across Rangoon in the largest anti-government protest since a 1988 uprising that was crushed by the military.

One Southeast Asian diplomat said the regime was under pressure from China to avoid a crackdown.

"The Rangoon government is tolerating the protesters and not taking any action against the monks because of pressure from China," the diplomat told The Associated Press. "Beijing is to host the next summer's Olympic Games. Everyone knows that China is the major supporter of the junta so if government takes any action it will affect the image of China."
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Old 09-24-2007, 12:13 PM   #3
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Looks beautiful with all the people dressed in red, like a vein.

I really hope these protests will lead to something positive and in a peaceful way.
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Old 09-24-2007, 05:15 PM   #4
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UPDATE:
It prompted the Burmese military government, which has been unusually muted in its response to the demonstrations, finally to speak out.

Religious affairs minister Brigadier General Thura Myint Maung warned that unless senior monks reined in their juniors who are leading the protests, the state would take action.
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Old 09-24-2007, 05:21 PM   #5
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BBC are reporting that the Burmese military have ordered soldiers to shave their heads... and ordered monk robes... The theory is that they will dress soldiers up as monks and attack them... then blaming the monks themselves!!
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Old 09-24-2007, 05:51 PM   #6
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The situation seems to be getting critical over there. Let's hope for the best.

I just got this email.

Quote:
Dear friends of human rights,

Hi, this is Jeremy Woodrum writing from the US Campaign for Burma. As you probably know, the situation in Burma has reached a boiling point. Yesterday, 200,000 people marched throughout Burma calling for human rights and democracy. The marches were led by Buddhist monks, the most revered people inside Burma.

We NEED YOUR HELP TODAY. People inside Burma are putting their lives on the line for values that we share.

We are working as hard as we can to keep this issue in the news and press the UN Security Council to take action. So far, China is completely undermining and paralyzing the UN -- stopping it from doing its job. The UN is now making the same mistakes it made on Darfur and Rwanda -- doing virtually nothing while a country burns.

We greatly fear a massive crackdown inside Burma. The last time people marched in these numbers the regime gunned down 10,000 peaceful demonstrators. We have received credible news that the regime is ordering some of its soldiers to shave their hands so they can impersonate monks and incite violence, which would be used to justify a crackdown by military troops.

We are URGENTLY asking for your strong financial support. Our phones are ringing off the hook and we are doing everything in our power to keep international attention focused on Burma.

Please please go online and make a donation today to help our work. We are running urgently short on funds during this critical time and we ask you to be as generous as you can. If you don't have money, put the donation on your credit card and consider it an investment in human rights.

We're working as hard as we can, but we need your help -- please donate as much as you can today. Donations of $5,000 --- $1,000 -- or $500 are needed: http://www.uscampaignforburma.org/join/joinnow.html

If you can't give that much, do what you can, but please do all that you can.

For human rights,

Jeremy Woodrum



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Old 09-24-2007, 06:06 PM   #7
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What do THEY need the money for??
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Old 09-24-2007, 06:10 PM   #8
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the raise awareness, they send information kits and that kind of stuff

http://uscampaignforburma.org/aboutu...structure.html

Edit:

"The leadership of USCB is composed of human rights advocates, with experience both inside and outside the U.S. government. The board and staff, which include former Congressional staff, former Burmese political prisoners, and experienced advocates, seek to increase the profile of Burma and help find solutions to the country’s decades-long conflict. The core strength of USCB is its collaboration between Americans and Burmese dissidents-in-exile."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_Campaign_for_Burma
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Old 09-24-2007, 08:34 PM   #9
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Quote:
Military Planning to Infiltrate Demonstrations to Spark Violence

Here is a press release just put out by Burma Campaign UK with ominous news. We want you all to be aware of this also.



I will send you all an email soon detailing actions you should take to support the monks and civilians peacefully marching inside. Please remain vigilant.



============================

Media Release from Burma Campaign UK

For immediate release 24th September 2007

Burma Campaign UK sources in Rangoon have reported that soldiers have been ordered to shave their heads, in possible preparation for infiltrating peaceful demonstrations. They would start rioting or attacking police, providing the regime with a pretext for a brutal crackdown on protestors.

