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Published on October 5, 2007

They called on the United Nations to use "use all possible means to restrain the Burmese suppressive regime to stop using violence against its citizens".

They called on Surayud as head of the government of a neighbouring country to use whatever means to influence change in Burma.

The academics expressed solidarity with the Burmese people and praised their peaceful demonstrations. They described the bloody attacks against Buddhist monks as a grave crime.

Last but not least, they called on Than Shwe to "end all forms of suppressions", free political prisoners, including pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest, and "return power to the people as soon as possible".

The academics handed the letters to PM's deputy secretary-general Surapong Jayanama.

Separately, former Thai foreign minister Surin Pitsuwan was petitioned by exiled Burmese leaders to take a tough stance on Burma once he take up his post as the secretary-general of Asean in January 2008.

The letter, signed by 23 non-profit organisations, urged Surin to state publicly that Burma had become a destabilising factor for the region and to support a Burma resolution in the UN Security Council.

The exiled activists unfurled a protest banner next to Surin that said "China + India + Thailand, Your Trading = Killing People" while he was delivering a speech on human security at Chulalongkorn University.

San Aung, a Burmese MP in exile, said he was disappointed that Surin did not mention Burma in his speech.

The Nation