30th September : Protestors continue to take to the streets

(Time : 10.31am) Tayza owned Htoo company shut-downSenior General Than Shwe's right hand man business tycoon Tayza ownedHtoo trading company shut-down its operations since yesterday after giving two months salaries to its staff."After giving us two month's salary, staff were asked not to come back were told to contact the company in November.

Now, a split within Myanmar's ruling junta is seen to be emerging. Several ministers such as Aung Thaung, MaungThaung, Kyaw Hsan, Maung Oo and Thein Zaw are on Gen. Than Shwe side.Generals split between those who want to follow General Than Shwe and those who want to follow Gen. Maung Aye. According to a brigadier general, Gen. Maung Aye gave command to the military force to shoot the people protesting. But Gen. ThanShwe followers do not agree with that command. That BG also suggests the protesters should not shout slogans against the entire military force. People are peacefully protesting in Mandalay and no report of shooting as well. Detained inside monasteries in Mandalay Security forces continue to guard all the monasteries in Mandalay and impose restrictions on movement of monks, effectively barring monks from protesting." The forces have cordoned off several monasteries including Ma SoeYein and Mya Taung with barbed wires so that the monks cannot come out of the monasteries to protest. And fully armed soldiers guard the monasteries. Because of the blockade monks are heard shouting from inside.".Novices and young monks have been ordered to go back to their native places by police officials. Mandalay prisons director with two vehicles from the transport corporation department took several prisoners to a field in the foot of the Mandalay hill and asked a barber to shave off their heads.The eyewitness added that the authorities are forcing the prisoners to act as monks to create confusion and misunderstanding among the monks as well as the public so that they lose faith in the Buddhist clergy.

China in Call for Burma Restraint

Burma's closest ally, China, has made its strongest call yet for the military regime to end a violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. It comes after the EU urged China to lean harder on the the ruling military. Speaking at the UN, the Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said his government was hoping all sides would show restraint.

UN Envoy flies into Myanmar Maelstorm

(11:30 p.m.) Mr. Gambari, UN Secretary-General's special adviser on Burma, has reportedly arrived in Nay Pyi taw to talk with the junta leaders.To trick Mr.Gambari, UN envoy, the junta announces through their mouth-piece-media that there is a demonstration in Myitkyiinar . Actually that demonstration is a fake one for the junta wants to prove that their soldiers are not terrorist and not shooting at people and it's also the junta's plan to hide the truth of their terrorist evidences. At the same time, in Rangoon, the riot police are hitting with iron bar to any group of people whether they are demonstrators or not. After hitting violently, they arrest the people who collapse.29 Sep 07, 23:24Ko Hla: Myanmar military regime is arranging trip for Mr. Gambari to Myit-Kyi-Nar City of Kachin State which is in northern Myanmar. That news is coincided with the news received on Friday, that the regime backed USDA (Union Solidarity and Development Association) is forcing people to join faked protesting to trick UN Special envoy Mr. Gambari. People around the country believe that the regime will try their best to trick Mr. Gambari to ease international pressure.

YANGON (Reuters) - A U.N. envoy flew to Myanmar on Saturday to persuade its ruling generals to use talks instead of guns to end mass protests, but the U.S. expressed concern that Ibrahim Gambari had been moved away from troubled Yangon.

As Gambari arrived in the former capital Yangon, troops and riot police manned barricades in the area from which the pro-democracy protests have reverberated around the world. Police fired warning shots to disperse 100 protesting youths.

The U.N. representative, a former Nigerian foreign minister, made no comment on arrival as he went straight on to a flight to the generals' new capital, Naypyidaw, 240 miles to the north.
"We have concerns that Mr. Gambari was swiftly moved from Rangoon (Yangon) to the new capital in the interior, far from population centers," White House National Security Council Spokesman Gordon Johndroe said in a statement.He urged the junta, which has ruled Myanmar for 45 years, to allow Gambari wide access to people, including religious leaders and detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi."He's the best hope we have. He is trusted on both sides," Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo said of Gambari. "If he fails, then the situation can become quite dreadful."Before heading to Yangon, Gambari said in Singapore he was going "to deliver a message from the secretary-general to the leadership, a message that is very much by the Security Council"."I look forward to a very fruitful visit so that I can report progress on all fronts," Channel News Asia quoted him as saying.Asked if he expected to meet Suu Kyi, Gambari said: "I expect to meet all the people that I need to meet."