Sources indicate that soldiers from Light Battalion 77 in Rangoon have been given the order. Sources also report that the regime has ordered 3,000 monks robes from a factory in Rangoon.

It is a tactic the regime has used in the past, including at the Depayin
massacre in 2003, during which Aung San Suu Kyi was arrested. Regime militia dressed as monks were involved in the ambush which left up to 100 democracy activists dead. State television today reported that action would be taken against protestors.

"We know from experience that the regime is capable of opening fire on civilians", said Mark Farmaner, acting Director of Burma Campaign UK. The regime came to power on the back of a massacre in 1988 that left at least 3,000 civilians dead. They have also been accused by the UN of breaking the Geneva Convention for their deliberate targeting of civilians in attacks on ethnic minorities.

Despite the widespread expectations that the regime will use violence to suppress protest, the international community has been remarkably silent, with the French government being the only one to make a strong statement warning of consequences if the regime respond with violence. ASEAN has also expressed concern.

"The regime has been held in check by the peoples' respect for the monks and the fact that the world is watching, but the scale of protests means they will be looking for options that allow them to justify a crackdown," said Mark Farmaner, "The UN Secretary General and other world leaders must speak out and make it clear that a violent response in unacceptable. At the moment the international community seems to be willing to watch from the sidelines as the regime moves closer to a massacre. If the regime does attack protestors, this will have been one of the most widely predicted massacres in recent history, and makes a mockery any government's claim to be committed to human rights."

For more information contact Mark Farmaner on 07941239640.



I've been checkin the news here and i haven't seen anything about burma
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Old 09-24-2007, 09:06 PM   #10
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What about Aung Suu Kyi? Is she already freed by the protesters?

(For god's sake, that would be great, it'd be about f*ckin time now.)
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Old 09-24-2007, 10:07 PM   #11
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No, she's not free. They marched past her house the other day and she waved at them. There is a photo floating around of her there. First time in a couple of years she has been seen publicly apparently.
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Old 09-24-2007, 10:24 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wheels
No, she's not free. They marched past her house the other day and she waved at them. There is a photo floating around of her there. First time in a couple of years she has been seen publicly apparently.
First time she has been seen publicly since 2003.

My dad was scheduled to go to Burma next week. The military leaders were meeting today (Monday) to discuss what to do.
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Old 09-25-2007, 05:18 AM   #13
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Quote:


she looks so small and alone behind those soldiers and their shields.. 1000 monks went back there today to pray but weren't allowed past the barricade

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wheels
What do THEY need the money for??
the US campaign for burma sponsored ani and damien's trip there. that's the only reason i know anything about it. like cali said burma doesn't even make the news over here.


cali your link sent me to oxfam america. here's the link for the us campaign for burma:

http://www.uscampaignforburma.org/

a letter was sent to the UN secretary general ban ki-moon on september 6th on behalf of aung san suu kyi and burma. damien was one of the celebrities that signed it.

http://www.uscampaignforburma.org/assk/otherquotes.html

LINK

there are comments from people in rangoon at the bottom of that article. this one was interesting..

"One reason why the generals are hesitating, may not be merely reverence. Spiritually speaking, if one is a Buddhist, one will clearly know that one of Buddhist's big sin is the physical harming of a monk who had taken the vow. Such bodily harm of a monk will carry the worst penalty of sufferance in hell. From the perspective of a devout Buddhist nation, that maybe the reason for the junta's unwillingness to act, hoping the march will fizzle out on its own. "

these soldiers (and maybe the government) may actually be afraid of burning in hell if they mess with the monks (which i hope they do if they dare..) there's a spiritual energy behind this uprising, you can almost see it in the pictures.. i suggest whatever god/goddess you worship and however you do it - pray. send positive energy to burma. (i'm serious)


and the UN needs to get involved NOW

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Old 09-25-2007, 02:18 PM   #14
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Default Brace yourselves.

It has been reported that several truckloads of armed police have moved into the city centre of the Burmese city of Rangoon, the scene of widespread pro-democracy demonstrations.

