(Gov't of) Myanmar stages rally as UN envoy heads back to region ( as more dissidents arrested)

[maddezmom]

Source: AFP

YANGON (AFP) - Tens of thousands of people were taken Saturday to a pro-government rally here in a show of strength by Myanmar's junta, as a top UN envoy returned to the region and more dissidents were reported arrested.

Under light rain, the military bused people into Yangon's main sports ground before dawn for a three-hour, early morning rally to hear officials glorify the military's plan to build what it calls a "discipline-flourishing" democracy.

The military has staged similar rallies around the country in recent weeks, but this was the first major event in the nation's commercial hub since a deadly crackdown on anti-government protests last month.

Foreign media were barred from attending and the general public was also kept away as streets around the stadium were blocked.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071013/wl_asia_afp/myanmarunrest