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Students shouted pro-democracy slogans and distributed leaflets.

It is reported that Mergui police successfully blocked the gates of all four high schools in the township and prevented other students from joining the demonstration.

Junta issues threat to foreign activists

SPDC issued a veiled threat of violence against any foreigners intent on repeating the pro-democracy leafleting campaign carried out by 18 activists recently deported.

"The people of Burma want to live in peace and are angry with the 18 foreigners," wrote Maung Pyi Tha, a pseudonym for a government official, in a commentary in the state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper.

"The next time any destructionists or saboteurs try to disrupt the country they will face not only the laws but the people who are ready to prove their sense of duty," he wrote.

Burma holds 18 foreigners

Eighteen foreign activists, including six Americans, three Thais, three Malaysians, three Indonesians, two Filipinos and an Australian, were arrested in Rangoon after handing out leaflets calling on the Burmese to remember the political uprising ten years ago.

The eighteen arrived in Rangoon holding tourist visas from Bangkok. Some were arrested on the street, others at the airport. The activists said they were from the Alternative Asean Network, a group supporting Burma’s democracy movement in neighbouring Asian countries.

Dissidents fear of pillaging on border

The junta has stopped supplying free food since June to troops along its border with Thailand, raising fears the soldiers may turn to pillaging, dissident sources said.

The move was prompted by rice shortages caused by heavy flooding last year as well as government concerns over its dwindling financial resources.

Citing military reports from the border, dissidents said there had already been reports of food shortages among troops.

Nobel winners ask for dialogue

Six Nobel peace prize winners urged military leaders to restore democracy in an appeal published ahead of the 10th anniversary of a pro-democracy uprising, which reportedly left 3,000 dead.

The signatories to the appeal, co-ordinated by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance [IDEA], are Nobel peace prize winners Lech Walesa, Desmond Tutu, Oscar Arias Sanchez, Jose Ramos-Horta, as well as Nobel literature winners Nadine Gordimer and Derek Walcott.

The Nobel laureates called on the junta to engage in "constructive dialogue" with Suu Kyi, who they said was a virtual prisoner under the regime.

Junta to free activists in turnaround

The SPDC agreed to deport 18 foreign activists after sentencing them to five years’ imprisonment with hard labour for inciting unrest.

Home Affairs Ministry and immigration authorities agreed to deport the 18 on three conditions: They must not return to engage in political activities in Burma; they must not cause unrest in Burma; and they would have the five years added to a future sentence if they should violate Burmese law again.

SPDC: Suu Kyi’s safety is not assured

SPDC said it no longer took responsibility for the safety of Aung San Suu Kyi, despite previously guaranteeing her security.

The NLD said its young supporters would protect her.