KEY POINTS:
Auckland's three resident Burmese monks have launched a public appeal to support their homeland's dramatic monk-led revolt against 45 years of military rule.
The three, who have come here with more than 1000 other refugees since 2000, say money is needed for food and medicines for monks who have been leading mass protests against the military regime in the Southeast Asian nation.
Up to 100,000 people, including 30,000 monks, are reported to have joined the biggest demonstration in the former capital Rangoon on Tuesday.
The Venerable Obasa, 51, whose monastery is a modest rented Housing New Zealand house in Glen Innes, said he was "very worried" by reports yesterday that the military was moving troops into Rangoon.
"I think the soldiers will use guns."
But he said the monks had a religious duty to protest "when the people are suffering starvation".
"Lord Buddha wanted to help the suffering of the people, so monks have a duty to help the suffering of the people by maintaining the law and the way of the Lord Buddha," he said.
The refugees who have come to New Zealand, including 100 who arrived at the Mangere refugee centre a month ago, refuse to use the military regime's new names for the country, now called Myanmar, and the former capital, now Yangon.
The Venerable Obasa, who began monastic training at 13, took part in the last big protests against the regime in 1988, when 3000 people died in a bloody military crackdown.
He said the military infiltrated the monasteries with "fake monks" and instigated looting to create an atmosphere of chaos and justify usingforce.
Ten friends from his monastery in Rangoon disappeared and have never been seen again.
"One of my close friends - in the morning we drank tea together, in the evening he was arrested. They haven't heard from him until now. When I knew that, I ran away to hide up-country. People look after the monks."
A democracy activist, Naing Ko Ko, said the appeal for food and medicines for the current monk-led protests had raised $1800 so far from the local Burmese community.
He urged New Zealand to follow US President George W. Bush, who yesterday imposed tighter economic sanctions and a ban on visas for members of the military regime and their families.
NZ Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson also called on the Government to join international action against the regime and urged New Zealanders to take part in a rally to support the Burmese people in Aotea Square at 2pm this Saturday.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman said New Zealand imposed a visa ban on the Burmese regime and their families in 2003.
"New Zealand has stopped short of imposing economic sanctions on Myanmar out of concern that such an action would target the wrong group and would have little impact on the Government."
NZ And Burma
* Visa ban on military rulers and their families since 2003.
* No economic sanctions.
* NZ exports last year $4.4 million, mainly dairy products.
* Burmese exports to NZ last year $1.3 million, mainly timber.
* 1091 refugees in NZ, all but four since April 2000.
* 30 international students in NZ, who have in the past included children of the military rulers.
* Donations to Venerable Obasa, 53 Apirana Ave, Glen Innes, 09 521 0516.
