100,000

Burma monks defy threats from military


September 25, 2007 - 2:20PM


A sea of 100,000 people have marched in Burma for a second straight day, defying the junta's warnings that force could be used to end the biggest anti-government protests in 20 years.

Some 30,000 monks again took to the streets of Burma's main city Rangoon, their leaders chanting "democracy, democracy".

About 70,000 supporters joined them, despite warnings from the military regime that force could be used to end the long-running protest campaign.

In a gesture of defiance, some waved the bright red fighting peacock flag - the emblem of the student unions that spearheaded a mass uprising in 1988. That rebellion was eventually crushed by the army with the loss of an estimated 3,000 lives.

In an ominous reminder of what was a watershed moment in Burma's history, vehicles mounted with loudspeakers toured the city early on Tuesday, blaring out warnings of action under a law allowing the use of military force to break up illegal protests.

"People are not to follow, encourage or take part in these marches. Action will be taken against those who violate this order," the broadcasts said.

The warnings also accused factions within the deeply revered Buddhist monkhood of instigating protest marches "with intent to incite unrest".

But no security forces were visible despite the stiff warnings.

During Tuesday's rally, thousands of monks, cheered on by supporters, marched out from the city's soaring Shwedagon Pagoda - Burma's holiest shrine and the symbolic heart of a growing campaign against 45 years of unbroken military rule.

Some 700 staged a similar show of defiance in the country's second largest city of Mandalay.

"The protest is not merely for the well being of people but also for monks struggling for democracy and for people to have an opportunity to determine their own future," one monk in Rangoon said.

"People do not tolerate the military government any longer."

The monks led the crowd in chanting: "May we be free of torture, may there be peace in hearts and minds as our kindness spreads around the world".

The international community has pleaded with the generals to avoid another bloodbath, but the chilling message behind the legal language of the warnings was lost on nobody in the city of five million people.

"I'm really worried about the possible outbreak of violence," one street vendor said.

"We know from experience that these people never hesitate to do what they want."

It was the second straight day that some 100,000 have taken to the streets.

After Monday's crowd dispersed, state radio quoted Religious Affairs Minister Brigadier-General Thura Myint Maung as saying action would be taken against senior monks if they did not control their charges.

He was also quoted as telling the State Monks Council the protests were incited by "destructive elements who do not want to see peace, stability and progress in the country" - the junta code for the political opposition.

For the first time since protests against soaring fuel prices began a month ago, a small number of soldiers was deployed outside the gilded Shwedagon on Tuesday.

China, the closest the junta has to a friend, is calling for "stability" in Burma but says it will abide by its long-term policy of non-interference in the domestic affairs of its allies.

That was despite mounting calls for China - along with India and Burma's fellow members of the ASEAN group of Southeast Asian nations - to pressure the junta to exercise restraint.

"I think the voices that the Burmese military leadership hear the loudest are the voices of China and India much more than the voices of ASEAN, and they certainly don't focus very much on the voices of Western countries," Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said.

Gareth Evans, the head of the International Crisis Group think-tank and a former Australian foreign minister, said: "The regime has a long history of violent reactions to peaceful demonstrations.

"If serious loss of life is to be averted, those UN members with influence over the government are going to have to come together fast," he said in a reference to China, Russia and India.

Others urged the generals to address the grievances of Burma's 53 million people who, in the past 50 years, have watched their country go from being one of Asia's brightest prospects to one of its most desperate.

US President George W Bush was due to announce new sanctions and call for support for political change in a speech at the United Nations.

UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari said he was praying the generals opted for compromise and dialogue with the monks and opposition party of detained democracy icon and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi rather than sending in the troops.

"For the sake of the people of Myanmar (Burma), for the sake of neighbouring countries and for the sake of Myanmar's place in the world, we certainly hope that the same reaction that took place in 1988 will not be the case now," he told CNN.

On the streets of Rangoon, the mood was one of jubilation as years of pent-up frustration were allowed into the open - and trepidation at the possible consequence from generals caught on the horns of a major dilemma.

The Burma Campaign UK said its sources had reported the junta ordering 3,000 maroon monastic robes and telling soldiers to shave their heads, possibly to infiltrate the monks.

In 1988, agents provocateurs were seen stirring up the crowds, giving the military the pretext to restore order.

Although more than 150 people have been arrested since the protests started on August 19, the junta has so far remained reluctant to put soldiers on the streets, perhaps mindful of the 1988 bloodshed.

© 2007 Reuters,




-------------------




Bush to announce new sanctions on Burma


September 25, 2007 - 7:34AM


US President George W Bush will announce additional sanctions on Tuesday against the military dictatorship in Burma to support the push for democracy in the Asian country, the White House says.

Bush, in a speech at the UN General Assembly, would announce financial sanctions against key members of the regime and those who provide them financial aid, the president's national security adviser Stephen Hadley said.

The US action came amid a growing series of anti-government protests in Burma, also known as Myanmar.

As many as 100,000 protesters led by a phalanx of barefoot monks marched on Monday in the most powerful show of strength yet.

"It's very interesting what is happening in the country with the Buddhist monks who have joined this effort," Hadley said.

"Our hope is to marry that internal pressure with the external pressure coming from the United States and the United Nations and really all countries that are committed to freedom to try to force the regime into a change."

Hadley would not be specific about the financial sanctions to maintain what he called an element of surprise against those who might try to hide their assets.

But he said they would target key members of the regime and those who provide financial support to them.

He also said there would be a visa ban against those associated with the regime, including their families.

"He will call for the United Nations and for other countries there to do all they can to support a process of political change in Burma," Hadley said.

The US restricts imports and exports and financial transactions with Burma. Washington also has imposed an arms embargo on Burma.

© 2007 AP DIGITAL