The Monks Are Cut Off, and Burmese Clashes Ebb

[L. Coyote]

The Monks Are Cut Off, and Burmese Clashes Ebb
By SETH MYDANS - Sep 29, 2007
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/29/world/asia/29myanmar.html?ref=world


BANGKOK, Sept. 28 — Myanmar’s armed forces appeared on Friday to have sealed tens of thousands of protesting monks inside their monasteries, but they continued to attack bands of demonstrators who challenged them in the main city, Yangon.

Witnesses and diplomats reached by telephone inside the country said troops were confronting and attacking smaller groups of civilians around Yangon, chasing them through narrow streets and sometimes firing at protesters and arresting them.

“Today has been quieter than previous days, meaning far fewer protesters came out, but the military is being very quick to use violence, tear gas, guns and clubs to break it up,” said Shari Villarosa, the chief diplomat at the United States Embassy.

Diplomats said that there was no way to know the toll of dead and wounded in Yangon or other cities, but that it was certainly far higher than the junta says. ..................

[varkam]

1. Just fucking awful.

I really don't have words to express how this makes me feel, so I'll just give it a K&R.

[Jonathan Pollard]

2. Troops are joining protesters

There now are reports of troops joining the protesters and protecting them from other troops.

[lonestarnot]

3. excelfuckinglent!