Mike Cohen - War on Terror page

As I watched the U.A.A.P. coverage between Ateneo vs. DLSU, in the games on TV’s Studio 23, I couldn’t help but think of the comparison of the two deals of ZTE and ‘the Joey’ one, both moving down to the wire and both ending in close fights. But unlike in the Basketball fight, the broadband […]

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Reports continue to show increased violence in Burma/Myanmar. The center of reports are coming from Yangoon/Rangoon which has so far seen nine confirmed dead with more reports coming from sources elsewhere of increasing violence and escalation in death toll.

At least one foreign journalist has been killed deliberately targeted by troops who have been trying to find anyone with a camera or device to record the events taking place on the streets of Rangoon.

[] Eight protesters and a Japanese journalist were killed during protests at several locations in Yangon.Demonstrations have continued throughout the afternoon, Thursday, there is a noticeable increase in military forces and barricades around key locations.[]

The picture on the streets is not pretty, aid agency workers there to help the Burmese people are also reportedly being advised to leave Burma for fear of reprisals from gangs of thugs who have been let loose in a bid to stem protests. most visible are military efforts to get anyone trying to voice their dissatisfaction with the Government in Burma/Myanmaar.

[] Troops continue to surround monasteries and detain monks suspected of involvement in protest activity.The heavy-handed military action has provoked an angry public reaction, which is likely to build-up over next few days. []

Much like yesterday the reports show decline in actual people in the streets but overall there seems to be more open vocal resentment given in many places to tourists, visitors, and international agency workers in the region.

[] Most estimate the number of protesters in the range of 10,000 with more smaller groups being blocked from forming through arrest and intimidation. []

Religious and Aid organizations say there is little attempt by the Military to hide their actions.

No group of people are safe in areas of protest from reprisal and even the few tourists remaining,

There have been eyewitness and first hand accounts in many areas also of people being openly targeted thier belongings searched and any cameras seized.

[].. Military units are targeting and harassing westerners seen near areas of protests. Even diplomatic staff of international agencies. There is a large number of what seem to be ‘battle hardened’ troops in areas not traditionally where these units are deployed. ..[]

For the third day in a row the ‘hot spots’ in Yangoon/Rangoon are:

1. Shwedagon and Sule Pagodas

2. Main roads connecting these two locations

3. checkpoints

4. Mandalay

SITUATION REPORT:

1. Military using cs gas (teargas) and fired warning shots to disperse protesters. At same time sending in thugs to beat or harass those fleeing teargas.

2. Over 100 monks were reportedly arrested in protest areas or nearby Thursday.

3. During two separate incidents, soldiers reportedly fired automatic weapons into crowds.

4. Military threatening protesters with “extreme action” given a failure to disperse.

FRANCE24-EN-EXCLUSIVE-Birman Officer
01:14

A Report from Yangoon/Rangoon today shows less protesters and more violence reported - but little way to independently confirm what is happening in Rangoon/Yangoon.

The Military has reportedly been cracking down on satphones and cell phones with cameras of travelers.

In some casesasking travelrs to erase memory cards or sieing anything that can store an image or images of departing travelers.

But still in trickles the images are coming out. There is also a play internally it seems at last one or two reports of military units defecting in rural areas. The arrests and attacks on Pagoda’s of monks are widespread.

[]… Protests on (27 September) Thursday - were smaller than those over previous days and there was a considerably lower presence of monks on the streets to lead the demonstrations. …[]

There are some claiming that protesters in Yangon numbered up to 10,000 today, Thursday. But the checkpoints ands curfew rules have for now at least cut back on the ability of groups to form large marches. Also wholesale arrests are taking place of some groups of marchers.

‘Thursday Flashpoints’
1. The Shwedagon Pagida
2. The Sule Pagoda
3. Main roads connecting two locations, where the military used tear gas and warning shots to disperse protesters.

[]… Mass arrest of protestors continues in all locations of Myanmar …[]

Incidents Reported in Yangoon include that ‘Shots’ were fired into crowds unwilling to disperse and protesters have sustained injuries and possible fatalities. Some reports of injured protesters being given first aid at diplomats offices and agencies the unconfirmed reports say those injured left diplomatic protected areas. Also say that attempt by police to search diplomatic offices have intensified.

Global Corruption Survey Results
9:39 a.m. Transparency International, the global international anti-corruption ‘watchdog,’ released its latest findings today in Germany. “The 2007 Corruption Perceptions Index looks at perceptions of public sector corruption in 180 countries and territories - the greatest country coverage of any CPI to date – and is a composite index that draws on 14 expert opinion surveys.” [more]