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Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Burma Partnership is pleased to announce that we have launched our new website. We hope it will be a useful tool for governments, journalists, researchers, and especially activists from Burma and all over the world.

You should be automatically redirected in 10 seconds. If not, please visit www.burmapartnership.org and update your bookmarks.

In Solidarity,

Burma Partnership Secretariat

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Burma Update: October 13, 2007

Dear Friends,

Another distressing news from Burma. Five key activists including the '88 Generation Student leader Ko Htay Kywe, and a local, were arrested today. According to eyewitness report, about 70 members of SPDC security forces raided the hide-out early this morning.

Together with Ko Htya Kywe, (4) other members of the '88 Group and the house owner were arrested.

1) Ko Htay Kywe
2) Ko Aung Thu
3) Ma Thin Thin Aye (a) Mee Mee
4) Ko Ko
5) Hein Htet (a) Aung Gyi
6) House owner name unknown yet.

Dr. Ma Thida, a former political prisoner and a recipient of Reebok Human Rights Award, was also arrested last night.

As I'm sure you are aware, the UN Security Council adopted a presidential statement on October 11. It was the first time ever that the Security Council has issued a formal statement on Burma. As an immediate step, the UN Special Envoy, Mr. Gambari, has already taken trip back to the region to visit key countries before his next trip to Burma. His first visit in the region will be with the Government of Thailand on Monday.

However, the Burmese junta yesterday (12/10/07) issued a statement in response to the UNSC statement in which it said that the UNSC statement should be in line with people's desire and that no matter what the regime will proceed to implement the Roadmap together with people, which plan has been already supported by the Asean and neighboring countries.

The statement also said the UN Security Council was "totally disregarding the fact that the situation in Myanmar does not represent a threat to regional and international peace and security," and "the basic principle of the foreign policy of the Union of Myanmar is to maintain friendly relations with other countries in the region and in the world, and to have close cooperation with the United Nations."

But it made no acknowledgement of the UN call for the release of political prisoners nor for the regime to engage in dialogue with detained pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.

Sincerely,

Khin Ohmar
APPPB Coordinator

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