US eager for UN envoy report on Myanmar

US eager for UN envoy report on Myanmar

WASHINGTON : The United States on Tuesday took a wait-and-see approach to a UN special envoy's visit to Myanmar after a deadly crackdown on protests there and said it looked forward to his report.

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Myanmar police, soldiers deployed to pagodas and monasteries

Myanmar police, soldiers deployed to pagodas and monasteries

YANGON: Military-ruled Myanmar deployed armed soldiers and riot police to key pagodas and monasteries around Yangon on Wednesday, in a bid to prevent Buddhist monks from staging anti-military protests, witnesses said.

Security forces were deployed around the Shwedagon Pagoda, where monks have begun their marches over the last eight days, as well as the Sule Pagoda, a key rallying point in the city centre, witnesses said.

The pagodas were not closed, but everyone was searched before being allowed to enter. 'Link'

Myanmar imposes curfew, declares Yangon 'restricted' area

YANGON : Myanmar's ruling military slapped dusk-till-dawn curfews on the country's two largest cities on Tuesday after Buddhist monks defied warnings of a crackdown and led 100,000 people in another day of mass protests.

The order, effective on Wednesday in Yangon and Mandalay, came after the ruling generals - under pressure after eight straight days of peaceful protests led by the monks - deployed at least 200 armed soldiers and riot police in Yangon.

"This order was issued because of the protests. Do not organise groups of more than five people," the announcement said, reiterating a long-time ban on assemblies that has been ignored as anti-government protests have swelled.

The 9:00 pm to 5:00 am curfew and the ban on public gatherings were to remain in place for 60 days, the announcement said.

Yangon has also been declared a "restricted area" - a term normally reserved for military or conflict zones. 'Link'

Japan to study "stern measures" against Myanmar

TOKYO : Japan said Monday it would consider "stern measures" against Myanmar after troops shot dead a Japanese journalist covering anti-government protests.

The comments came as a Japanese envoy was in Myanmar to press the government for answers on the killing of veteran video-journalist Kenji Nagai, who appeared in video footage to be shot at point-blank range.

"The Japanese government will study a variety of ways, including some stern measures, while watching how discussions develop in international institutions," chief government spokesman Nobutaka Machimura told reporters. 'Link'

Sanctions against Myanmar of little use: analysts

BANGKOK : The latest US sanctions imposed on Myanmar over the military's deadly military crackdown on dissent last week are mainly cosmetic and have little chance of pushing the regime to change, analysts said.

The United States has ordered a freeze on the assets of Myanmar's military leader and 13 other senior officials.

The US administration also slapped visa bans on more than 30 members of the junta and their families.

The United States and European nations already have tough economic sanctions in place, banning most investment and trade with Myanmar. Click the link to continue reading...'Link'

Read Updated Info From People Inside Burma

Accounts from inside Burma
Updating accounts from inside Burma, 'Link'

Sunday 30/09
The military junta made assemble in Myitkyina on Saturday morning. They said that anyone from each house must attend in the assemble. That's why everyone have to go there. Otherwise nobody want to go in assemble. If not they will put in the jail and they killed the leader of the monks from Myitkyina on Thursday night. Mi, Myitkyina, Myanmar

Saturday, 29/09
I left Burma today. I have travelled around the country for the past month. I witnessed and took part in protests in both Mandalay and Rangoon. I have been walking with the protesters every day this week in Rangoon. I was reluctant to leave, many people have told me that they would like more foreigners to be there with them to support them. After the monasteries clampdown there were armed security forces at every gate of every monastery, but still the people bravely went out on the streets to protest. The Sule Pagoda was like a military camp. There were boxes of ammunition everywhere. For the last several days I've given out flowers to soldiers telling them not to shoot. I don't think those soldiers want to do what they are doing. When I asked them whether they really want to kill people, they shook their heads in silent denial. There were fewer people protesting, this is because the army as well as firing into the crowd, are taking photos of the protesters. This scares them more than the bullets, because they know the repercussions. People are so desperate, they want international armed forces to go there. They feel helpless and heartbroken. Karen, Thailand

