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Media Alert: Burma on Edge Over "9/



Subject: Media Alert: Burma on Edge Over "9/9/99" 

"The Burmese junta severely restricts media access to the country.  It is
hoped nevertheless that international news organizations will not allow
the regime to determine media coverage of this breaking story at the
heart of Asia."

F R E E  B U R M A  C O A L I T I O N 
http://www.freeburmacoalition.org   202-777-6009

MEDIA ALERT:

"9/9/99" MOVEMENT PUTS BURMA ON THE BRINK

Washington, D.C., Sept. 8, 1999:  As East Timor burns, hundreds or even
thousands are being killed.

Within hours another Asian hot spot - BURMA (also known as Myanmar) - may
join East Timor in the headlines.

Burma's 45 miilion people have been chafing under military rule for
decades.  Thousands have been killed by junta troops, and an overwhelming
national vote for democracy has been voided by a regime that keeps
increasing the repression.

On Aug. 8th, 1988, millions of Burmese from all walks of life took to the
streets in a national strike. At least three thousand Burmese were
slaughtered by the Burmese Army in the massive "8-8-88" demonstrations.

Sept. 9th, 1999 or 9-9-99, has been chosen as the kick-off date for a new
effort to force the Burmese military back to the barracks. Numerology is
very influential in Burma, and the "Four Nines" movement has become an
obsession. 

Demonstrations have already been occuring sporadically throughout the
country.  Hundreds of democracy supporters, including some military
officers and high-school students as young as 14 have been arrested.  A
"prayer service" called by democracy activists is rumoured to begin within
hours at the Shwedagon Pagoda, the country's most revered Buddhist shrine.

The junta has also announced that two British citizens have been arrested
in connection with non-violent protests.  One, James Mawdsley, has already
received a 17 year prison sentence, and British Consulor officials have
been refused access to him.  His family believes that this refusal is
because Mawdsley has been tortured.  His trial was conducted in secret,
raising doubts about the legitimacy of the process.  Burma has no
independent judiciary.

Details on the arrest of Rachel Goldwyn, a 28 year old Londoner from a
prominent family, are still sketchy.  It is said that she was arrested for
singing a protest song in Burma's capitol, Rangoon.

The 9/9/99 movement has re-energized the Burmese democracy movement and
its international supporters.  New calls for tighter economic sanctions,
and for the seating of an International Tribunal to try Burma's military
rulers are being made, and an effort to unseat the junta at the United
Nations has gained new momentum.

The Burmese junta severely restricts media access to the country.  It is
hoped nevertheless that international news organizations will not allow
the regime to determine media coverage of this breaking story at the heart
of Asia.

END