29th September : Euphoria turns to tears and blood flows on the streets

As Euphoria turns to tears and blood flows on the streeets of Rangoon people in many parts of the world turned out today in a show of soldiarity with the Burmese people. Many people hope to continue such action in order to maintain international pressure on Burma's military to end its violent regime.

Deep underlying political and economic problems in Burma are the reasons for the continued protests -reasons that will not go away so easily even if the protesters are crushed off the streets temporarily.

(Time : 6.10pm) There are strong reports emerging from Burma that splits are appearing within the army and Generals.

(Time : 11.30am) The UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari arrived in Burma today to

try to persuade the government to use negotiations instead of guns to end mass protests. The military regime are arranging for him to travel from Rangoon to the new Burmese capital Naypyidaw to meet with the military generals. Many human rights organisations have called for Mr. Gambari to stay in Rangoon where the majority of genuine protests have taken place so that he can really examine what is happening in Burma.

(Time : 8.45am) Last night the regime responded to the ongoing protests by not only cutting off the Internet but also mobile phone communication- the any news of continued repression and violence suppressed.

(Time : 8.30am) Troops and riot police manned barricades in the area from which the pro-democracy protests have reverberated around the world. Police fired warning shots to disperse 100 protesting youths. Small groups gathered today taunting the troops before scattering down alleys when they started to charge. In one incident, police fired warning shots to disperse 100 youths shouting slogans and waving bright red 'fighting peacock' flags. The government says it is acting with "restraint".

(Time 8.15am) News from Yangon: The military force raided 2 monasteries in TharKayTa Township last night. The soldiers raided TaYartShid Taung (108 Yard) monastery as well but the monks managed to escape. So the soldiers search the whole monastery took away 2 million Kyat of monetary-fund money.A high school student was shot down in South Oakkalapa Township yesterday. The student’s parents managed to get his body but the military searched the whole quarter and took the body by force, later.

MJS France : Promote Democracy in Burma

Press Release - September 26th 2007
At the time when military junta has started to crush down the huge range movement that is demonstrating for democracy since several days, the French Movement of Young Socialists reassert it support and it friendship with the whole democratic opposition in Burma.
As a part of « Free Burma » campaign of European Young Socialists (ECOSY), the French Movement of Young Socialists goes on involving for democracy in Burma.
The French Movement of Young Socialists reassert it support to the combat that the Peace Nobel Price Aung San Suu Kyi is leading since the quenched elections of 1990. We ask for the immediate discharge and the cancellation of all the barriers to freedom of speech and of move.
The French Movement of Young Socialists urge the European union and France to react publicly and firmly to support democracy in Burma and to open talks with the People’s Republic of China, main foreign support of Burmese regime.

Benoît CURINIER
Mouvement des Jeunes Socialistes France

Take action now : Join the Worldwide Protests Saturday 29th September

On Saturday protests are being held throughout the world. IUSY urges all its member organisations to join in these protests. Consult your local/national media for details of these protests. If you have information on protests in your country post them as a comment here so that other people are made aware of the protest. If you are member of facebook, join the group 'Support the Monks Protest in Burma', you will find information on some of the protests being organised.

ACT NOW-EXPRESS YOUR SOLIDARITY AND JOIN A PROTEST NEAR YOU !

SI stands firm with the people of Burma

The Socialist International, which has long supported the people of Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi, the National League for Democracy and the exiled National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) in their courageous struggle for freedom and democracy, reiterates today its firm support and solidarity with the Burmese people and with all those brave citizens who have taken to the streets nationwide to demonstrate their opposition to the ruling junta.
The Socialist International condemns unreservedly the criminal violence perpetrated by the military regime against innocent civilians with reports of many people injured and others killed. The Burmese generals should immediately stop these attacks, release Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners, and respect the lives and the rights of their citizens.
The Socialist International urgently appeals to the international community and to all nations to take all the measures necessary to prevent the Burmese regime from continuing this course of action, and implement initiatives to this end, including imposing sanctions on the military dictatorship and holding those responsible accountable for the crimes committed.
The Socialist International salutes the Burmese people for their bravery and their dignified, peaceful resistance to this brutal regime which has for too long ignored their needs and perpetuated the political and economic hardship under which they live. Today they do not stand alone. Millions of people around the world support their demands and have made their cause their own.
The Socialist International remains ready to continue cooperating with the people and the democratic forces of Burma to overcome this difficult moment in their history and to put in place the institutions required to build the future of democracy, peace and prosperity which they so deserve.