More on this as we get it.
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Old 09-25-2007, 03:02 PM   #15
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Its so good to see, for the first time in history, the religious institutions taking action on the side of the people instead of the dictators... I just wish that the so-called International Community, or the UN or I dunno, maybe the RSPB will do something constructive, as a second first-in-history event. The Burmese people need outside support, at least by the boycott of the Beijing olympic games.
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Old 09-25-2007, 03:56 PM   #16
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It's not the first time... Tibettan Monks have long been to the forefront of the struggle against China's occupation. So much so that China got all upset at Germany (yesterday I think) because Merkel met the Dalai Lama.
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Old 09-25-2007, 03:59 PM   #17
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Truckloads of soldiers have moved into Rangoon amid reports of a general troop buildup.

Their arrival followed announcements by the junta earlier in the day warning monks not to take part in anti-government demonstrations and the public to stay at home or risk arrest.

Two army divisions were either already in or moving toward Rangoon from outlying areas, including the 22nd, which took part in the suppression of the 1988 uprising, according to diplomats.

The 77th Division was already in Rangoon but not yet deployed, according to one diplomat in the city who asked to remain anonymous.

Rumours swirled through Rangoon that the troops had been ordered to shoot protesters and that some soldiers had shaved their heads to imitate monks and were attempting infiltrate the protest to spark violence that would then lead to a government crackdown.
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Old 09-25-2007, 04:00 PM   #18
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The international community appealed to Burma’s military leaders today not to crack down on the tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators taking to its streets.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praised the peaceful nature of the protests and hope the government would “seize this opportunity to engage without delay in dialogue with all the relevant parties to the national reconciliation process.”

European Union spokesman Amadeu Altafaj Tardio said they were watching the situation closely, but not yet considering an expansion of sanctions against the junta.

Stability and peace “can only be achieved through political reform,” said a statement issued by the office of EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana.

Britain's Gordon Brown said the protests in Burma had shown the failure of the country’s regime to demonstrate that real political change was possible.

“It is vital that the Burmese authorities exercise restraint in the face of the demonstrators, and seize the opportunity to launch a process of real political reform,” he said in a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki-moon and Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates, whose country holds the EU presidency.

“It is disturbing that they are now threatening to use force against the demonstrators,” said Mr Brown. “Violent suppression of the demonstrations would be a tragedy and another missed opportunity for Burma.”
Swedish Aid Minister Gunilla Carlsson said the eyes of the world were now on Burma to see how the junta will handle the protesters’ call for reform.

“I want to express our strong support for the Burmese people in their efforts to create a democratic future. The Burmese regime now has the opportunity to start a peaceful dialogue and respect people’s freedom of expression and gathering. We encourage the regime to take that chance,” Carlsson said.

Nobel Peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu praised the “courage of the people of Burma” in backing the demonstrations, which have grown steadily and are now led by Buddhist monks.

“It is so like the rolling mass action that eventually toppled apartheid” in South Africa, Tutu said in a statement.

He backed international calls for the release of all political prisoners and for a peaceful resolution to the protests.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Aung San Suu Kyi should take her place as elected leader of Burma. Suu Kyi, who is held under house arrest in Rangoon by the military junta, appeared outside her house last week as a gesture of support the marchers.

After praising her public appearance, Mr Miliband said, “I think it will be a hundred times better when she takes her rightful place as the elected leader of a free and democratic Burma.”

Thailand’s Surin Pitsuwan, who is expected to take over the 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next January, hoped that the massive protests would lead to change.

“We do hope in ASEAN that things will not get out of hand, will not become too violent, but would lead to some kind of a congregation, some kind of change,” he said.
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Old 09-25-2007, 04:24 PM   #19
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its great to see such a widespread protest and gives hope that we dont need war to solve our problems

one thing i cant grasp is the fact aung san suu kyi can still be under house arrest. im not fully informed on the matter but i just dont understand it
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Old 09-25-2007, 05:13 PM   #20
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CNN is running a has anounced that early today Aung San Suu Kyi was taken from her house to a security prison

Today at the UN Bush announced new economic sanctions on the Burmese government, apparently this announcement is at least working somehow because in CNN they're talking about Burma.

Melissa, I'll change the link, thanks for letting me know.

There's an online petition here

Today's email:

Quote:
Here's What You Can Do to Support the Saffron Revolution

Courageous people of Burma, under the leadership of Buddhist monks, began a national strike today. Over 200,000 people, monks, nuns, students, actors, journalists, doctors, housewives, elders, people from all walks of live join in the national strike in Rangoon today and many other cities through out the country.

