Burma Dissidents Mark one Year Anniversary (၂၇။၉။၂၀၀၈)

ZHANG:
Today marked the first anniversary of the ruling militarys bloody crackdown on democracy in Burma. Buddhist monks and dissidents in Thailand and activists in the Philippines are calling for the junta regime to stop using repressive measures against its people.
STORY:
This is the small village of Mae Sot on the border with Thailand. Dozens of monks, dissidents and protesters are here to pay tribute to the victims killed one year ago.

Many of these dissidents were involved in those anti-government protests. What is still clear for them is they are still prepared to fight and die for democracy in Burma.

[Pan Chor, Dissident]:
"Although more people might have to die, we still demand democracy in Burma. We will demand it until they uphold democracy in the country."

And over in the Philippines dozens of activists were outside the Burmese Embassy in Manila. The Members of the Free Burma Coalition say the military junta should stop using brutal and repressive measures against its people.

[Egoy Bans, Free Burma Spokesperson]:
"To call for an immediate end to the crackdown that has been continuing since day 1 of the attack against the Saffron Revolution last year."

The Coalition says the numbers of political prisoners has doubled since last year. They are seeking help from the United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to get the prisoners released.

[Gus Miclat, Free Burma Organizer]:
"To the government, they should heed the voices of their people. They're peaceful monks, they're peaceful citizens, and that is why we're here to help ventilate that voice and that message."

On a side note, the country's state run media says bomb squad officers have found and defused a bomb in the capital city of Rangoon. Another bomb exploded yesterday injuring seven people. There is speculation that the military could have planted the bombs to justify having heavy security in the city.