Myanmar trumpets release of protesters ahead of UN meet

Myanmar trumpets release of protesters ahead of UN meet - channelnewsasia.com

YANGON - Myanmar's state press on Sunday trumpeted the release of monks and demonstrators ahead of a UN Security Council meeting to discuss how to handle the military government following its crackdown on street protests.

Security Council members -- under pressure to condemn the military rulers after 13 people were killed in its drive to end the escalating pro-democracy rallies -- were to meet on Monday to debate a draft statement on Myanmar.

The New Light of Myanmar newspaper said Sunday that more than half of the 2,171 people arrested after the biggest anti-government protests in nearly two decades has been released, repeating figures given late Saturday on state TV. "Link"

U.N. Envoy Ends Mission to Myanmar

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — A U.N. envoy completed his mission to Myanmar on Tuesday with no word of progress on the military junta's refusal to address the people's insistent demands for democracy.

The envoy, Ibrahim Gambari, finally met with Myanmar's reclusive leader, Senior Gen. Than Shwe, in the remote capital of Naypyitaw after days of delays. Neither side issued any comment that could satisfy the world's hopes for a halt to the junta's harsh crackdown on protesters, which began last week.

Gambari then flew to Yangon to meet Aung San Suu Kyi, the detained pro-democracy leader. It was his second meeting in three days with the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who has spent 12 of the last 18 years under house arrest.

The second session with her came as a surprise. As he flew out of the country, the United Nations released photos of a grim-faced Gambari and an equally somber Suu Kyi shaking hands at Myanmar's State Guest House. 'Link'

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'