Various updates on situation in Burma 28 September

(Time 5.21 PM) The 'government' has cut Internet access, raising fears that a deadly crackdown was set to intensify.

Update on Situation in Yangon : Crowds taunt military (time : 16.45)

Crowds taunted soldiers and police who barricaded central Yangon on Friday to prevent more mass protests against Myanmar's 45 years of military rule and deepening economic hardship.
Potentially deadly games of cat and mouse went on for hours around the barbed-wire barriers in a city terrified of a repeat of 1988, when the army killed an estimated 3,000 people in its ruthless crushing of an uprising.
Few monks were among the crowds taunting and cursing the soldiers. When the troops charged, the protesters vanished into narrow side streets, only to emerge elsewhere to renew their abuse until darkness fell and an overnight curfew loomed.
"Fuck you, army. We only want democracy," some yelled in English. Despite the visceral anger in their voices, far fewer protesters turned out in Yangon than earlier in the week.
"May the people who beat monks be struck down by lightning," others chanted in Burmese a day after soldiers ransacked 10 monasteries and carted off hundreds of the monks who filled five city blocks with their supporters on Monday and Tuesday.

Update on Situation in Rangoon (time : 13.21)

Burmese soldiers and police are baton charging small groups of protesters who are trying to gather in Rangoon. They are arresting and imprisoning monks- so far over 700 have been arrested.They have raided dozens of monasteriesWhile the regime is stating only 9 have been killed the number is far closer to 200 They have snipers on tops of buildings to pick off the leaders. We are getting reports of a massacre at a temple last night, around 200 monks may have been killed.

Key Monasteries Sealed off, US steps up pressure

1. Burma's security forces have sealed off the five main monasteries in Rangoon and declared them no-go areas to prevent anti-government protests.Troops have sealed off the key monasteries and pagodas in Rangoon, including Shwedagon and Sule pagodas - the focal point for some of the larger protests earlier in the week.

2. The US has imposed sanctions targeting Burma's military leaders and called on China, one of Burma's closest partners, to put more pressure on the country.

Number of Detained Activists on the increase

Please check out the website of the thai based NGO 'Assisted Association for Political Prisoners' which is keeping a list of activists known to be detained by the military junta since the beginning of the peaceful protests in Burma began :

http://www.aappb.org/

Military Junta tightens control on the Media

The military rulers in Rangoon have taken the offensive in the battle to control the flow of information in the country.

Websites and internet blogs posting information and photographs of the government's action have been blocked. Telephone lines and mobile phone signals to monasteries, opposition politicians and student leaders have been cut. There have also been reports that mobile phone signals and telephone lines of domestic and foreign journalists have been cut.

All this has made it more difficult for people to upload pictures of the mass protests to be picked up by international satellite news channels and beamed around the world, including back to Burma.

In a sign that the military junta is afraid of foreign radio and satellite TV coverage of the protests and the crackdown, the state-run media has begun to blame foreign media for inciting the trouble.

Wear a RED T-SHIRT today in support of the people of Burma

Support those fighting for democracy in Burma-WEAR A RED T-SHIRT TODAY !

Latest from IUSY Member Organisation ABSL on Violence in Burma

Today IUSY received the latest information from our comrades of the All Burma Students League (ABSL) :

1. Last night, army, riot police and their handpicked thugs USDA ( union solidarity and development association) raided most of the monasteries in Rangoon. Several hundreds monks had been arrested. Authorities issued a decree which restricts monks to not go out from their monasteries between 9 pm to 5 am for the next two months.

2. The worst monastery is Nge-Kyar-yan located in South Okklapa 6/7 kilometer north of Rangoon, which is home for 400/500 monks. Nobody knows what happened last night there, but people found empty houses in the morning with a pond of blood and broken statute of lord Buddha.

3. Now people dare to take step forward as they are cannot bear to see that monks have either been beaten or killed. Since 10/11 am until now there has shooting in several places in Rangoon.

