Burma's Diplomat in UK Resigns over Suppression of Monks' Protest

by The Associated Press
October 10, 2007

A diplomat at the Burmese Embassy in London has resigned in protest over the violent suppression of pro-democracy protests, the British Broadcasting Corp reported Tuesday.

The BBC said Ye Min Tun, a diplomat with 10 years' service, had sent the embassy a letter of resignation.

No one at the embassy was willing to comment on the report or confirm the diplomat was on staff. British government records list a Ye Min Tun as a second secretary at the embassy.

The diplomat told the BBC he was horrified by military attacks on monk-led demonstrations last month.

"I have never seen such a scenario in the whole of my life. The government is arresting and beating the peaceful Buddhist monks," he said.

He said he had come to the decision on his own, without consulting anti-government groups in Burma or overseas.

"I think that my fellow colleagues will make their decision on their own—but I can't say that anybody's going to follow my way," he said.

Protests erupted in Burma, on August 19 after the government raised fuel prices. The anger mushroomed into nationwide marches by tens of thousands demanding democratic reforms.

The junta's troops crushed pro-democracy demonstrations with gunfire on September 26 and 27. The regime said 10 people were killed, but dissident groups put the toll at up to 200 and said 6,000 people were detained, including thousands of monks who led the rallies.

The crackdown drew condemnation around the world.

Asked whether he thought the pro-democracy movement was now finished, the diplomat said: "I think it's not the end. I think it's just the beginning of the revolution."