October 17, Associated Press

Myanmar’s military junta said on Wednesday it was still hunting for

protesters who took part in a recent pro-democracy uprising, noting that

nearly 3,000 had been detained since their crackdown started and hundreds

remained in custody.

The official statement from the junta was published on the front-page of

The New Light of Myanmar, a government mouthpiece, as a U.N. envoy pressed

Asian nations to take the lead in resolving the Myanmar crisis.

“Those who led, got involved in and supported the unrest which broke out

in September were called in and are being interrogated,” the junta said

in its statement. “Some are still being called in for questioning and

those who should be released will be.”

The statement said that 2,927 people had been arrested since the crackdown

started and nearly 500 were still in custody.

In their last tally of arrests, released on Oct. 8, the junta said that

nearly 2,100 had been arrested.

Everyone released from custody was required to sign “pledges” the

statement said, without elaborating.

Protesters freed from custody have said in interviews that they had to

sign statements saying they would not take part in protests or support the

pro-democracy movement.

The junta has said 10 people were killed when troops fired into crowds of

peaceful protesters during the Sept. 26-27 crackdown.

Diplomats and dissidents say they believe the death toll is higher and

that up to 6,000 people were seized, including thousands of monks who led

the rallies.

Myanmar was under increasing international pressure to call off its

crackdown, as Japan canceled a multimillion dollar grant and China threw

its weight behind a U.N. envoy’s efforts to ease the crisis.

But ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which Myanmar is

a member, said it would not support any sanctions against the military

regime.

China – a longtime ally of Myanmar – said it backed U.N. special envoy

Ibrahim Gambari’s mission to the region. Gambari is seeking to rally Asian

countries to take the lead in pressing Myanmar to reconcile with

pro-democracy groups, which have seen hundreds of their members detained

and beaten following last month’s protests.

He was to leave Malaysia for Indonesia on Wednesday, and also make stops

in Japan, India and China before traveling on to Myanmar. He started his

six-nation tour in Thailand.

Japan, Malaysia’s biggest aid donor, had already said it would suspend

some assistance in response to the death of Japanese video journalist

Kenji Nagai, who was among those killed during the crackdown.

In addition, the government would cancel a grant worth 552 million yen

(US$4.7 million; euro3.3 million) for a business education center, slated

for the Yangon University campus, Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka

Machimura said in Tokyo.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi Yang told reporters

Tuesday that Myanmar’s recent calm after last month’s violence was “the

result of hard work and cooperation from all sides.”

China is considered a key country in the effort to persuade the junta to

open talks with the pro-democracy movement, because of its close

relationship with the military regime. It also is a permanent member of

the U.N. Security Council, giving it veto power over any U.N. action. It

has been uncooperative in past efforts to pressure the junta.

The U.N. Security Council issued its first-ever statement on Myanmar last

week, condemning the clampdown and calling for the release of all

political prisoners.

The opposition National League for Democracy party of detained Nobel

laureate Aung San Suu Kyi said Tuesday that more than 300 party members

had been detained since August, including 60 within the past week.

Myanmar’s military leaders have rebuffed calls for reforms, saying the

only way to bring change is to follow the junta’s seven-step “road map”

to democracy, which is supposed to culminate with elections at an

unspecified date.

So far, only the plan’s first stage – drawing up guidelines for a new

constitution – has been completed, and that took more than a decade.

Critics say the road map is a ruse to allow the military to stay in power.

Oct 17, 07 1:30pm AFP

A UN envoy met with Malaysian leaders today as he enlists Southeast Asia’s help to push for democratic reforms in Burma, with a source saying he wants “real action” from regional powers.

The diplomatic source who was briefed by UN troubleshooter Ibrahim Gambari said he wants to “see what Asean governments are really prepared to do” to resolve the crisis in Burma following its violent crackdown on dissent.

“It is not enough for Asean countries to make statements expressing concern. They must now work together with the UN, China and India,” the source told AFP, referring to the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

“Gambari wants Asean to be really involved in monitoring what is happening in Myanmar (the junta’s new name for Burma), not just statements from conference to conference.”

“Press statements are not enough. Asean countries must be willing to take real action.”

The source was briefed by Gambari in Malaysia, where the UN envoy arrived on Tuesday as part of a regional tour.

Meeting with Pak Lah

He met today with Malaysia’s Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar and was due to hold a press conference later in the day.

The regime in Burma has come under heavy international pressure since it violently suppressed pro-democracy protests led by Buddhist monks last month, triggering condemnation from around the world.

