http://www.guardian.co.uk/burma/story/0,,2182816,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfrontMatthew Weaver
Wednesday October 3, 2007
Guardian Unlimited
A Burmese army major defected today, raising renewed hopes of dissent in the armed forces that is seen as crucial to bringing down the ruling junta.
...
"<The demonstrators> were very peaceful. Later when I heard they were shot and killed and the armed forces used teargas, I was really upset and I thought the army should stand for their own people," he said, according to the BBC.
He added: "I knew the plan to beat and shoot the monks and if I stayed on, I would have to follow these orders. Because I'm a Buddhist, I did not want to kill the monks."
...
His defection comes amid a number of reports suggesting signs of mutiny in the army.
Anna Roberts, the acting co-director of the Burma Campaign UK, said: "We are getting reports from eastern Burma of an increase in defections. And even before the current uprising there were signs of dissent in the army.
"If these reports are true it is a sign of the extent to which the regime is under pressure. It shows the need for the international community to up that pressure."
...
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
