BURMA NOTES:

BURMA:

THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES:

A few more notes on the events in Burma and international solidarity with its people:

ONLINE PETITION IN SUPPORT OF BURMESE PEOPLE:

The Building and Woodworkers' International Union has launched an online petition in support of the struggle for democracy in Burma. To read details and join this campaign go to http://www.bwint.org/default.asp?Index=1111&Language=EN .

SIGNS OF DISSENT IN BURMESE MILITARY:

The Mizzima News, a magazine on Burmese-related news, reports that Rangoon Commander Major General Hla Htay Win was "permitted to retire" as of yesterday. He reportedly was reluctant to issue orders to shoot to kill against demonstrators, as are possibly several other commanders. The Burmese strongman General Than Shwe blamed the shooting of a Japanese journalist in Rangoon on General Win, and obviously hopes to make this man a scapegoat. To read more about this go to http://www.mizzima.com/MizzimaNews/News/2007/Oct/Oct-1-2007.html

COUNTING THE DEAD:

Various groups are trying to pierce Burma's veil of secrecy to ascertain the death toll in the recent military crackdown. So far the authorities acknowledge only 9 dead demonstrators and the murdered Japanese journalist who was shot by troops in Rangoon. Unofficial sources put the toll far higher. The conservative estimate by one organization, 'The Democratic Voice of Burma' gives a toll of 138, all with the names of victims. This is almost certain to be accurate as far as it goes. Other sources report deaths in the hundreds, including reports of massacres of over 100 people at a time. The 'Democratic Voice of Burma' has received reports of prisoners being burnt alive at the Yae Way cemetery crematorium on the outskirts of Rangoon. What is certain is that at least several thousand people, monks and others, are now being held in various centres across the country. To read more about attempts to estimate the toll go to http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-myanmar-dead-missing,0,1324999.story .