Important message from Irrawaddy Magazine --

Dear Irrawaddy subscribers,

We regret to inform you that the Irrawaddy Web site is still unavailable due to a severe attack that has also targeted a number of other exiled Burmese media groups.

We attempted to redirect Irrawaddy readers to a mirror site, but that site has also come under attack. Our technicians worked until 2 a.m. to correct the problem, but finally had to take both sites offline.

Unfortunately, we still don’t know when we will be able to return to regular service. We have been informed by the company that hosts our Web site that the attack was severe and sophisticated, and will resume immediately if we attempt to restore service.

As a temporary measure, we will be posting online content on a new blog, http://theirrawaddy.blogspot.com, until further notice. Please visit this site for updated news and other regular features.

For news in Burmese, please visit http://theirrawaddyburmese.blogspot.com.

We have also received reports that Internet speeds in Burma have been very slow since Wednesday, and that Internet cafes in Rangoon have come under heavy surveillance, with police and officials checking customers’ ID cards and monitoring Internet use.

These developments come on the anniversary of last year’s monk-led uprising known as the “Saffron Revolution.” At the height of the crackdown on peaceful demonstrations, the Burmese regime stopped all Internet traffic into and out of the country to stem the flow of information about atrocities being committed by the army and security forces.

We would like to assure Irrawaddy readers that we will make every effort to keep you informed of the situation inside Burma. We thank you for your patience and continued support.

The Irrawaddy