Crushed Myanmar pro-democracy uprising remembered

Hundreds of former student activists today quietly commemorated the 18th anniversary of pro-democracy uprisings in Myanmar, which propelled Aung San Suu Kyi into the political limelight and cost thousands of lives.

More than a dozen plainclothes security officers observed and videotaped a religious ceremony at a Buddhist monastery in Myanmar’s largest city Rangoon.

It was attended by former student activists who protested in 1988, veteran politicians and members of Suu Kyi’s party, the National League for Democracy.

The ruling junta, fearful of demonstrations, beefed up security in Rangoon, and expanded a roadblock outside Suu Kyi’s home, where she has been confined for more than 10 of the past 17 years. She was last detained in May 2003 after her motorcade was attacked in northern Myanmar by a pro-junta mob.

On August 8, 1988, demonstrations against the 26-year military dictatorship spread across the country.

The protests saw the downfall of Ne Win, but a new crop of generals seized power in September 1988 after brutally crushing the nationwide demonstrations.

The military used massive armed force, gunning down crowds and arresting protesters. An estimated 3,000 people died.

Nearly 200 people, including many who participated in the 1988 demonstrations, attended today’s ceremony. They offered meals and robes to the Buddhist monks who said prayers.

A period of silence was observed for those who lost their lives.

A student group issued a statement today urging co-operation among politicians, ethnic minorities and the military to solve Myanmar’s economic and social problems and lead the country to democracy.

“The current social, political and economic woes have to be resolved,” the statement said.

“These problems can be resolved through co-operation among the political forces, ethnic minority groups and the military.”

Suu Kyi, 60, has spent nearly 11 of the last 17 years in detention, mostly under house arrest. She was most recently taken into custody in May 2003, after a mob supporting the junta attacked her motorcade.