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| Monks return to streets of Burma | Monks return to streets of Burma |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| More than 100 monks have marched in central Burma, the first time they have returned to the streets since last month's bloody crackdown on protests. | More than 100 monks have marched in central Burma, the first time they have returned to the streets since last month's bloody crackdown on protests. |
| The monks chanted and prayed as they marched through Pakokku, the site of an incident last month that triggered pro-democracy protests nationwide. | The monks chanted and prayed as they marched through Pakokku, the site of an incident last month that triggered pro-democracy protests nationwide. |
| The government said 10 people died during the crackdown, but diplomats believe the toll was much higher. | The government said 10 people died during the crackdown, but diplomats believe the toll was much higher. |
| Thousands more - many of them monks - were thought to have been detained. | Thousands more - many of them monks - were thought to have been detained. |
| Separately, the Human Rights Watch organisation has accused the Burmese army of forcibly recruiting children to cover gaps left by a lack of adult recruits. | Separately, the Human Rights Watch organisation has accused the Burmese army of forcibly recruiting children to cover gaps left by a lack of adult recruits. |
| Envoy's return | Envoy's return |
| Pakokku is a centre of Buddhist learning about 630km (390 miles) north-west of Rangoon. | Pakokku is a centre of Buddhist learning about 630km (390 miles) north-west of Rangoon. |
| Reports that soldiers had beaten up monks there on 6 September gave momentum to protests that had begun on 19 August to demonstrate against fuel price rises. | Reports that soldiers had beaten up monks there on 6 September gave momentum to protests that had begun on 19 August to demonstrate against fuel price rises. |
| The junta began its crackdown on protests on 26 September | The junta began its crackdown on protests on 26 September |
| Witnesses at Wednesday's march said the monks did not make any overt political statements but that the rally was clearly in defiance of the junta. | |
| In the wake of the crackdown on protesters last month, public gatherings of monks in Burma have been banned and many monasteries remain deserted. | In the wake of the crackdown on protesters last month, public gatherings of monks in Burma have been banned and many monasteries remain deserted. |
| According to the BBC's Asia correspondent Andrew Harding, there is no way of telling whether this new demonstration is the start of another wave of protests. | According to the BBC's Asia correspondent Andrew Harding, there is no way of telling whether this new demonstration is the start of another wave of protests. |
| One monk who was on the march told the Democratic Voice of Burma, a Norway-based radio station run by dissident journalists: "We are continuing our protest from last month as we have not yet achieved any of the demands we asked for. | One monk who was on the march told the Democratic Voice of Burma, a Norway-based radio station run by dissident journalists: "We are continuing our protest from last month as we have not yet achieved any of the demands we asked for. |
| "Our demands are for lower commodity prices, national reconciliation and immediate release of [pro-democracy leader] Aung San Suu Kyi and all the political prisoners." | "Our demands are for lower commodity prices, national reconciliation and immediate release of [pro-democracy leader] Aung San Suu Kyi and all the political prisoners." |
| Aung Nyo Min, the Thai-based director of the Human Rights Education Institute of Burma, said of the rally: "This is very significant... we are very encouraged to see the monks are taking up action and taking up peaceful demonstrations in Burma." | Aung Nyo Min, the Thai-based director of the Human Rights Education Institute of Burma, said of the rally: "This is very significant... we are very encouraged to see the monks are taking up action and taking up peaceful demonstrations in Burma." |
| 'Systemic abuse' | 'Systemic abuse' |
| There are hundreds of thousands of monks in Burma. They are highly revered and the clergy has historically been prominent in political protests. | There are hundreds of thousands of monks in Burma. They are highly revered and the clergy has historically been prominent in political protests. |
| The crackdown on protests sparked international action, with the US and EU imposing sanctions and embargoes. | The crackdown on protests sparked international action, with the US and EU imposing sanctions and embargoes. |
| United Nations envoy Ibrahim Gambari is expected to return to Burma this weekend for talks with the military government in the wake of the crackdown. | United Nations envoy Ibrahim Gambari is expected to return to Burma this weekend for talks with the military government in the wake of the crackdown. |
| I do think this sort of economic and political frustration that is within the population will manifest itself again in the coming months Mark Canning,UK ambassador to Burma Army 'recruiting children' | I do think this sort of economic and political frustration that is within the population will manifest itself again in the coming months Mark Canning,UK ambassador to Burma Army 'recruiting children' |
| A Western diplomat told Agence France-Presse news agency Mr Gambari would be in Burma from 3-8 November. | A Western diplomat told Agence France-Presse news agency Mr Gambari would be in Burma from 3-8 November. |
| Mr Gambari last visited on 29 September, just three days after the bloody crackdown began, and met junta chief Gen Than Shwe and Aung San Suu Kyi. | Mr Gambari last visited on 29 September, just three days after the bloody crackdown began, and met junta chief Gen Than Shwe and Aung San Suu Kyi. |
| He has been on a six-nation Asian tour to try to increase pressure on the generals. | He has been on a six-nation Asian tour to try to increase pressure on the generals. |
| British ambassador to Burma, Mark Canning, told the BBC he expected further unrest in the country. | British ambassador to Burma, Mark Canning, told the BBC he expected further unrest in the country. |
| "I do think this sort of economic and political frustration that is within the population will manifest itself again in the coming months." | "I do think this sort of economic and political frustration that is within the population will manifest itself again in the coming months." |
| Meanwhile, in a move that will add further pressure to the ruling junta, the campaign group Human Rights Watch has released a report saying children as young as 10 are beaten or threatened with arrest to make them enlist in the military. | Meanwhile, in a move that will add further pressure to the ruling junta, the campaign group Human Rights Watch has released a report saying children as young as 10 are beaten or threatened with arrest to make them enlist in the military. |
| The government insists it is opposed to the use of child soldiers, but Human Rights Watch says the abuses have been extensive and systemic. | The government insists it is opposed to the use of child soldiers, but Human Rights Watch says the abuses have been extensive and systemic. |
| Are you in the area? Did you see the march? Send us your comments using the form below: | Are you in the area? Did you see the march? Send us your comments using the form below: |
| You can send pictures and video to: | You can send pictures and video to: |
| yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. Click here to see terms and conditions | yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. Click here to see terms and conditions |
| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |