IHT : Residents express despair as troops take back control in Myanmar

Residents express despair as troops take back control in Myanmar

The Associated Press | September 28, 2007

YANGON, Myanmar: Residents worried that pro-democracy protests could be weakening after soldiers and police in Myanmar took control of the streets, firing tear gas and warning shots to scatter demonstrators who ventured out and sealing off Buddhist monasteries.

The streets were quiet early Saturday and monks, who have provided the backbone of recent rallies calling for an end to 45 years of military rule, were locked behind temple gates in the two largest cities, Yangon and Mandalay. Additional troops arrived overnight, consolidating the government's control of urban areas.

Internet links have been cut.

"I don't think that we have any more hope to win," said a young woman who took part in a massive demonstration Thursday that was broken up when troops opened fire into a crowd. She was separated from her boyfriend and has not seen him since. "The monks are the ones who give us courage."

Daily protests drawing tens of thousands of people had grown into the stiffest challenge to the ruling military junta in two decades, a crisis that began more than a month ago when people in the desperately poor nation of 54 million started rallying against a massive fuel price increase. The demonstrations escalated when monks joined in.

The junta, which has a long history of snuffing out dissent, started cracking down Wednesday, when the first of at least 10 deaths was reported, and then let loose on Thursday, shooting protesters and clubbing them with batons.

Small groups of die-hard activists and angry residents have continued to turn out since then, some taunting troops and then scattering into alleyways, soldiers in pursuit.

"Bloodbath again! Bloodbath again!" a Yangon resident yelled Friday while watching troops break up one march by shooting into the air, firing tear gas and beating people with clubs. Participants in the protests asked that their names not be used, fearing retribution.

The mood in Yangon was somber Saturday. Soldiers and police were stationed on almost every street corner. Shopping malls, grocery stores and public parks were closed, and only a handful of residents ventured out.

"People are living in a state of fear and hate," said one onlooker, who asked not to be named. "A few days ago, everyone was friendly. Now no one wants to talk to strangers."

Hundreds of people have been arrested in the last few days, including Win Mya Mya, an outspoken member of the country's main opposition group, the National League for Democracy, who was taken overnight, according to family members.

Images of bloodied protesters and fleeing crowds have riveted world attention on the escalating crisis, prompting many governments to urge the junta to end the violence. A video broadcast by Japan's Fuji Television Network showed a soldier directly shooting a Japanese cameraman during the crackdown Thursday.

The UN special envoy to Myanmar, Ibrahim Gambari, was due to arrive in the country later Saturday to promote a political solution to the crisis. But Western diplomats were already complaining that Gambari's visit likely would not include senior members of the opposition or — apparently — the country's leader, Gen. Than Shwe.

The schedule was being set by the government.

The United States, meanwhile, urged "all civilized nations" to press Myanmar's leaders to end the crackdown.

"They don't want the world to see what is going on there," White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said, as soldiers searched hotels for foreign journalists, who have been largely barred from entering the country.

But analysts said it was unlikely that countries with major investments in Myanmar, such as China and India, would agree to take any punitive measures. They also noted the junta has long ignored criticism of its tough handling of dissidents.

Although the crackdown raised fears of a repeat of a 1988 democracy uprising that saw an estimated 3,000 protesters slain, the junta appeared relatively restrained so far.

The arrival of additional troops in Yangon strengthened the government's hand, said an Asian diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing protocol. The corralling of monks — who carry high moral authority in the predominantly Buddhist nation — was also a serious blow.

Authorities also shut off the country's two Internet service providers, although big companies and embassies hooked up to the Web by satellite remained online. The Internet has played a crucial role in getting news and images of the democracy protests to residents and the outside world alike.

In Yangon, lines formed at stores for shortwave radios, with people eager to hear what was going on in their own country.

The government has put the official death toll from this week's violence at 10, but diplomats and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said many more may have died, citing unconfirmed witness reports.