Student leader Htay Kywe arrested
Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)
October 13, 2007 - With the unabated crack down on dissidents continuing, the Burmese military junta today arrested at least four more activists including Htay Kywe, a prominent 88 generation student leader, sources said.
Four activists including Htay Kywe, Mi Mi (alias) Thin Thin Aye, Aung Thu and an unknown fourth person were caught on Saturday by security forces, sources in Rangoon said.
"Yes, we heard that four of them – Ko Htay Kywe, Ma Mi Mi, Ko Aung Thu and another person were arrested today. We don't know the other person's name," a Rangoon resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, told Mizzima.
With several telephone phone lines still cut-off, the information could not be independently verified.
However, another Rangoon resident said, "I also heard that four of them were arrested. But I only know the name of Ko Htay Kywe and Ma Mi Mi. I heard that they were arrested on the street while moving to some other place in Rangoon."
Ko Htay Kywe and several other student activists have been in hiding, following the arrest of 13 student leaders including Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi on August 21 night.
The Burmese junta in its mouth-piece New Light of Myanmar said 15 of the prominent 88 generation student leaders have been arrested and indicated that they will be sentenced to long terms in prison for inciting riots and unrest.
The junta on Wednesday arrested two university students – Ye Mya Hein and Aye Myat Myat – sources said.
Authorities reportedly sentenced five students from Mandalay Institute of Medicine including Min Min Oo, who is apprenticing for doctor, to five years in prison with hard labour and were sent to labour camp in Kabbaw valley of Sagaing division.
Besides, authorities in Mandalay continue to hunt down students, who have participated in the recent protest, with the number plates of their motorcycles.
The arrested monks are being kept in various interrogation camps including the notorious insein jail, sources said.
According to the National League for Democracy, Burma's largest opposition party, at least 216 of its members have been arrested so far in the aftermath of the crackdown on the protest led by monks.
Meanwhile, Naw Ohn Hla, who regularly prays on Tuesdays for the release of detained Burmese democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, has been issued an order restricting her from moving outside her residential township of Hmawbe .
=======================================
Junta dismisses UN Security Council's statement
Mungpi
Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)
October 13, 2007 - The Burmese military junta has contemptuously brushed aside a UN Security Council statement calling for a dialogue with the pro-democracy opposition, saying it is determined to forge ahead with its planned 'Road map' to democracy.
In its state-run radio and television the junta issued a statement on Friday contending that the situation inside Burma did not pose any threat to regional and international peace and stability.
"It is regrettable that the United Nations Security Council has issued a Presidential Statement… totally disregarding the fact that the situation in Myanmar does not represent a threat to regional and international peace and security," said the statement, signed by Colonel Thant Shin.
The government, in keeping with the wishes of the people, has been implementing the Seven-Step Road Map to build a peaceful, modern, developed, disciplined and flourishing democratic state, which will garner the support of neighbouring countries, the statement said.
"The Government of the Union of Myanmar together with the people will remain resolved to continue its implementation of the Seven-Step Road Map," the statement said.
Critics, however, said the junta's road map, which after 14 tenuous years completed the National Convention as the first step, lacks a time frame and is designed to prolong military rule in Burma.
In early September the junta announced the conclusion of the National Convention, tasked with drawing up basic guidelines for a future constitution. The west and critics dubbed the convention as a sham for failing to include key political stake holders including detained pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's party – the National League for Democracy.
Meanwhile, the NLD hailed the UN SC's first ever statement, that included China's consent, calling on the junta to hold dialogue with pro-democracy opposition parties.
===========================================
Junta holds mass rally in Rangoon
Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)
October 13, 2007 - The Burmese military junta in Rangoon today mobilized over 10,000 people for a mass rally in support of the recently concluded National Convention. Ironically, the rallyists gathered despite the regime's order that prohibits the assembly of more than five people.
More than 10,000 people on Saturday gathered at the Thuwana football stadium in Thingan Kyun township of Rangoon, in support of the outcome of military junta's 14-year long National Convention, which was wrapped up in early September, local residents said.
The junta, as part of the massive crackdown on protests by monks and people, imposed curfew on September 25 and banned the assembly of more than five people in two of the countries largest cities – Rangoon and Mandalay .
"We have not heard of any announcement saying that the curfew and ban on gatherings have been withdrawn," a resident said.
A police officer in Rangoon said the imposition of curfew and ban on assembly of more than five people, is likely to be withdrawn in the ensuing week to show the international community that normalcy had returned to Burma.
"We are told that the curfew will be lifted very soon. I think that is because the government wants to shore up its image with Gambari, when he comes again," the officer, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said.
Ibrahim Gambari, special adviser to the UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Burma, who on October 2, concluded a four-day visit to Burma, has called on the junta to immediately withdraw the curfew and ban on gatherings.
The UN Secretary-General on Thursday said he will resend his special adviser on Burma, to the military-ruled Southeast Asian nation in an effort to facilitate dialogue between the ruling junta and opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
Ban Ki-moon said, his envoy will be begin consultations with key nations in the region starting with Thailand on Monday and follow it up with Malaysia, Indonesia , India, China , and Japan. Finally he will go to Burma .