ABSL Statement on Army Crackdown of Peaceful Movement of Buddhist Monks

We. ABSL strongly condemned Burmese military regime named State Peace and Development Council, SPDC, for its brutal crackdown on peaceful movement of Burmese people led by Buddhist monks, in which three monks were killed, 17 people wounded and several hundreds of people had been arrested.
We are also saddened with deep pain by this crackdown of SPDC regime which had never been happen in history of Burmese society, as faithful Buddhist Burmese held high esteem regard to the Monks and none can consider to harm or even none dare to show disrespectedful them up.
We fell disturb and hurt by the India’s inaction to prevent such treagedy mete out against Buddhist monks and people who practicing Gandhian way of nonviolent with compassion for peace and prosperity in the country, release of all the political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi and national reconciliation.
It is a tragedy that the SPDC could not heed the numerous suggestion of international community and the peoples of Burma to embrace reconciliation stance, through sustainable dialogue to end the decades long conflict.
We are deeply concern over the consequences of regime’s stubbornness to hang on power may drag-down Burma into genocidal war like in Rwanda, as Sangha ( Monk Society ) issue a statement that said they are pledge to continue to fight and they are already to sacrifice, and call for people participation.
It is high time now that the international community, India and China in particular, to condemn Junta’s heinous crime and urge SPDC regime refrain from brutal and violent war to resort the crisis. We are also appeal for the UN intervention to prevent repetition of 1988 treadegy.

Kyaw Than President
All Burma Students League
(issued on 26th September 2007)

PES tells Burma-The hour of change is near, the world is watching

The Party of European Socialists joined up with the Socialist Group in the European Parliament to urge the Burmese government to seize the opportunity for peaceful change, and to warm the government against repression of the peaceful movement for change. In a joint letter to the Burmese authorities from PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen and Socialist Group Leader Martin Schulz, they write “We believe there is now a unique opportunity for a peaceful and orderly change in Burma. We fear that the consequences of not seizing that opportunity will be particularly harsh – especially for those who might stand in the way of change.”Their letter states “The hour of change is near. The world is watching.”“We call on the Junta to choose the wise path – and move rapidly towards a peaceful and democratic resolution of the current crisis.”But they also pledge to work for new sanctions if the regime uses violence against the protestors. “We will do all we can to ensure that violence by the regime will trigger new sanctions by the international community.”Rasmussen and Schulz highlight their “admiration and support for the brave people of Burma who are peacefully demanding democracy and justice in their country” and state that ”The images of opposition led by Buddhist monks underlines to the whole world the peaceful intent of this movement for change, and the fact that the demand for change comes from the very heart of Burmese society.”

Go to http://www.pes.org/ to read letters by the PES and the Socilaist Group in the European Parliament as well as an open letter by other Socialist responsibles

IUSY Condemns Harsh Crackdown by Burmese Military on Pro-Democracy Protestors

In the continued crackdown by the military junta on protesters in Rangoon, the military have been broadcasting warnings that they should go home or face 'serious action'.

Fresh protests which began this morning have followed reported overnight raids of six monasteries in which soldiers smashed windows and doors and beat sleeping monks. Hundreds of monks were taken away in military trucks.

Two members of the National League for Democracy the party lead by Aung San Suu Kyi were arrested last night.

Protesters poured into the streets of Rangoon today in a strong act of defiance. As they sang nationalist songs and and hurled abuse at soldiers their actions were answered with gunfire and teargas from the military. It is unclear how many deaths have taken place but it is reported that 5 people were killed yesterday and a further 9 killed today a midst the fresh clashes in Rangoon.

IUSY strongly condemns the action of the military junta to quash the peaceful protests and calls upon the junta to show restraint and work towards ensuring peace. IUSY fears that a repeat of the violence in 1988, when troops opened fire on unarmed protesters, killing thousands will become a reality if the junta does not listen to calls from world leaders including China for restraint.

IUSY welcomes the prompt response from the United Nations (UN), which held an emergency meeting yesterday in New York on the occasion of the UN General Assembly to discuss the situation in Burma. IUSY is concerned that continued actions by Russia and China within the UN are blocking stronger international action in ensuring peace and democracy in Burma. However IUSY welcomes the decision by the UN to send its special envoy Ibrahim Gambari to the region, and calls on the Burmese authorities to receive him "as soon as possible".

Burma-Forgotten Nation, Forgotten People

The IUSY Students Working Group 'Burma Campaign' calls upon all of us to lobby at every level of the political process at national, regional and international level to:
1. Take all necessary measures toward a speedy restoration of democracy in Burma
2. Demand the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi
3. Call upon the Burmese authorities to end the systematic forced displacement of persons and the flow of refugees and the flow of refugees to neighbouring countries and create adequate conditions for their safe and voluntary return and complete integration, and to allow humanitarian personnel safe access to assist their return and reintegration
4. To call upon the Burmese authorities to end the continuing violations of the human rights of women, in particular forced labour, forced relocations, abuse, torture, sexual violence, exploitation and abuse in detention and summary executions, often committed by military personnel.

