Blog Followed by the security police in Rangoon
February 27th, 2007All the demonstrators did was to ask for better living conditions for the Burmese people. In return they got jailed. Happily the nine arrested were released again today. But the episode reminds me of my own humble experience of being trailed by two Burmese police men on a motor bike through the streets of Rangoon.
Posted by John Einar Sandvand
About a dozen protesters, calling themselves the Myanmar Development Committee, demonstrated at Rangoon’s Sule Pagoda last Thursday, calling on the government to improve the living conditions of the Burmese people. Several onlookers joined in the protest.
Today they were released, according to reports by Irrawaddy and Democratic Voice of Burma.
It is just one of numerous episodes showing how even the smallest dissent against the dictators in Burma is not being tolerated. Many political opponents have been treated much more harshly.
Like Nobel laurate Aung San Suu Kyi, who has not only been kept under house arrest for years, but is being harassed continuously by the socalled authorities
The small demonstration in Rangoon last week reminds me of my own visit to Burma seven years ago. At the time I was working as Asia correspondent for the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten.
As a foreigner I was priviledged, of course, and would not risk the harassment many Burmese encounter. Still, personally my own little experience was a telling example of how basic human rights are limited under the brutal regime running Burma. So I thought I would tell you about it:
Through secret communication with some of her party members I had managed to arrange an interview with Aung San Suu Kyi. Arrangements were made in coded messages and I was given a time to show up at the party headquarters of National League for Democracy.
I told the news to my driver and translator, a smart young man I had met at the airport.
He smiled.
- John, are you really meeting the Lady? I am so happy!
However, he did not dare to even get close to the party headquarters with me in his taxi.
- I will get arrested, John, if I go there with a foreigner in the car.
So he let me off a few hundred meters away and I walked the last distance.
Aung San Suu Kyi was speaking to a large group of party members when I entered her headquarters. I could not understand what she was saying, but it was clear that she had their complete attention.
Our interview went well. We talked for almost an hour.
Then, as we finished, she said quietly:
- You know that you will be followed when you exit this building, don’t you, John?
I knew. So many colleagues had experienced the same thing.
Still it was quite a shock to really feel it myself.
To watch the two civilian police men who popped up behind a car on the other side of the street.
Then their cameras started clicking.
Click. Click. Click. Click. Click.
Every movement I made was recorded as I quickly left the building and walked down the street.
Click. Click. Click. Click. Click.
A couple of hundre meters away I jumped into a taxi. I told the driver the name of my hotel.
As he was getting ready to leave, the driver was stopped by the police. They asked him a question. He told them where we were going.
And off we drove. The two men from the security police followed on a motor bike. In high speed we passed through the streets of Rangoon. For a moment I wondered if I should ask the driver to take me to another hotel, but I decided not to.
Finally we arrived at my hotel.
I had my money ready, threw them at the driver and as quickly ran through the lobby and into the elevator.
Trying to escape the police hunters, I felt it was like in a movie.
So what would happen? Would they come to my room to ask questions? Would I be arrested for an illegal meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi? Deported, maybe?
I was a little nervous, I will admit to that.
But nothing happened. I spent the evening hiding all my films in case I would later be searched at the airport, as so many other journalists had experienced.
I was curious, though, and the next day went to see one of the manager at the hotel.
I told him that I had been meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi the previous day and had been followed back to the hotel.
- I would think they asked the hotel staff about who I am and I just wonder what is the hotel policy in that kind of events?, I the manager.
He smiled at me.
- That’s right, Mr. John, they asked about you. Repeatedly. But you see, my friend, this is not the first time one of our guests have met with the Lady. And every time we just tend to get blind when the guests return and the police start asking their questions.
- So what did you tell the police?
- That we had no clue which guest they were talking about. Our staff unfortunately were busy attending to other business when you passed through the lobby.
He smiled at me again - warmly.
- I hope you had a pleasant meeting with the Lady, Mr. John!
I had, thank you.
