Yawdserk salutes Burma's monks

No.05 - 9/2007
21 September 2007
Politics
 
Yawdserk salutes Burma's monks
 
Col Yawdserk, leader of the anti-junta Shan State Army (SSA) South, has voiced his support for the monks who had since 18 September declared the patta-nukkujjana kamma (the act of overturning the bowl) to Burma's military rulers.
 
"They haven't asked for anything that is unwarranted," said the 50-year old fighter this morning in response to S.H.A.N.'s question.
 

_{Col Yawdserk}

The monks have called for full apology from the ruling State Peace and Development Council for the manhandling of their colleagues in Pakokku two weeks earlier, as well as reduction of fuel prices, release of all political prisoners and dialogue with the "democratic forces".
 
"This is the culmination of the regime's decades of misrule and belittlement of the people," he added:

• "The National Convention was nothing but a place where people wasted their time away listening to their lengthy sermons
• Corruption today is worse off than it was during Gen Khin Nyunt's heydays
• There is development only for the military but nothing for the people
• Burma's problems can be resolved politically and peacefully, but they keep resorting to military means
• So long have they kept the people in the dark, refusing their right of participation in resolving Burma's problems"

 
As to the way out, he said, "The UN and the international community must stop beating the bush and really get down to business. We don't want to see them becoming the junta's accomplices."
 
The military situation, on the other hand, is quieter as the Burma Army has ceased its long range patrols in conflict zones, according to him.
 
The current unrest began when, out of the blue, as many Burma watchers say, the country's military rulers announced a 100-500% fuel price hike on 15 August.