South East Asia

The spokesperson for the National League for Democracy says pro-democracy leader is under medical care but does not reveal what ails her. The opposition leader should meet UN envoy today or tomorrow but there are few hopes that the latter might see the country’s military strongman. The US is putting pressure on the UN to get concrete results.

After days of warnings and subsequent recalls, experts confirm the beginning of the eruption A 10 kilometre zone surrounding the crater is declared off limits, but thousands refuse to abandon their homes.

Since the XVII century, when father Alexandre de Rodhes transposed Vietnamese to Latin characters, those who want to bring the Gospel concern themselves with knowing popular language and traditions.

Since UN envoy Gambari arrived last Saturday about a hundred monks have taken to the streets in Mogok to protest the regime as bystanders applaud in sign of support. Whilst the United Nations keep meetings with junta officials at a minimum, the generals continue to arrest and intimidate opponents. Posters pasted at the entrance of monasteries call for the murder of every Buddha.

One day before the UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari’s visit, the military expel Chris Petrie UN mission Chief to Myanmar, guilty of having criticised their economic policies. In this way, they aim to discuss the UN situation and not about democratic reforms.

The leader of the “heretical” sect al-Qiyadah surrenders to police. Debate inflames opinions in Indonesia. Some Indonesians fear the growing influence exercised by Muslim religious leaders on public life and warn against small “theocratic fiefdoms.” Police actions against the sect have in fact been carried out without input from proper civilian and judicial authorities.

The UN special envoy is due to arrive tomorrow in Yangon, while rumours abound of the expulsion of the UN’s leading diplomat in Myanmar, Charles Petrie. The regime puts fresh limits internet access and warns monks in Pakokku not to take to the streets, Union leaders sceptical regarding results of Gambari’s mission and launches an appeal for effective measures.

Millions of visitors and many links with international media are the positive outcome for a small news agency, which has become an instrument of dialogue between East and West, on the frontiers of the dignity of every human being, loved by Jesus Christ.

Over 70 Bonzi marched peacefully this morning without any incidents. It is the first demonstration since the violent repression in September. Human Rights Watch denounces: the junta forcibly recruits children into its army; the trafficking of children is widespread in the country. The UN is not doing enough.

Following a bomb attack in the capital on October 19, the authorities are not taking any chance and beefing up security in preparation for All Saints and All Souls celebrations. Some 9,000 police agents will be deployed. Manila’s Cardinal Rosales urges the faithful to celebrate the two holy days according to tradition. But the situation remains tense.

Yesterday evening the authorities arrested Zarganar in his home, without placing formal charges. Arrested last month for having supported the monk’s protests, he had been freed on October 17th following the UN’s declarations against the junta. On his release the actor had immediately visited some local monasteries.

The movement calling on the government to ban al-Qiyadah is growing; it opposes the sect because the latter believes that Hajj is not compulsory and is expecting a new prophet. Today the country’s two largest Muslim organisations joined the campaign. The police is tracking the sect leader, but some Indonesians disagree with this kind of reaction.