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Search increases for cameras and mobiles in Rangoon
Security forces in Rangoon continue to conduct rampant searches on passers by particularly in downtown areas. Eyewitnesses said soldiers and riot police are targeting people with cameras and mobile phone to curb the flow of information.
" The current situation is that it is extremely difficult and dangerous to get anything out. Riot police are charging anyone who brings out a camera or a cell phone. There are also random searches of bags," an observer told Mizzima.
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Security in Rangoon
Security has been stepped up in major road intersections and traffic points in Rangoon. As roads reopen, and normal traffic is back on the roads, soldiers and other security personnel remain positioned at traffic points. Military trucks are also seen patrolling the city.
"We could see people going in three or four groups. We have heard that people are determined to continue the protest today. It seems they will wait for the right time. They will look out for the right time and place. And if they get the chance, they will start again," a local resident told Mizzima.
" The numbers of Swan Arrshin members have gone up. These people are not familiar with the city and they are ragged, some don't even have sandals," he added.
However, in downtown Rangoon, security has been reduced compared to earlier days. Eyewitnesses told Mizzima that only in Sule, the heart of the city, security has been placed and the area has been cordoned-off with barbed wires.
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Situation in Mandalay
In Mandalay, Burma's second largest city where some students protested yesterday, eyewitnesses said people are seen in groups and another protest could be expected to begin at about 2 p.m. (local time).
Security has been increased on the 78th Street but it remains normal in other places including 35th and 34th Streets.
Authorities have assembled several members of the USDA and Swan Arrshin on a daily wage of 3000 kyat.
"They called people from the slums of Chan Aye Thar Zan Township last night. They were told to they will get a daily wage of 3000 kyat and would work for security. We believe the authorities will first deploy these people to crackdown on any protest," a local resident told Mizzima.
Monasteries continue to be guarded and in some monasteries several dozen armed soldiers are have been sent as reinforcements.
According to local residents, Regiment 11 has been brought into the city since yesterday.
Currently, military division 33, 22 and police are incharge of the security in Mandalay.
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INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE
Protest in Cambodia
In solidarity with the protesters in Burma and for the restoration of peace in the country Burmese activists and supporters today staged a protest rally in front of the Burmese embassy in Cambodia's capital city of Phnom Penh, amidst tight restriction.
Over 30 Burmese along with supporters with placards with slogans like "Peace for Burma", began a peaceful protest this afternoon. Organizers said they will continue the rally throughout the week.
Hla Htay, one of the Burmese protesters told Mizzima, "We have planned to protest in front of the Burmese embassy all through this week."
Organized by the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (CHRDA), the protesters called fro peace in Burma.
"Here the situation is tight, authorities have restricted any kind of demonstration, so we have to hold silent protests," added Hla Htay. However, he said the protesters are determined to continue throughout the week.
Earlier on September 28, over 50 activists including five Burmese had staged a similar protest in front of the Burmese embassy in Phnom Penh.
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Gambari yet to meet Than Shwe
UN Secretary-General's special adviser on Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, has extended his trip to Burma in order to have further talks with Burmese senior generals.
The UN envoy, on Sunday, met detained Burmese pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi after having met several junta officials on Saturday in Naypyitaw.
According to the UN information Centre in Rangoon, the envoy continues to remain in Burma and there is no confirmation of his meeting with Burma's top two generals Senior General Than Shwe and Vice Senior General Maung Aye.
But a statement of the UNIC said the Nigerian diplomat looks forward to meeting Senior General Than Shwe before concluding his mission.
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Myanmar crisis: Pope expresses concern
Pope Benedict XVI expressed serious concern on Sunday about the situation in Myanmar and said he strongly hoped that a peaceful solution would be found.
''I am following with great trepidation the very serious events'' in the Asian nation, whose military regime has violently cracked down on peaceful pro-democracy protests.
It was his first public comments on the developments this month in Myanmar.
''I want to express my spiritual closeness to the dear population in this moment of the very painful trial it is going through,'' the pontiff said during an appearance to pilgrims at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo in the hills southeast of Rome.
While assuring the people of his ''intense prayer'' and inviting ''the entire Church'' to also pray, Benedict said he ''strongly hoped that a peaceful solution can be found, for the good of the country.''
International calls have been growing for the government to peacefully end its crackdown on the protests, which have been primarily led by Buddhist monks.
Priests to stay away
However, the Catholic Church has ordered its clergy not to take part in demonstrations or political activities.
Reflecting comments last week by Yangon's archbishop, worshippers at Yangon's Catholic churches on Sunday read posted bulletins stating that priests, brothers and nuns were not to become involved in the month-long protests, but that lay Catholics could act as they saw fit.
But at one Yangon church, a Western priest told a mostly foreign congregation of some 100 worshippers that the international community speak out against the regime, criticizing those who remained silent.
''The situation now in Myanmar should not be deemed as `business as usual.' What's happening can be likened to a rape,'' he said in a sermon, asking not to be identified by name for fear of reprisals.
A handful of Myanmar residents were inside the church, and had apparently been sleeping there in recent days for fear their homes would be raided by security forces which set up a checkpoint about 10 meters from the church after the Mass.
The bulletins urged all Catholics to continue praying, fasting and offering Mass for Myanmar's welfare.
Myanmar's 450,000 Catholics make up about 1 percent of the population of the predominantly Buddhist country. Christians as a whole comprise about 4 percent.
Buddhist monks spearheaded mass marches through Yangon and other cities last week before troops and riot police moved in with guns, clubs and tear gas to disperse them.
Security forces also raided monasteries and arrested hundreds of monks.
In an interview with Vatican Radio Wednesday, Yangon Archbishop Charles Maung Bo said that ''in accordance to canon (church) law and the social teachings of the Catholic Church, priests and religious are not to be involved in any party politics and demonstrations.''
''Catholics as citizens of the country are free to act as they deem fit. The clergy and the religious (brothers and nuns) can give them proper guidance,'' the archbishop said.
The archbishop's statement was in line with general Vatican thinking.
Source: www.mizzima.com
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