WHAT THE JAMAICAN GLEANER (LOCAL NEWSPAPER) SAYS:

Burmese in Jamaica seek help for tortured monks
published: Sunday | November 4, 2007

The Burmese community in Jamaica is seeking donations to help the recovery of monks who were tortured and jailed following September's violent crackdown on anti-government protests.

An account has been opened at RBTT and the public is being asked to make a donation to account number 0171090005640 at any location. The closing date to make donations is November 23.

In the latest of incidents, the BBC reported that the military junta, last week, expelled the top United Nations diplomat in the country, Charles Petrie. According to the BBC, this was only a day prior to United Nations envoy, Ibrahim Gambari's return to the country for another visit with the military dictatorship.

Attempt to hide atrocities

It is still not clear when Mr. Petrie will have to leave the country, but White House spokesman, Gordon Johndroe, described Mr. Petrie's expulsion as an attempt by the junta to "hide their atrocities from the world".

"This outrageous action the day before the arrival of [Mr.] Gambari in Burma is an insult to the United Nations and the international community," he said.

Mr. Petrie was very critical of the junta's use of force to suppress the September riots which left 10 monks dead and several others injured.