by Geezer Power ….8:18 am

Firms Seek Access to Burma Oil Fields Despite Bloody Crackdown

By Thomas Hogue/AP Writer/Bangkok

September 29, 2007—Just last Sunday—when marches led by Buddhist monks drew thousands in Burma’s biggest cities—Indian Oil Minister Murli Deora was in the country’s capital for the signing of oil and gas exploration contracts between state-controlled ONGC Videsh Ltd and Burma’s military rulers.

The signing ceremony was an example of how important Burma’s oil and gas resources have become in an energy-hungry world. Even as Burma’s military junta intensifies its crackdown on pro-democracy protests, oil companies are jostling for access to the country’s largely untapped natural gas and oil fields that activists say are funding a repressive regime.

Updates from CNN VIDEO



Associated Press

Last update: September 28, 2007 – 9:13 PM

Myanmar: Monks besieged; Internet cut

Sniper found not guilty of murdering two Iraqis

YANGON, MYANMAR – Soldiers and police took control of the streets Friday, firing warning shots and tear gas to scatter the few pro-democracy protesters who ventured out as Myanmar’s military junta sealed off Buddhist monasteries and cut public Internet access.

On the third day of a government crackdown, the streets were empty of the mass gatherings that had peacefully challenged the regime daily for nearly two weeks.

“Bloodbath again! Bloodbath again!” a Yangon resident yelled while watching soldiers break up one march.

Burma: From comment on Ko Htike’s Blog

28 September 2007 19:17

“We just got phone call with our sister living in Yangon about a few hours ago.

We saw on BBC world, saying that 200 monks were arrested. The true picture is far worse!!!!!!!!!

For one instance, the monastery at an obscure neighborhood of Yangon, called Ngwe Kyar Yan (on Wei-za-yan-tar Road, Yangon) had been raided early this morning.

A troop of lone-tein (riot police comprised of paid thugs) protected by the military trucks, raided the monastery with 200 studying monks. They systematically ordered all the monks to line up and banged and crushed each one’s head against the brick wall of the monastery. One by one, the peaceful, non resisting monks, fell to the ground, screaming in pain. Then, they tore off the red robes and threw them all in the military trucks (like rice bags) and took the bodies away.

The head monk of the monastery, was tied up in the middle of the monastery, tortured , bludgeoned, and later died the same day, today. Tens of thousands of people gathered outside the monastery, warded off by troops with bayoneted rifles, unable to help their helpless monks being slaughtered inside the monastery. Their every try to forge ahead was met with the bayonets.

When all is done, only 10 out of 200 remained alive, hiding in the monastery. Blood stained everywhere on the walls and floors of the monastery.

Please tell your audience of the full extent of the fate of the monks please please !!!!!!!!!!!!

‘Arrested’ is not enough expression. They have been bludgeoned to death !!!!!!”

A.A.

Hong Kong