====================================
UNSC slams Burmese junta, urges dialogue with Suu Kyi
Mungpi
Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)
October 12, 2007 - The United Nations Security Council on Thursday slammed the Burmese junta for resorting to violence on peaceful protesters and called for the release of all political prisoners. It urged the junta to begin a dialogue with opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
In the first formal action on Burma following the brutal suppression of protests last month, the 15-member council on Thursday said it strongly condemns the junta for its violent crack down and for continuing to detain peaceful protesters.
"The Security Council strongly deplores the use of violence against peaceful demonstrations in Myanmar [ Burma]," said the UNSC in a presidential statement release yesterday.
The Council also emphasized the need to immediately release all political prisoners and start a dialogue with detained Burmese opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
"The Security Council stresses the need for the Government of Myanmar [Burma ] to create the necessary conditions for a genuine dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all concerned parties and ethnic groups, in order to achieve an inclusive national reconciliation with the direct support of the United Nations," the statement said.
While welcoming the Burmese junta's appointment of an officer to liase with opposition leader, the Council said the commitments should be followed by action.
The UN Security Council's presidential statement, however, is not a resolution and lacks any binding. Activists said the message is weak because what Burma needs now is a binding resolution which includes an arms embargo.
"This is a first step, when what Burma needs is a concrete measure," Aung Din, Executive Director of the US campaign for Burma said.
"We hope the Council follows this move by implementing an arms embargo that stops countries from shipping weapons to this regime," Aung Din said in a statement on Friday.
However, campaigners welcome the statement, as it is the first-ever action by the Security Council and was an unanimous endorsement by all 15 members, including China and Russia.
But Aung Din urged the members of Security Council, "to be ready to discuss a resolution that includes an arms embargo very soon, as the regime will not listen to the voice of the Security Council if there is no concrete action beyond statements."
Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General on Thursday said he is set to resend his special adviser on Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, to the region this weekend to meet with regional partners on the situation in the strife torn Southeast Asian nation.
Gambari, who made a four-day visit to Burma in the week when the ruling junta brutally cracked down on peaceful protestors, will begin his consultations in Thailand on Monday, following it to Malaysia, Indonesia, India, China and Japan, "with a view to returning to Myanmar [Burma] shortly thereafter," a UN spokesperson said in a statement.
During his four-day visit, from September 29 to October 2, Gambari met junta leader Senior General than Shwe and several low ranking officers in Naypyitaw. The Nigerian diplomat was also able to meet detained Nobel Peace Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi twice.
Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)
October 13, 2007 - With the unabated crack down on dissidents continuing, the Burmese military junta today arrested at least four more activists including Htay Kywe, a prominent 88 generation student leader, sources said.
Four activists including Htay Kywe, Mi Mi (alias) Thin Thin Aye, Aung Thu and an unknown fourth person were caught on Saturday by security forces, sources in Rangoon said.
"Yes, we heard that four of them – Ko Htay Kywe, Ma Mi Mi, Ko Aung Thu and another person were arrested today. We don't know the other person's name," a Rangoon resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, told Mizzima.
With several telephone phone lines still cut-off, the information could not be independently verified.
However, another Rangoon resident said, "I also heard that four of them were arrested. But I only know the name of Ko Htay Kywe and Ma Mi Mi. I heard that they were arrested on the street while moving to some other place in Rangoon."
Ko Htay Kywe and several other student activists have been in hiding, following the arrest of 13 student leaders including Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi on August 21 night.
The Burmese junta in its mouth-piece New Light of Myanmar said 15 of the prominent 88 generation student leaders have been arrested and indicated that they will be sentenced to long terms in prison for inciting riots and unrest.
The junta on Wednesday arrested two university students – Ye Mya Hein and Aye Myat Myat – sources said.
Authorities reportedly sentenced five students from Mandalay Institute of Medicine including Min Min Oo, who is apprenticing for doctor, to five years in prison with hard labour and were sent to labour camp in Kabbaw valley of Sagaing division.
Besides, authorities in Mandalay continue to hunt down students, who have participated in the recent protest, with the number plates of their motorcycles.
The arrested monks are being kept in various interrogation camps including the notorious insein jail, sources said.
According to the National League for Democracy, Burma's largest opposition party, at least 216 of its members have been arrested so far in the aftermath of the crackdown on the protest led by monks.
Meanwhile, Naw Ohn Hla, who regularly prays on Tuesdays for the release of detained Burmese democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, has been issued an order restricting her from moving outside her residential township of Hmawbe .
=======================================
Junta dismisses UN Security Council's statement
Mungpi
Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)
October 13, 2007 - The Burmese military junta has contemptuously brushed aside a UN Security Council statement calling for a dialogue with the pro-democracy opposition, saying it is determined to forge ahead with its planned 'Road map' to democracy.
In its state-run radio and television the junta issued a statement on Friday contending that the situation inside Burma did not pose any threat to regional and international peace and stability.
