YANGON, MYANMAR — Myanmar’s ruling junta restored Internet access but kept foreign news sites blocked, partially easing its crackdown as a U.N. envoy arrived in Thailand on Sunday to rally neighboring governments around demands for democratic reforms.
The junta cut Internet access Sept. 28, two days after troops opened fire on protesters and images of the crackdown were plastered on websites. Internet service was intermittently restored earlier this month.
Foreign news websites, including the BBC and CNN, remained inaccessible along with blogs and overseas-hosted dissident sites, which had provided many inside tightly controlled Myanmar with their only information about the pro-democracy marches.
U.N. envoy Ibrahim Gambari began a trip to coordinate efforts to negotiate a solution in Myanmar, but he declined to comment on his mission to reporters at Bangkok’s airport late Sunday, saying he would speak after meeting with the Thai foreign minister today.
Earlier this month, Gambari met with Myanmar junta leader Gen. Than Shwe during a four-day visit, urging the government to end its crackdown. He also met twice with detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
His negotiating efforts have not resulted in a dialogue between the government and opposition. Myanmar’s government has said Than Shwe is willing to meet with Suu Kyi “personally” if she gives up her confrontational attitude and renounces support for sanctions against the military regime.
Authorities in the country relaxed a nighttime curfew to cover four hours – from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m – starting Saturday night. It was initially 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The concessions, however, came amid reports that the government continued to detain dissidents.
On Saturday, security forces arrested four prominent political activists who went into hiding to escape a government manhunt after leading some of the first major marches several weeks ago, Amnesty International said.
