October 20, 2007

Hiding The News Regarding The Fate Of Thousands Of Monks And Protesters In Burma

One report that appeared on The Daily Mail website, but then was mysteriously replaced by a more sedate report on Burma, claimed that according to a defecting high level intelligence officer, several thousand protesters and monks had been killed and that their bodies had been dumped in the jungle.

This excellent video explains how the news has been manipulated:


Here is the disturbing original report that appeared in The Daily Mail:
Thousands of protesters are dead and the bodies of hundreds of executed monks have been dumped in the jungle, a former intelligence officer for Burma's ruling junta has revealed.

The most senior official to defect so far, Hla Win, said: "Many more people have been killed in recent days than you've heard about. The bodies can be counted in several thousand."

Mr Win, who spoke out as a Swedish diplomat predicted that the revolt has failed, said he fled when he was ordered to take part in a massacre of holy men. He has now reached the border with Thailand.

At his border hideout last night, 42-year-old Mr Win said he hopes to cross into Thailand and seek asylum at the Norwegian Embassy.

The 42-year-old chief of military intelligence in Rangoon's northern region, added: "I decided to desert when I was ordered to raid two monasteries and force several hundred monks onto trucks.

"They were to be killed and their bodies dumped deep inside the jungle. I refused to participate in this."

With his teenage son, he made his escape from Rangoon, leaving behind his wife and two other sons.

He had no fears for their safety because his brother is a powerful general who, he believes, will defend the family.

Mr Win's defection will raise a faint hope among tens of thousands of Burmese who have fled to villages along the Thai border.

They will feel others in the army may follow him and turn on their ageing leaders, Senior General Than Shwe and his deputy, Vice Senior General Maung Aye
Many thanks to Peter Dearman for this information and video.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very interesting. Thanks. Such a shame, because we go to the internet so often now for our news feeling we're getting more accurate information away from the main media centres. But it seems we can never know what is real or not or the internet now, as nobody is accountable really. We often trust sources because the source is written down at the end of an article or quote. But how often do readers investigate that and trace it back to clarify? Not often, is my guess. Nowadays I am always very dubious when a juicy quote from someone is sourced as 'Page 34' of a certain book that I probably won't ever be able to locate, meaning verification is almost impossible. It becomes a toss up between using the quote because it is effective for what I wish to use it for, or ditching it because it could be a complete fabrication. Btw, have you heard anything from your monk friends over in Yangon?

Unknown said...

Sadly, Alexander, I have heard nothing from my friend. I am extremely concerned, because the regular news sources do not seem to be covering the shocking reports I am hearing from refugees and people within Burma.

Alexander, it is great to have contact with you again. I am sorry, but I became slack with my blog. I didn't write any reports on my last trips to Burma and Cambodia.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear that. When writing the above, I had forgotten that they had cracked down on communications within the country. At this time I 'assume' they are stopping foreigners from entering? Or, at least cameras being confiscated at the airport until the tourist leaves. Rumours of that were going around, but I cannot confirm the truth of them.

Not a nice situation. I was saying to people just before they cracked down, that people should not underestimate what the junta could do if it feels threatened. Because some of its generals are trained in psychological warfare. Let's just hope that when the curtain lifts, we won't find cambodia-esque killing field pits :(

Btw, no problem about infrequent posts :)

 
Travel Guide - Travellerspoint