Around 14:00 GMT I got in touch with a local Burmese. He told me that the internet is back, but only limited sites are available. YouTube and blogs are blocked. So are the proxy-websites. We messaged each other in a google chat for about 20 minutes, before he got abruptly disconnected. I was trying to get him to install a proxy software. This is what he said: "I am risking a lot by talking to you, there are spies among us sent by the military. There is nobody on the streets now. The place is like a graveyard, only dogs could be heard barking. The last time I heard shooting was yesterday around 15:00." Ralph Wunsch, Vienna, Austria

Link back to 24Sept-28Sept

UN envoy back in Myanmar capital for talks: official

YANGON : UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari who met Myanmar's detained democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi over the weekend has returned to the nation's remote capital for expected talks with government leader, a UN official said Monday.

Gambari met with Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi for more than an hour on Sunday, and later that night flew to the administrative capital Naypyidaw in central Myanmar, the official said.

"He flew back to Naypyidaw yesterday evening," the UN official told AFP.

Gambari hopes to meet with Myanmar's reclusive leader Than Shwe, after holding talks with other senior officials on Saturday. 'Link'

UN envoy meets Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar

YANGON: UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari met Myanmar's detained democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and leaders of the ruling junta on Sunday, as he tried to broker an end to a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests.

Ibrahim Gambari met with Aung San Suu Kyi for more than an hour, the UN said in a statement. The rare encounter, seen as a sign of intense pressure on the military government, took place at a government guest house in the main city of Yangon.

Gambari was dispatched by UN chief Ban Ki-moon to intervene after the military government unleashed a military campaign to shut down the demonstrations several days ago, leaving at least 13 dead and hundreds arrested. 'Link'

UN special envoy arrives in Myanmar

YANGON : A UN special envoy arrived in Myanmar Saturday for talks with the government, which has locked down the nation's biggest city in a violent campaign to choke off mass demonstrations.

The United States has called on Myanmar's generals to also allow Ibrahim Gambari to meet with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the democracy icon who is being held under house arrest.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon dispatched the Nigerian-born Gambari to broker negotiations between the military and its pro-democracy opponents, who have mounted two weeks of mass nationwide rallies.

A violent operation to close down the demonstrations, which has run for four days and claimed at least 13 lives, appeared to have largely succeeded in deterring anti-government campaigners from returning to the streets.

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Special Report - Myanmar Turmoil

After days of peaceful protests, the situation in Myanmar has taken a violent turn. Security forces have begun firing warning shots at the thousands who continue to defy the military junta by staging protest marches in the capital of Yangon.

Continue reading this special report here...

Turmoil picture galery you really want to see.

Accounts from inside Burma

Most popular article from inside Burma (Myanmar) - news.bbc.co.uk

Accounts from inside Burma

Burmese people are continuing their protests in Rangoon, despite the use of force by the Burmese security forces.

People inside Burma have been e-mailing the BBC News website and talking to the BBC Burmese Service about the growing unrest.

Saturday, 29/09

It seems that the military has shown its power. The protests have been wiped out easily. The momentum and the determination of the people is winding down. The soldiers show no mercy against the people. Some people have seen soldiers walking into pagodas without taking their boots off. Obviously, they have no religion. They worship the military and their gods are the generals. The soldiers don't know what they are doing. I saw a man praying as the soldiers were beating him. This broke my heart. We need a leader. Where was our leader during this revolution? The monks were leading but now they are in the hands of the military. There's nobody to organise protests now. There are small crowds now swearing at the troops and causing violence. This is preposterous. Bush has tighten the sanctions on us, but it does not help us. Do you think the generals care? The sanctions can only hurt the economy and create more poverty. The UN needs to act directly through negotiations and pressure. The Chinese need to be more thoughtful. If they don't do anything they are risking the lives of millions of people. Samson, Rangoon

I just received a call from a friend in Rangoon. He says the army have been using loudspeakers to pass on the message that if anyone is seen running into a house for sanctuary, they are going to demolish the building. They are also warning people not to look out of their windows. Neil, UK

Continue reading what people have said in the last 5 days account from 24 Sept - 28 Sept