The past few days the fervor in the country has built up immensely. I'm sure that many of heard about how on Saturday a group of monks were allowed to march past Aung San Suu Kyi's house in Rangoon. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi came out from her house, reached near the gate and paid respect to the monks with tears. The monks stood in front of her house for 15 minute and made blessing of her. The civilians, who were accompanying with the monks, also shouted the slogan, "Long Live Daw Aung San Suu Kyi".

We have also received recently disturbing news from inside sources that the military has ordered a brigade to shave their heads and dress up as monks to start inciting violence, so that the military will have an excuse to crackdown. We are seriously concerned about the risk of a violent crackdown, and now it is time to take our vigilance to a new level and act!

We are certain that China is they key to change inside Burma. They have paralyzed the UN Security Council so far, and they must accept a more responsible and multilateral role. Those staging the protests inside Burma are not just aware of China's negative support in Burma, but very upset by it as well. On Saturday a large group of monks marched to the Chinese and Russian embassies and protested in front.

If you have ever cared about Burma, now is the time, at the crest of the largest public demonstrations in 20 years to join in and show your support.

We are working on bringing in as many world leaders, celebrities, news agencies on board with this story, but you need to play your part as well. It will not just be Americans working for this, but a global movement as well.

Starting this Wednesday (September 26th) we will begin a global week of ACTION. With an explosion of action we will make sure that everyone from world leaders to your next door neighbors have their eyes focused on Burma. Having this global focus will not only help in the protection of those demonstrating, but also make sure that the calls of the monks and civilians gets turned into international action.

HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO:

- Be a part of our 88,000 signatures campaign. I am asking people to collectively gather 88,000 signatures from around the world, calling on Chinese President Hu Jintao to compel Burma towards valid national reconciliation. Sign the petition here online: Click Here

OH BUT WAIT... you don't get off to so easy. Download the petition from our website and get hundreds and thousands of people to sign it. We're going for 88,000. Download Petition Here

- Hold a Saffron Supporting Event.. It doesn't matter whether you live in a major city or not, you can still organize an event. These can be a powerful tool to raise awareness in your home town, and millions of eyes on Burma is exactly what we need with the military on the verge of a violent crackdown. You can organize a march, candle light vigil, or get creative and do any sort of action that will work for you and your community. Global Events are occurring this next week and I want the US to be well represented. Sign up to hold an action in your town here: Click Here to Sign Up

- Donate to USCB: We are running at full steam and are in strong need of financial assistance. Click Here to Donate

- Create a YouTube video for the Republican presidential debates asking them what they will do to help Burma:http://www.youtube.com/debates

Thank you all for your work, and please let me hear from you on what you are doing- thelma@uscampaignforburma.org


- Thelma Young
Campaigns Coordinator
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Old 09-25-2007, 05:52 PM
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Old 09-25-2007, 06:26 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lindsay
"Today at the UN Bush announced new economic sanctions on the Burmese government"
oh he loves those sanctions, doesn't he. Worked very well in Sudan.
He doesn't have much other choice now... getting the Marines there isn't the wisest thing to do and the Security Council is boycotted by China. (on the contrary, Sudan's solution is getting an AU/UN pacification force there with authorisation to engage the Janjaweed. In Sierra Leone, 500 british soldiers did wonders in 1999)
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Old 09-25-2007, 06:29 PM   #22
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http://www.breakingnews.ie/world/mhcwsneykfsn/

China has secretly urged Burma’s military rulers to solve the crisis that is provoking continuing street demonstrations by thousands of people.

Publicly Beijing said it would keep its usual hands-off approach toward its neighbour, but diplomats said it has been using behind-the-scenes approaches.

A senior Chinese official asked the Burmese junta this month to solve their differences with opposition democratic forces. It also arranged a low-key meeting in Beijing between Burma and US State Department envoys to discuss releasing Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and leader of Burma’s democratic opposition who is under house arrest.

For China, Burma’s staunchest diplomatic protector, largest trading partner and a leading investor, the shift is crucial.

Asian and Western diplomats in Beijing and Southeast Asia say China’s influence in Burma could be key in stopping the junta from turning to violence.

“China has been working to convey the concerns of the international community to the Burmese government, ”one Western diplomat in Beijing said. “But it could definitely do more to apply pressure.”

