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Ear to the Ground

Reporting From Burma: A Thriller

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Posted on May 14, 2008
news.bbc.co.uk

BBC reporter Paul Danahar had to go to great lengths in order to report from Burma. A secret identity was just one method for avoiding the military intelligence agents who scoured the country looking for the journalist who dared to report on the devastation of Cyclone Nargis, which struck May 3.

BBC:

I woke up early, flushed my contacts and fake business cards down the toilet, sat on my bed and waited for the Special Branch.

They and the Burmese military intelligence had been after me for almost a week. I had become, briefly, the most wanted man in Burma.

My photo had apparently been circulated to every military checkpoint. My name was being scoured for among all the records of foreigners travelling around the country.

My crime, as they saw it, was to report on the cyclone that devastated the Irrawaddy Delta claiming thousands of lives.

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By Douglas Chalmers, May 14 at 9:21 pm #

These guys definitely need to be ‘put to bed’ - but its NOT up to the US military.

As part of ASEAN, Burma has bee fostered by the money-grubbers in Singapore’s soverign wealth fund (Temasek Holdings) and others who are profitting out of funny business in logging and in opium and the gem trade. Its also a good place to launder money.

The other countries in ASEAN could close the generals down in Burma tomorrow and most probabaly would if the USA would let them. The game still revolves around the US Chevron’s gas pipeline and their oil exploration extending into Cambodia.

China really needs to atke a firm hand in this...... but guess who would be screaming again if they did, uhh?!?!

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By Douglas Chalmers, May 14 at 7:46 pm #

Yes, Expat, don’t forget the fate of last journalist who got too interested http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LymH0aPenBM

But this has been going on for a long time and these guys do “play for keeps”......

August 8 1988 (8.8.88) - Democrative Voice of Burma http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOgp3aTLVjM&feature =related

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By Purple Girl, May 14 at 7:23 am #

Thank you to all the Real Journalists who endanger their own lives to get at the Truth- To inform US and enlighten US - Who are Reporters Heart & Soul. It is on your shoulders this Democracy Stands and Stands Proud. You are not just an irreplaceable assest to your Own profession, your calling- but to all mankind.
These are the ones who go down in History becasue they have made a positive difference in the World, who will be remembered, admired and Honored.
So sad they are so few left with the Fortitude (Balls) to take on any challenge regardless of detriment to life, limb, reputation, Fame, ambition.
Hail the embedded, the roving, the investigative , the Rogue- you are what media is intended to hold in it’s Highest esteem. The rest should remain on Entertainment tonight, Insider Edition, and on the behind the Front page of the Enquirer

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By loneagle, May 14 at 5:19 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

Like a child abuser, the generals don’t want anyone coming in the house to see what’s going on.

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By Expat, May 14 at 4:13 am #

^ I drove from Thailand into Burma at Three Pagodas Pass in western Kanchanaburi, Thailand.  We were looking for a market, got lost and came to a check point.  No sense of humor at all.  No smiles, just; “Go, back!!  Go, back!!” Scary.  We’ve traveled all over Thailand and been to Lao; no problem.  But Burma; don’t mess with the military; very serious folks.  But the Burmese people; great.
That reporter was very lucky as he knows.

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