Protesters around globe stage protests
as US weighs sanctions
BBC Oct 6, 07 10:36 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Protesters around the world staged a series of rallies today to protest Burma's crackdown on dissent and show support for the nation's monks. The protests began in New Zealand and were to continue in big cities throughout the world at noon local time, the BBC reported. The US and other Western nations, meanwhile, began pushing for UN sanctions.
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Junta's overtures to dissident Suu Kyi 'historic opportunity'
Associated Press Oct 5, 07 6:56 PM CDT
(Newser)
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The UN's envoy to Burma told the Security Council today that a proposed meeting between the country's military leader and detained activist Aung San Suu Kyi was a "historic opportunity"—but only a first step toward ending mistrust that contributed to the government's recent crackdown. The US ambassador reiterated his threat of Council action, though China and Russia oppose any move.
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300K mobilize through social networking site
Wired Oct 5, 07 1:50 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Mammoth networking site Facebook is triggering a massive mobilization of protesters around the world who will hit the streets this weekend in support of the Burmese monks, Wired writes. Nearly 300,000 people have joined the Facebook group "Support the Monks' Protest" since a story on the movement broke last week, and thousands of those are expected to turn out for marches tomorrow in cities from Taipei to Vienna.
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Warned junta against quelling protests, met Suu Kyi this morning
BBC Oct 2, 07 9:32 AM CDT
(Newser)
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UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari left Burma today after meeting with a top general and a second meeting with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, released from house arrest for the talks. Gambari, who was attempting to open dialog between the military junta and dissidents whose protests were brutally suppressed last week, had cooled his heels for four days before Gen. Than Shwe agreed to see him, the BBC reports.
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Cyber dissidents on the lam
Times (UK) Oct 1, 07 9:14 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Burmese bloggers whose accounts and photos of the Saffron Revolution and the brutal crackdown by the military dictatorship riveted the world last week are now being hunted by authorities, reports the Times of London. With the Internet shut down and the streets swarming with troops, the bloggers have gone underground.
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Suu Kyi freed briefly from 12-year house arrest for key sitdown
Associated Press Sep 30, 07 11:06 AM CDT
(Newser)
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The United Nations' envoy to Burma met briefly today with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to discuss the violent crackdown on anti-government demonstrations, reports AP. The UN representative first met with leaders of the military junta, which continued to lock down the nation's largest cities in the wake of violent reprisals that killed at least 10 protesters.
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Regime restores internet links but standoff with protesters continues
Reuters Sep 29, 07 6:42 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Troops faced off with several hundred pro-democracy protesters again today in central Yangon as a UN envoy arrived in Myanmar to try to persuade military rulers to negotiate peacefully with demonstrators. There were scattered reports of violence, but no gunfire. With soldiers stationed on every corner and shopping malls, grocery stores, and public parks closed, few residents ventured outside, Reuters reports.
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Expat portal describes unreported police savagery
Democratic voice of Burma Sep 27, 07 2:43 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Eyewitness accounts posted on a Burmese expat site offer rare details of Myanmar's brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. One post today described an early-morning raid on a monastery where soldiers broke down the gate with a truck, and attacked monks, along with women and children in their care, with bamboo sticks, before hauling away 100.
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Japanese reporter among dead as troops scatter protesters
Reuters Sep 27, 07 12:04 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Burmese troop forcibly scattered some 70,000 protesters for a second day today, with gunfire claiming the lives of at least nine—even as leaders around the world called for restraint. One of the dead is reportedly a Japanese photographer, spawning fears that the junta is targeting journalists to prevent news coverage.
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Monks continue to march against military despite violence
BBC Sep 26, 07 10:31 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Five monks are reported dead and many are wounded after riot police fired at pro-democracy demonstrators, beat them with rifle butts and arrested more than 100 today in continuing protests in Yangong, Myanmar. Security forces surrounded six monasteries; as monks approached troops fired tear gas and live rounds over the protesters' heads, and then charged, the CNN and the BBC report.
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Monks continue march as tensions with police escalate
CNN Sep 26, 07 3:56 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Buddhist monks and pro-democracy activists clashed with riot police today as they continued their protest in defiance of the Myanmar regime's ban on public assembly. Police in Yangon fired warning shots and tear gas, chased and beat monks, dragged protesters into waiting trucks, and beat their shields with batons while shouting orders to disperse, CNN reports.
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Prez announces new sanctions, visa ban at UN
New York Times Sep 25, 07 1:40 PM CDT
(Newser)
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President Bush told the UN General Assembly today that the US will tighten economic sanctions on Burma and impose a travel ban on its military junta leaders. The US has long maintained an embargo against the country, which is now in its eighth day of anti-junta protests. “The people’s desire to freedom is unmistakable,” Bush said.
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Junta warns of action against protests
Associated Press Sep 25, 07 6:30 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Pro-democracy protests in Myanmar continued for an eighth day today, with tens of thousands of Buddhist monks, joined by students, taking to the streets in Yangon in defiance of government orders. The ruling junta threatened Monday night to crack down on the demonstrations, instructing the monks to return to their monasteries, the AP reports.
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Detained Nobel laureate allowed to pray briefly with monks
BBC Sep 22, 07 10:34 AM CDT
(Newser)
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The nonviolent protests that have rocked Myanmar got a boost from opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi today as she greeted Buddhist monks outside the house where she has been a prisoner for four years. Guards loosened up the roadblock that has been in place since the protests began and allowed Suu Kyi and the monks a moment of silent prayer together.
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He warns that world will be watching during Olympics
Reuters Sep 7, 07 6:07 AM CDT
(Newser)
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President Bush yesterday called on Chinese officials to demonstrate a commitment to "greater openness and tolerance" before the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In a speech to business executives in Sydney on the eve of the Asia-Pacific summit, Bush emphasized the need for greater freedoms throughout Asia and warned China that the world will watching during the international games.
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