JS IN DE PVDA OUTRAGED BY CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN BURMA

Join our action for a free Burma!

For more than nine following days, monks and other Burmese citizens have been protesting against the military junta. JS in de PvdA is very impressed by the courage of all Burmese taking part in these peaceful and very powerful demonstrations which is calling for democratic change.

The last two day the Military Junta has been trying to brutally suppress the peaceful demonstrations, with lethal consequences. We welcome the response of the International Community condemning these brutalities.

It takes a very special kind of courage when people are willing to give up all they hold dear to them, for a democratic cause that they know is still very far away and on the short term very likely only offers them a one-way ticket to prison. However, this time, everybody seems to hold his or her breath, hoping for real democratic change this time.

Started by the monks, whom are perceived highly in Burma, the demonstrations are joined by more than 100.000 people. Therefore these demonstrations are the biggest since the uprising in 1988, which was brutally struck down by military junta, killing thousands of demonstrators. This we can not allow to happen this time!

Although we welcome the initiatives of the international community the need to intervene and help demonstrators, forcing and pressuring the military junta even harder by condemning their enforcement of power, is becoming greater.

JS in de PvdA calls upon all ECOSY and IUSY member organizations to actively support the democratic movement in and for Burma. This can be done in several ways: address the situation to your party and national government or address the Burmese representation in your country. Awareness is in this case very important, help us raise it!

We have to carefully watch the ongoing demonstrations in Burma and Socialists and Social Democrats have to respond to the violence used. Like opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi inspired us to do, we have to use our freedom to promote theirs!

Please join in our common struggle for free Burma, for more information please contact Zita Schellekens: zschellekens@js.nl.

Zita Schellekens
International Secretary JS in de PvdA


Michiel Emmelkamp
President JS in de PvdA

Burmese defy army warning and March against Military Dictatorship

(IUSY Statement 25th September 2007)

Since the 15th August, protests have been sparked by actions undertaken by the ruling junta in Burma, in particular their decision to double fuel prices which have hit people hard in the impoverished nation.

On 5th September the junta injured several monks at a protest in Pakokku, apologies were not forthcoming which drew fresh protests by monks and daily marches in Burmese cities have gradually gathered in size since 18th September. On the 22nd September 1000 monks marched to the home of Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon. On the 24th September new Rangoon marches draw at least 50,000.

Several thousand monks and civilians in Burma’s main city Rangoon have defied military orders and have begun fresh anti-government protests. Earlier today lorries with loudspeakers warned residents that the protests could be ‘dispersed by military force’. The protesters have been handing out pictures of Burmese independence hero Aung San, the deceased father of Aung San Suu Kyi. They are also carrying flags, including some bearing the image of a fighting peacock used by the students during the 1988 pro-democracy uprising.

Students are also openly marching today as opposed to simply forming a chain and clapping on Monday. The junta which violently repressed the 1988 protests killing some 3000 people finally broke its silence over the mounting protests saying yesterday that it was ready to “take action” against the protesters.

IUSY calls on the military junta to avoid bloodshed and allow for dialogue on the basis of democracy to address the issues of the Burmese people that are marching on the country’s streets. Moreover IUSY strongly urges the junta to take this opportunity to launch a process of real political reform.

In the coming days at the UN General Assembly, many countries particularly the US will be putting pressure on Asian countries to tackle the mounting instability and political oppression in Burma. IUSY firmly believes that the UN can provide a framework that will aid Burma to make a transition through political reform to a real democracy.

China is one of the closest allies of the ruling junta in Burma, but so far it has not made a public comment about the protests there. But China will be concerned about two things: the stability of Burma and the image of China. A stable Burma is important for China, as it is a corridor to the Indian Ocean and also a valuable trading partner. So instability or even war in Burma is not in Chinas interest. But neither is a bloodily crackdown, because China is worried about its own image in the run up to the next years Beijing Olympic Games. IUSY calls on China to play a more proactive role in relation to the question of Burma and support a move to pressure the junta into political reform and allow for a return to democracy and social and economic development which will benefit all Burmese people.