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'

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.

Continue reading at channelnewsasia.com

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

Burma's Secret War

You guys have to watch this video if you havent watched. Because it will make you feel sorry to the people in Burma and hate the goverment. And please be grateful and thank God of what we are now.

Please pray for the people in Burma if that's the only thing we can do!

Youtube comments:
"calling help from governments is a hopeless effort, civilians are tools used in a sick game, they dont give two hoots about us and now you can see a trend of lies from every world leader, people need to stand up and stick together!!! help the monks and the people, stop the new world order!!!!!!!!! spread the turth... if this new world order happens, what is happening in burma will happen to all of us in the rest of the world...by
Joewalshe38"

"Are all soldiers in Burma completely inhumane, hateful, heartless, souless beings? Is there any sense of humanity there? by KoBonG63"

"The Burmese army is made up of so many different ethnic groups, if 4 or 5 of the top Generals from the Junta were removed, it's quite possible that the military would crumble.
My suggestion would be for the Yanks to remove some of their resources from Iraq, position themselves somewhere where the Junta know they're in immediate dange and send in some black op's to start the process.
Enough fucking around. by Reba500"

China Vows To Help Myanmar

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has promised that Beijing will exercise its influence to bring calm in Myanmar Yasuo Fukuda said on friday.

China, and to a lesser extent Japan, have faced Western criticism for continuing to do business with Myanmar's military regime, which has launched a crack-down on anti-government protests.

"I spoke with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao over the phone today and asked for China's cooperation to calm down the situation, "Mr Fukuda told reporters.

"Premier Wen also told me China was making efforts along that line", he said.

The two leaders spoke by telephone to exchange views after Mr Fukuda took office this week.

China is the main international supporter of Myanmar, which provides the rapidly growing Chinese economy to the Indian Ocean.

Meanwhile, Japan has said it plans to continue its ais to Myanmar for now.

Source:Weekend TOday, dated 29-30/09/07