Gambari’s Asian tour is aimed at increasing pressure on the ruling junta to halt its crackdown on the peaceful rallies, release political detainees and launch talks with the pro-democracy opposition led by Aung San Suu Kyi.

The diplomatic source said the envoy wanted Southeast Asian governments – who have been criticised in the past for failing to tackle their troublesome neighbour – to step up to a new level of engagement on Burma.

“Asean members must be persistent and monitor, and make sure that expected discussions between the Myanmar government and the opposition and other parties actually take place,” he said.

“In the past, this was all left to the Myanmar government. This must now change.”

Syed Hamid said yesterday after his first meeting with Gambari that the envoy had the full support of Asean, but that the bloc would never suspend Burma from the grouping.

“If you want Myanmar to continue to be engaged, first we should not be talking about suspending. Nobody can talk when you are threatening with all sorts of things,” he said.

Membership sponsored by KL

Malaysia sponsored Burma to join Asean in 1997, but has recently become highly critical of the ruling generals, who snubbed Syed Hamid during a visit last year.

However, Syed Hamid said Burma’s neighbours must work to prevent the impoverished nation from becoming even more internationally isolated, notably by fostering dialogue between it and the United Nations.

Burma indicated yesterday it would continue to be impervious to outside pressure, even as Japan cut aid and European nations widened sanctions.

And today it stepped up its rhetoric, blaming Buddhist monks for the crackdown on anti-government protesters as it admitted nearly 3,000 people had been detained over the rallies.

Gambari said in Bangkok this week on the first leg of his trip that reports of further arrests of activists by the military regime were “extremely disturbing.”

He is due to fly on to Indonesia, India, China and Japan. He aims to return to Burma by mid-November.

- AFP

16 October 2007

The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) firmly supports the call of former world leaders for a global arms embargo on Myanmar . A United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution on an arms embargo will serve to protect civilians in the conflict-stricken country.

The embargo is necessary immediately, given the recent use of violence by the Myanmar military junta during its brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters.

AIPMC also urges ASEAN to support, if not initiate, such a UNSC resolution. ASEAN stands in good stead given that none of its member-countries sells arms to the regime. AIPMC understands that ASEAN wishes to see a global decrease in arms shipments. An arms embargo on Myanmar is consistent with ASEAN’s vision for a stable and secure region.

The Myanmar military junta has shown, on numerous occasions during its reign, that it does not use its weapons for self-defence of the country but to suppress its own people and in recent times against foreigners, including a Japanese journalist.

AIPMC commends the initiative of 20 former heads of state and leaders, led by Former Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik, when appealing to President Hu Jintao of China to use his good office for an immediate stop to the violent assault against the people of Burma .

The Caucus also supports the call for the commencement of a dialogue between military leaders and various pro-democracy stakeholders in Burma . Parliamentarians in the region once again strongly call on the immediate release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, all political prisoners, monks and others detained recently.

AIPMC sees the urgency for an arms ban on Myanmar not only for the safety of the people of Burma but also to ensure regional security. The regime’s violence must not be tolerated. This is an opportunity for the international community to curb the regime’s unruly behaviour.

AIPMC Steering Committee

For media contact or to facilitate an interview with AIPMC members, please call: Roshan Jason (AIPMC Executive Director) at +6-012-3750974 or the numbers above.

SPEED UP MYANMAR RECONCILIATION PROCESS, URGES SECRETARY-GENERAL AS HIS SPECIAL ADVISER BRIEFS SECURITY COUNCIL ON RECENT VISIT
Deeply Concerned over Rights Violations, Members Call for End to Repression, Immediate Release of Political Prisoner

Expressing deep concern over reports of human rights abuse in Myanmar, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon this morning called for the release of detainees and an expedited reconciliation process in the country, as the Security Council prepared to hear a briefing by his special envoy to the South-East Asian country.

“The use of force against peaceful demonstrators is abhorrent and unacceptable,” Mr. Ban said, adding that comprehensive political dialogue between the Government and the political opposition was indispensable. The announcement of a possible meeting between Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was welcome and should take place as soon as possible.

A window of opportunity had been opened, and the Government must respond positively, he said, underscoring the importance of a united Security Council coordinating with the efforts of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the rest of the United Nations system in putting Myanmar on the path to democratization, peace and prosperity.

In his briefing, Ibrahim Gambari, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General, said he had emphasized to Myanmar’s highest authorities the changing domestic, regional and international context within which his mission was taking place, and expressed the international community’s deep concern at recent events. He had called for an end to night raids, arrests and curfews, and for the release of those arrested during the recent demonstrations.

