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Burma Confiscates Phones, Computers to Silence News

Authorities move to shut down last lines of communication to outside world

By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 9, 2007 4:06 AM CDT

(Newser) – The Burmese government is cutting the last lines of communication with the outside world, confiscating satellite phones and computers that reporters and bloggers were using to spread news of the violent repression of pro-democracy protests. Officials even demanded to see permits for satellite phones at a United Nations office. Authorities also searched other offices in a Rangoon hotel and office building for equipment.

They were looking for "systems that allowed information about the demonstrations to get out," said a UN official. The internet, cell phones and landlines have been blocked for over a week. Authorities were reportedly continuing to arrest activists, including computer owners suspected of transmitting protest news and images.

A man walks past the painting on a street that read, 'Free Burma, outside the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok, Thailand Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007. Myanmar's military leaders stepped up pressure on monks who spearheaded pro-democracy rallies, saying weapons had been seized from Buddhist monasteries and threatening to punish all violators...
A man walks past the painting on a street that read, "'Free Burma," outside the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok, Thailand Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007. Myanmar's military leaders stepped up pressure on monks who spearheaded...   (Associated Press)
Myanmar's activists stand on the ground painted with letters read 'Burma' during a protest outside the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok, Thailand Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007. A relentless crackdown on Myanmar's pro-democracy activists showed no sign of easing with the junta announcing Sunday that 78 more people have been detained in...
Myanmar's activists stand on the ground painted with letters read 'Burma' during a protest outside the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok, Thailand Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007. A relentless crackdown on Myanmar's pro-democracy...   (Associated Press)
Burmese monks release petals into the River Thames from Westminster Bridge close to the Houses of Parliament, during a protest march in London, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007, against the crackdown on protestors by the military authorities in Myanmar. Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown had earlier pledged extra funding for emergency...
Burmese monks release petals into the River Thames from Westminster Bridge close to the Houses of Parliament, during a protest march in London, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007, against the crackdown on protestors...   (Associated Press)
A monk returns to a temple on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, Oct. 8, 2007. (AP Photo)
A monk returns to a temple on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, Oct. 8, 2007. (AP Photo)   (Associated Press)
Buddhist monks gather for prayers at a temple on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006. The ruling military junta has admitted that hundreds of Buddhist monks were detained after troops turned their guns on last week's peaceful uprising. The junta's treatment of the Buddhist monks, who are...
Buddhist monks gather for prayers at a temple on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006. The ruling military junta has admitted that hundreds of Buddhist monks were detained after troops...   (Associated Press)
Buddhist monks gather for morning rounds at a temple on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006. The ruling military junta has admitted that hundreds of Buddhist monks were detained after troops turned their guns on last week's peaceful uprising. The junta's treatment of the Buddhist monks, who...
Buddhist monks gather for morning rounds at a temple on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006. The ruling military junta has admitted that hundreds of Buddhist monks were detained after...   (Associated Press)
In this photo made from video released Friday Sept. 28, 2007, by the Democratic Voice of Burma, showing a Japanese journalist, seen at centre, as he falls to the street after being shot during a protest in Rangoon, Myanmar, on Thursday Sept. 27, 2007. The Japanese journalist identified as Kenji...
In this photo made from video released Friday Sept. 28, 2007, by the Democratic Voice of Burma, showing a Japanese journalist, seen at centre, as he falls to the street after being shot during a protest...   (Associated Press)
In this photo made from video released Friday Sept. 28, 2007, by the Democratic Voice of Burma, showing a Japanese journalist as he lays in the street after being shot during a protest in Rangoon, Myanmar, on Thursday Sept. 27, 2007. The Japanese journalist identified as Kenji Nagai died from...
In this photo made from video released Friday Sept. 28, 2007, by the Democratic Voice of Burma, showing a Japanese journalist as he lays in the street after being shot during a protest in Rangoon, Myanmar,...   (Associated Press)
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United Nations • protests • Myanmar • Burma • Buddhist monks • Burma protest • satellite phones • computer

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