I. Monk Protests Continue (News from Irrawaddy)
Sittwe, Arakan State - About 500 monks reciting the “Metta Sutta” (the Buddha’s words on loving kindness) marched through Sittwe Township accompanied by about 8000 protesters, including Muslims.
Mandalay, Mandalay Division - About 10,000 monks from several monasteries in Mandalay marched in a peaceful protest through the city. Thousands of residents joined in the procession when it arrived at Mandalay’s famous market, Zay Cho.
Kyaukpadaung, Mandalay Division - About 1500 monks in Kyaukpadaung in Mandalay Division took part in a peaceful demonstration, accompanied by some 10,000 members of the general public.
Moulmein, Mon State - About 1,000 demonstrators, led by 400 monks, took part in a peaceful demonstration.
Moenyin Township, Kachin State - About 50 monks marched through Moenyin Township.
Bamaw Township, Kachin State - More than 200 monks marched through Bamaw Township
Rangoon, Rangoon Division - About 30,000 monks led an estimated 70,000 supporters in a peaceful demonstration through the center of Rangoon.
Shwebo, Sagaing Division - About 200 monks in Shwebo Township, Sagaing Division, took part in a peaceful demonstration.
II. Junta’s Responses
Burmese officials riding on trucks in central Yangon used loudspeakers to warn against new anti-junta protests, one day after Buddhist monks led 100,000 people in the streets. "We warn the monks and the people not to participate in protest marches," local government officials shouted into loudspeakers from at least two trucks circling around the nation's commercial hub. "We will take action under the existing law," they warned, echoing threats carried in state media since late Monday.
Detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was moved to the notorious Insein prison from her Rangoon lakeside home at University Avenue, the Reuters news agency reported.
III. Local Responses
All Burma Monks Alliance and the 88 Generation Students urged general public in a joint statement to uphold three slogans – economic well-being, release of political prisoners and national reconciliation – during the protests. They also warned the danger of the regime’s anti-strike counter-measures and violent crush.
IV. Regional/International Responses
China says it won't meddle in Myanmar, but gently nudges junta to ease strife – Associated Press China has gently urged Burma’s military rulers to ease strife that has seen tens of thousands take to the streets in protest, diplomats said Tuesday, even as Beijing publicly said it would keep its usual hands-off approach toward its neighbor.
President asked to bring Burma issue to the front at UN assembly – the Jakarta Post The House of Representatives has asked President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to direct the UN General Assembly's attention to the mounting tension in Burma so as to press the military junta to restore democracy.
U.S. President George W. Bush tightened economic sanctions against leaders of the regime and also urged other nations to apply pressure on Burma.
UK’s Prime Minister Gordon Brown wrote in a letter sent to U.N. Secretary-General Ban-Ki-moon and Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates, whose country holds the EU presidency saying “It is vital that the Burmese authorities exercise restraint in the face of the demonstrators, and seize the opportunity to launch a process of real political reform.”
Britain's Foreign Secretary David Miliband said, "I think it will be a hundred times better when she takes her rightful place as the elected leader of a free and democratic Burma."
Swedish Aid Minister Gunilla Carlsson said, "I want to express our strong support for the Burmese people in their efforts to create a democratic future. The Burmese regime now has the opportunity to start a peaceful dialogue and respect people's freedom of expression and gathering. We encourage the regime to take that chance."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel called for the U.N. Security Council again to consider the situation in Myanmar, and suggested it might be necessary to toughen sanctions.
French Foreign Ministry spokesman Frederic Desagneaux warned Myanmar's ruling generals they "will be held responsible for the security of the demonstrators, held responsible by the international community."
Nobel Peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu praised the “courage of the people of Burma" in backing the demonstrations, which have grown steadily and are now led by Buddhist monks.
Surin Pitsuwan, who is expected to take over the 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Jan. 1, voiced hope at U.N. headquarters in New York that the massive protests in Burma would lead to change.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praised the peaceful nature of the Burma protests and voiced his hopes that authorities in the country would "seize this opportunity to engage without delay in dialogue with all the relevant parties to the national reconciliation process."
European Union spokesman Amadeu Altafaj Tardio said, "So far no violence has been used to quell peaceful demonstrations, however we are also concerned by the increasing military presence on the streets. We are urging all stakeholders, particularly the government of Burma/Myanmar to exercise maximum restraint."
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana urged Burma’s government to show "tangible progress" in seeking political dialogue with opposition groups, and to release Suu Kyi and other political prisoners.
Canadian Foreign Minister Maxime Bernier said, "Canada notes the actions of these peaceful protesters and calls upon the Burmese regime to engage in a genuine dialogue with members of the democratic opposition."
International Crisis Group urged in its statement that United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon should hold urgent talks with the foreign ministers of China, India and Singapore, the current ASEAN chair, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and lead a joint attempt to encourage peaceful dialogue in Myanmar/Burma. China, India, and ASEAN should back Ban Ki-moon’s call on the authorities in Myanmar to exercise restraint in the face of growing peaceful protests and put their full weight behind UN efforts to find a solution to the country’s
political crisis.
The International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB) issued a statement of support for demonstrations by Buddhist Monks in Burma.
The Thai NGO Co-ordinating Committee on development (NGO-COD) urged the Thai Government in the statement to send a clear message to the Burmese military junta.