Technorati Tags: Burma, Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi
March 1st, 2007 at 5:14 pm
Myanmar needs second Independence. Currently Myanmar Government is the puppet of Chinese one party rulers. Myanmar had to please both India and China. Myanmars are the victims of its own military. Myanmar military had ruled over Myanmar people since 1962. Myanmar got her Independence from British rulers in 1948 and lasted for only 14 years when Myanmars’ independence was abolished by then General Ne Win who took over the country by coup and installed a one party socialist Government till 1988 when the people of Myanmar revolt against their Government losing thousands of innocent lives, gunned down by the ruthless military. From 1988 onwards Myanmar military ruled the nation in many shape or form quashing the 1990 General election winner National League for Democracy Party that wins the election landslide victory. To this day Myanmar military ignore the results of 1990 General election counting out National League for Democracy party and trying to quashed the party leaders, members and followers alike. Myanmar military junta survive with the aid and support from China, India, Russia and ASEAN nations. The spirit of true independence is lacking in Myanmar on account of military institution’s abused of power, mismanagement in all aspect of life within Myanmar. Before the first independence, Myanmar is not free from foreign domination and now Myanmar is not free from its own military stranglehold on to abused power run by the Nationalist Militant Fascist that ruled the nation in many shape or form since 1962 to date. Attaining the second Independence from its own Nationalist Militant Forces that mingle in every aspect of Myanmar life, should be the ultimate goal for all Myanmars who truly love their nation. The essence of true freedom and Independence from its own military, influences from neighboring nations etc. is the goal for all peace, properity and “sensible just laws” abiding people of Myanmar and the world. It is about time for Myanmars to take responsibility, accountability and transparency in International field of world community.
The bottom line is this!………………….Burmese living standard under the British rule is higher and better than Burmese/ethnic people living under Burmese military/tatmadaw. At least the Burmese are not slaves or working like slaves for Thais, Chinese or the Indians etc. currently. It is a disgrace to the Burmese as a race or a nation.
March 2nd, 2007 at 3:52 pm
A handful of radical nationalist militant fascists rule Burma since 1962. Many Burmese are brain washed generations after generations but the truth remains the same. The birth right urge of wanting the independence, freedom from fear, repression, oppression and suppression by anyone either foreign or domestic is not wanted by the people of Burma. That is why the people of Burma (including ethnic) is fighting, struggling a just cause of achieving total freedom from repression. Repression from British or Japanese or even Burmese. The Nationalist militant fascists hold the power with guns but the people of Burma hold the numbers (52 million) and time. As time moves on the truth slowly reveals itself. Time and tide waits no man including nationalist fascist. Tracking down on foreigners is nothing new for these radical nationalist fascists tracks down their own people and interfere into the daily personal affairs of Burmese people. Using common logic of tracking down on domestic aspects of life in Burma in nothing compare to tracking down on foreigners. If these fanatics are paranoid even to their own people why shouldn’t they be paranoid on foreigners? I endorse the notion of wanting needing the second independence from radical militant nationalist fascists that rule the nation for more than four decades. Until and unless Burma is free from the grip of nationalist militant fascists who steal the state power and create laws of their own like, Burma will not be truly free. People living under British are more educated, living standards are high and bears the fruits of prosperity than the people living under the nationalist militant fascists that kills, maim, torture, rape and worst of all living in poor livelihood that brings down a resource rich nation to least poorest nation not to mention the citizens of Burma became the slaves of nations far and near alike working as slaves of foreigners.
Who is in control and who is responsible for Burma and Burmese becoming slaves of modern era? Some writers feed by the modern fascists will advocate for the fascists. This is nothing new, does it?
True in conclusion, for the people of Burma, life under British rule is a lot better, prosper than life under nationalist militants and recent happenings of the peoples’ voice of requesting better living standards was response by arrests. Did they not?
Yes, Burma truly needs the second independence, freedom from its worst enemy the oppressors, foreign or domestic. In this case the domestic is worst than the foreigners for there’s a saying that encountering, tackling aliens or foreign elements is more easier than facing the evil ones within its own kind.
March 11th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
TRUE!
The civilians of Myanmar/Burma needs freedom from fear, repression, oppression, rape, dislocation etc. from the grip of handful of military officers who rule the nation for 45 years and counting in different shape or form and disregarding the rights of the civilians of the country. Military had become the first class citizens of Myanmar and the officers are the cream puffs of the cake/first class. Independence from repression, oppression, cruelty, wickedness, rape, imprisonment without just cause or proper representation etc. regardless of who is ruling foreign or domestic by injustices and unjust laws, bias laws at set up kangaroo courts SHOULD and MUST be eliminated to enjoy the fruits of progress and prosperity both internally or internationally. True peace, progress and prosperity comes in togetherness.