Buddhist monks protest
in Myanmar
By Jacob Geiger
Security forces
in Myanmar arrested more than 100 Buddhist monks in pre-dawn raids
Thursday morning.
The raids come after two weeks of protests against the military junta
that rules the country.
Police and troops stormed monasteries that were considered to be
organizing centers for the pro-democracy demonstrations. The
demonstrations began after the government announced a hike in fuel
prices.
But the movement gained steam when Buddhist monks, who are widely
revered in Myanmar, joined the demonstrations. Most of the monks who
have taken to the streets are students receiving training in
monasteries.
During demonstrations Thursday in Yangon, the country’s capital,
security forces fired weapons into the crowd when demonstrators refused
to disperse. The government said nine people had been killed, including
Japanese journalist Kenji Nagai. Japan’s foreign minister, Masahiko
Komura, said his country holds Myanmar responsible for Nagai’s death.
In Beijing, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill urged the
country’s military leaders to avoid violence and to start a dialogue
with the demonstrators.
Because most foreign journalists have been barred from entering the
country, reporters have been forced to rely on information relayed by
exile groups in Thailand. Those groups said it has become more difficult
in recent days for them to make contact with colleagues still inside
Myanmar.
CIA Factbook Information
Produced by Washington and Lee journalism students.
Lead supervisor: Prof. Brian Richardson
Reporting supervisors:
Technical supervisor: Michael Todd