"It is regrettable that the United Nations Security Council has issued a Presidential Statement… totally disregarding the fact that the situation in Myanmar does not represent a threat to regional and international peace and security," said the statement, signed by Colonel Thant Shin.
The government, in keeping with the wishes of the people, has been implementing the Seven-Step Road Map to build a peaceful, modern, developed, disciplined and flourishing democratic state, which will garner the support of neighbouring countries, the statement said.
"The Government of the Union of Myanmar together with the people will remain resolved to continue its implementation of the Seven-Step Road Map," the statement said.
Critics, however, said the junta's road map, which after 14 tenuous years completed the National Convention as the first step, lacks a time frame and is designed to prolong military rule in Burma.
In early September the junta announced the conclusion of the National Convention, tasked with drawing up basic guidelines for a future constitution. The west and critics dubbed the convention as a sham for failing to include key political stake holders including detained pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's party – the National League for Democracy.
Meanwhile, the NLD hailed the UN SC's first ever statement, that included China's consent, calling on the junta to hold dialogue with pro-democracy opposition parties.
===========================================
Junta holds mass rally in Rangoon
Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)
October 13, 2007 - The Burmese military junta in Rangoon today mobilized over 10,000 people for a mass rally in support of the recently concluded National Convention. Ironically, the rallyists gathered despite the regime's order that prohibits the assembly of more than five people.
More than 10,000 people on Saturday gathered at the Thuwana football stadium in Thingan Kyun township of Rangoon, in support of the outcome of military junta's 14-year long National Convention, which was wrapped up in early September, local residents said.
The junta, as part of the massive crackdown on protests by monks and people, imposed curfew on September 25 and banned the assembly of more than five people in two of the countries largest cities – Rangoon and Mandalay .
"We have not heard of any announcement saying that the curfew and ban on gatherings have been withdrawn," a resident said.
A police officer in Rangoon said the imposition of curfew and ban on assembly of more than five people, is likely to be withdrawn in the ensuing week to show the international community that normalcy had returned to Burma.
"We are told that the curfew will be lifted very soon. I think that is because the government wants to shore up its image with Gambari, when he comes again," the officer, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said.
Ibrahim Gambari, special adviser to the UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Burma, who on October 2, concluded a four-day visit to Burma, has called on the junta to immediately withdraw the curfew and ban on gatherings.
The UN Secretary-General on Thursday said he will resend his special adviser on Burma, to the military-ruled Southeast Asian nation in an effort to facilitate dialogue between the ruling junta and opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
Ban Ki-moon said, his envoy will be begin consultations with key nations in the region starting with Thailand on Monday and follow it up with Malaysia, Indonesia , India, China , and Japan. Finally he will go to Burma .
====================================
UNSC slams Burmese junta, urges dialogue with Suu Kyi
Mungpi
Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)
October 12, 2007 - The United Nations Security Council on Thursday slammed the Burmese junta for resorting to violence on peaceful protesters and called for the release of all political prisoners. It urged the junta to begin a dialogue with opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
In the first formal action on Burma following the brutal suppression of protests last month, the 15-member council on Thursday said it strongly condemns the junta for its violent crack down and for continuing to detain peaceful protesters.
"The Security Council strongly deplores the use of violence against peaceful demonstrations in Myanmar [ Burma]," said the UNSC in a presidential statement release yesterday.
The Council also emphasized the need to immediately release all political prisoners and start a dialogue with detained Burmese opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
"The Security Council stresses the need for the Government of Myanmar [Burma ] to create the necessary conditions for a genuine dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all concerned parties and ethnic groups, in order to achieve an inclusive national reconciliation with the direct support of the United Nations," the statement said.
While welcoming the Burmese junta's appointment of an officer to liase with opposition leader, the Council said the commitments should be followed by action.
The UN Security Council's presidential statement, however, is not a resolution and lacks any binding. Activists said the message is weak because what Burma needs now is a binding resolution which includes an arms embargo.
"This is a first step, when what Burma needs is a concrete measure," Aung Din, Executive Director of the US campaign for Burma said.
"We hope the Council follows this move by implementing an arms embargo that stops countries from shipping weapons to this regime," Aung Din said in a statement on Friday.
However, campaigners welcome the statement, as it is the first-ever action by the Security Council and was an unanimous endorsement by all 15 members, including China and Russia.
But Aung Din urged the members of Security Council, "to be ready to discuss a resolution that includes an arms embargo very soon, as the regime will not listen to the voice of the Security Council if there is no concrete action beyond statements."
Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General on Thursday said he is set to resend his special adviser on Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, to the region this weekend to meet with regional partners on the situation in the strife torn Southeast Asian nation.
Gambari, who made a four-day visit to Burma in the week when the ruling junta brutally cracked down on peaceful protestors, will begin his consultations in Thailand on Monday, following it to Malaysia, Indonesia, India, China and Japan, "with a view to returning to Myanmar [Burma] shortly thereafter," a UN spokesperson said in a statement.
During his four-day visit, from September 29 to October 2, Gambari met junta leader Senior General than Shwe and several low ranking officers in Naypyitaw. The Nigerian diplomat was also able to meet detained Nobel Peace Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi twice.
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