However, diplomats and experts cautioned that China’s communist leaders may not be willing to push harder.

Burma’s junta has resisted economic sanctions from the West, and past appeals from Southeast Asian neighbours and the UN.

Economically booming China has filled the diplomatic and economic vacuum, eying Burma as a strategic path to the Indian Ocean and investing in its teak forests and its gas and mineral fields – and picking up an ally.

Burma “was a vassal state of China’s for centuries, and it’s fast reverting to that status,” said Sean Turnell, an economist and Burma expert at Australia’s Macquarie University.

China protected Burma from scrutiny and sanction in the UN Security Council earlier this year.

China’s own deep political and economic interests in Burma are now spurring it to act, diplomats and experts said. With next year’s Beijing Olympics already bringing China higher international scrutiny, Chinese leaders will not want to be associated with another repressive, unpopular regime.
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Old 09-25-2007, 08:03 PM   #23
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070925/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush

Bush mentions her in his speech.
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Old 09-25-2007, 08:14 PM   #24
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Originally Posted by mickey13086
As long as he doesn't declare her dead like he did with Nelson Mandela the other day
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Old 09-25-2007, 08:15 PM   #25
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/7012673.stm

Burmese military announces curfew

Burma's military leaders have imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the main cities Rangoon and Mandalay, which have seen escalating anti-government protests.
Armed troops have now been deployed after tens of thousands of Buddhist monks and civilians again defied the army's warning to stay off the streets.

World leaders at the UN General Assembly have condemned the situation.

President George W Bush said the US was "outraged" by Burma's human rights record and announced further sanctions.

These include US visa restrictions on the Burmese leadership and their financial backers, Mr Bush said.

Analysts say further sanctions are unlikely to be effective without the support of Burma's main trade partners, China and India.

Opening the assembly, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged Burma's military rulers to show restraint after more than a week of growing protests.

Earlier, close ally China called for stability and the EU also urged the junta to show restraint and launch a process of real political reform.

Tens of thousands of monks and civilians marched through Rangoon in the latest in more than a week of protests.

Some chanted "we want dialogue" while others simply shouted "democracy, democracy".

After the march finished, eyewitnesses told two news agencies they had seen several military trucks moving on Rangoon's streets.

Reuters reported that eight trucks of armed riot police and 11 trucks of troops had moved into the city's centre.

The military announced the curfew through loudspeakers on vehicles cruising through the streets.
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Old 09-26-2007, 07:46 AM   #26
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/7013638.stm

Burma riot police beat back monks

Burmese police have used batons and tear gas to beat back monks and other protesters at the Rangoon pagoda used as a rallying-point for marchers.

They baton-charged the crowd outside the Shwedagon Pagoda as demonstrators readied for a ninth day of protest marches, eyewitnesses say.

Police and troops have been ringing Buddhist monasteries in the city.

Analysts fear a repeat of the violence in 1988, when troops opened fire on unarmed protestors, killing thousands.

In a further sign that the military authorities are cracking down, two key dissidents were arrested

It appears that small groups of monks seem set on defying calls by the military to end their daily protests, says the BBC's Asia correspondent, Andrew Harding.

The protesters had turned up at Shwedagon, which was blocked off by security forces, in defiance of a ban on all public gatherings of more than five people, and a night-time curfew.

Police beat their shields with their batons and yelled orders to disperse before chasing scores of monks and their supporters.

Eyewitnesses say some protesters fell to the ground amid the chaos.

"We have already decided to risk our lives for the people, although there might be some clashes," one senior monk told AFP news agency before the baton charge.

"We will show our kindness first."


Wow, these are tough policemen, beating unarmed monks. I hope the Saffron Revolution succseeds and the prosecutions can begin.
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Old 09-26-2007, 10:50 AM   #27
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Apparently the first person, a monk, has been shot
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Old 09-26-2007, 12:08 PM   #28
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I just saw a great shot of the crowds marching on tv. They were streaming past a cinema and the title of the film above their heads stood out to me. It just said "Transformers".
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Old 09-26-2007, 01:04 PM   #29
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Reuters are reporting that a Monastery says at least 2 monks killed.
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Old 09-26-2007, 02:15 PM   #30
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this is all so f*cking wrong.
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