Noting that the Secretary-General’s good offices was a process rather than an event, he stressed the importance of sustained engagement by the United Nations, including through that process, with the active support of neighbouring States and the wider international community. Any decrease in tensions could only be sustained if accompanied by positive steps to address the root causes of unrest. Key areas in which tangible progress could be made included the release of all political prisoners, the promotion of an all-inclusive national reconciliation process, full cooperation with humanitarian organizations and the cessation of hostilities in conflict areas.

In the ensuing discussion, Council members agreed that reconciliation and democratization were essential, as was the exercise of restraint. Some speakers strongly condemned the Government’s crackdown on protesters and threatened further action if certain conditions were not met. The United States called for the immediate release of detainees and political prisoners, otherwise it would pursue Security Council sanctions in addition to those it had already imposed against the regime.

Other speakers maintained that too much external pressure would be counterproductive. While supporting Mr. Gambari’s efforts, China’s representative said the situation was already calming down as a result of efforts by all parties inside the country and by the international community. Myanmar posed no threat to international or regional peace and security, and additional international pressure might cut off crucial dialogue with the United Nations. Instead, the international community should continue to offer constructive engagement and honest mediation as part of a long-term, gradual process, he said.

Speaking on behalf of ASEAN, the representative of Singapore called for the release of political detainees, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and urged Myanmar’s cooperation with the United Nations, while stressing the complexity of the situation. Sanctions should not be ruled out. ASEAN would take a responsible position, as Myanmar was part of the Association’s “family”, but its influence was limited. China and India had a long history of engagement with Myanmar and were uniquely placed to play a role.

The representative of Myanmar, maintaining that Singapore’s statement did not represent ASEAN, said his country had been going through a daunting challenge, but the situation had returned to normalcy. People all over the country were now holding peaceful rallies within the bounds of the law to welcome the successful conclusion of the National Convention and to demonstrate their aversion to the recent provocative demonstrations.

He said that, in view of the improved peace and stability in the country, curfew hours had been shortened in Yangon and Mandalay and detainees who had not infringed any serious laws had been released. To date, a total of 2095 monks and lay persons had been released, with more releases to follow. Myanmar would continue with its policy of national reconciliation, implementing its seven-step road map to fulfil the aspirations of the people. As part of that process, the Head of State had told Mr. Gambari that, should Daw Aung San Suu Kyi renounce her “obstructive and confrontational stance”, he would be ready to meet her personally. Mr. Gambari had also been invited to visit Myanmar again in November.

UN News Centre – Oct 5

AFP – 01 October 2007

UNITED NATIONS - Myanmar Foreign Minister U Nyan Win on Monday blamed the military crackdown against anti-government protesters in his country on “political opportunists” backed by “some powerful countries”.

“The situation would not have deteriorated had the initial protest of a small group of activists against the rise in fuel prices not been exploited by political opportunists,” he told the UN General Assembly here.

He said those “opportunists … aided and abetted by some powerful countries” also took advantage of protests “staged initially by a small group of Buddhist clergy demanding apology for maltreatment of fellow monks by local authorities.”

The minister asserted that Myanmar security forces showed “utmost restraint” and did not intervene for nearly a month.

He said authorities were then compelled to declare a curfew “when the mob became unruly and provocative.”

“When protestors ignored their warning, they (security forces) had to take action to restore the situation. Normalcy has now returned in Myanmar,” he added.

Nyan Win portrayed the turmoil as part of “neo-colonialist attempts” to impose Western-style democracy on Myanmar.

Associated Press – 01 October 2007

YANGON, Myanmar – Myanmar’s junta leader kept up his usual tactics for foreign critics Monday, packing a U.N. envoy off to a remote academic conference and stalling for another day the chance to deliver international demands for an end to the crackdown on democracy advocates.

Ibrabim Gambari, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s special envoy to Myanmar, has been in the country since Saturday with the express purpose of seeing Senior Gen. Than Shwe about the violence, but the junta’s top man hasn’t made himself available.

Than Shwe does not bother with the usual diplomatic protocol and is not an easy man to meet with. In previous sparring with the United Nations and other international bodies over human rights abuses, the regime has repeatedly snubbed envoys and ignored diplomatic overtures.

Instead of the meeting Gambari sought Monday, he was sent to a remote northern town for an academic conference on relations between the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, diplomats reported, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The town of Lashio, where the conference was held, is 240 miles north of Naypyitaw, the secure, isolated city carved out of the jungle where Than Shwe moved the capital in 2005.

Gambari was granted an appointment Tuesday to meet with Than Shwe in Naypyitaw, U.N. officials in New York said.