Sittwe, Arakan State - About 500 monks reciting the “Metta Sutta” (the Buddha’s words on loving kindness) marched through Sittwe Township accompanied by about 8000 protesters, including Muslims.
Mandalay, Mandalay Division - About 10,000 monks from several monasteries in Mandalay marched in a peaceful protest through the city. Thousands of residents joined in the procession when it arrived at Mandalay’s famous market, Zay Cho.
Kyaukpadaung, Mandalay Division - About 1500 monks in Kyaukpadaung in Mandalay Division took part in a peaceful demonstration, accompanied by some 10,000 members of the general public.
Moulmein, Mon State - About 1,000 demonstrators, led by 400 monks, took part in a peaceful demonstration.
Moenyin Township, Kachin State - About 50 monks marched through Moenyin Township.
Bamaw Township, Kachin State - More than 200 monks marched through Bamaw Township
Rangoon, Rangoon Division - About 30,000 monks led an estimated 70,000 supporters in a peaceful demonstration through the center of Rangoon.
Shwebo, Sagaing Division - About 200 monks in Shwebo Township, Sagaing Division, took part in a peaceful demonstration.
II. Junta’s Responses
Burmese officials riding on trucks in central Yangon used loudspeakers to warn against new anti-junta protests, one day after Buddhist monks led 100,000 people in the streets. "We warn the monks and the people not to participate in protest marches," local government officials shouted into loudspeakers from at least two trucks circling around the nation's commercial hub. "We will take action under the existing law," they warned, echoing threats carried in state media since late Monday.
Detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was moved to the notorious Insein prison from her Rangoon lakeside home at University Avenue, the Reuters news agency reported.
III. Local Responses
All Burma Monks Alliance and the 88 Generation Students urged general public in a joint statement to uphold three slogans – economic well-being, release of political prisoners and national reconciliation – during the protests. They also warned the danger of the regime’s anti-strike counter-measures and violent crush.
IV. Regional/International Responses
China says it won't meddle in Myanmar, but gently nudges junta to ease strife – Associated Press China has gently urged Burma’s military rulers to ease strife that has seen tens of thousands take to the streets in protest, diplomats said Tuesday, even as Beijing publicly said it would keep its usual hands-off approach toward its neighbor.
President asked to bring Burma issue to the front at UN assembly – the Jakarta Post The House of Representatives has asked President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to direct the UN General Assembly's attention to the mounting tension in Burma so as to press the military junta to restore democracy.
U.S. President George W. Bush tightened economic sanctions against leaders of the regime and also urged other nations to apply pressure on Burma.
UK’s Prime Minister Gordon Brown wrote in a letter sent to U.N. Secretary-General Ban-Ki-moon and Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates, whose country holds the EU presidency saying “It is vital that the Burmese authorities exercise restraint in the face of the demonstrators, and seize the opportunity to launch a process of real political reform.”
Britain's Foreign Secretary David Miliband said, "I think it will be a hundred times better when she takes her rightful place as the elected leader of a free and democratic Burma."
Swedish Aid Minister Gunilla Carlsson said, "I want to express our strong support for the Burmese people in their efforts to create a democratic future. The Burmese regime now has the opportunity to start a peaceful dialogue and respect people's freedom of expression and gathering. We encourage the regime to take that chance."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel called for the U.N. Security Council again to consider the situation in Myanmar, and suggested it might be necessary to toughen sanctions.
French Foreign Ministry spokesman Frederic Desagneaux warned Myanmar's ruling generals they "will be held responsible for the security of the demonstrators, held responsible by the international community."
Nobel Peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu praised the “courage of the people of Burma" in backing the demonstrations, which have grown steadily and are now led by Buddhist monks.
Surin Pitsuwan, who is expected to take over the 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Jan. 1, voiced hope at U.N. headquarters in New York that the massive protests in Burma would lead to change.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praised the peaceful nature of the Burma protests and voiced his hopes that authorities in the country would "seize this opportunity to engage without delay in dialogue with all the relevant parties to the national reconciliation process."
European Union spokesman Amadeu Altafaj Tardio said, "So far no violence has been used to quell peaceful demonstrations, however we are also concerned by the increasing military presence on the streets. We are urging all stakeholders, particularly the government of Burma/Myanmar to exercise maximum restraint."
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana urged Burma’s government to show "tangible progress" in seeking political dialogue with opposition groups, and to release Suu Kyi and other political prisoners.
Canadian Foreign Minister Maxime Bernier said, "Canada notes the actions of these peaceful protesters and calls upon the Burmese regime to engage in a genuine dialogue with members of the democratic opposition."
International Crisis Group urged in its statement that United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon should hold urgent talks with the foreign ministers of China, India and Singapore, the current ASEAN chair, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and lead a joint attempt to encourage peaceful dialogue in Myanmar/Burma. China, India, and ASEAN should back Ban Ki-moon’s call on the authorities in Myanmar to exercise restraint in the face of growing peaceful protests and put their full weight behind UN efforts to find a solution to the country’s
political crisis.
The International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB) issued a statement of support for demonstrations by Buddhist Monks in Burma.
The Thai NGO Co-ordinating Committee on development (NGO-COD) urged the Thai Government in the statement to send a clear message to the Burmese military junta.
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