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Burma's President Thein Sein warns 'extremists' Burma's President Thein Sein warns 'extremists'
(35 minutes later)
Burmese President Thein Sein has warned that he will if necessary use force to stop "political opportunists and religious extremists" from fomenting hatred between faiths. The Burmese government will use force if necessary to stop "political opportunists and religious extremists" from fomenting hatred between faiths, President Thein Sein has warned.
It was his first public comment on the violence, which began last week.It was his first public comment on the violence, which began last week.
At least 40 people have been killed as a result of discord between Buddhists and Muslims since 20 March.At least 40 people have been killed as a result of discord between Buddhists and Muslims since 20 March.
On Tuesday curfews were imposed on three towns as attacks on Muslim communities got closer to Rangoon. Curfews have been imposed in a number of areas, as crowds of Buddhists attacked Muslim buildings.
"I would like to warn all political opportunists and religious extremists who try to exploit the noble teachings of these religions and have tried to plant hatred among people of different faiths for their own self-interest. Their efforts will not be tolerated," the president said in a national televised address. The police were reported on Wednesday to have opened fire in one town on a crowd of about 500 people.
Last Friday a state of emergency was enforced in the central town of Meiktila in Mandalay region - where the communal violence began after a reported argument at a gold shop.
'Last resort''Last resort'
"I would like to warn all political opportunists and religious extremists who try to exploit the noble teachings of these religions and have tried to plant hatred among people of different faiths for their own self-interest. Their efforts will not be tolerated," the president said in a national televised address.
"In general, I do not endorse the use of force to solve problems. However, I will not hesitate to use force as a last resort to protect the lives and safeguard the property of the general public," he said."In general, I do not endorse the use of force to solve problems. However, I will not hesitate to use force as a last resort to protect the lives and safeguard the property of the general public," he said.
"All perpetrators of violence will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.""All perpetrators of violence will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
The president said that "conflicts and difficulties" would inevitably arise during Burma's transition to a democracy.The president said that "conflicts and difficulties" would inevitably arise during Burma's transition to a democracy.
He called on police to "perform their duties decisively, bravely and within the constraints of the constitution and by-laws".He called on police to "perform their duties decisively, bravely and within the constraints of the constitution and by-laws".
Correspondents say that police in the central town of Meiktila in Mandalay region - where the communal violence began last week - have been criticised for failing to act quickly enough to stop the rioting, in which houses, shops and mosques were burned down. The trouble broke out after a reported argument at a gold shop. Correspondents say that police in Meiktila have been criticised for failing to act quickly enough to stop the rioting, in which houses, shops and mosques were burned down.
Violence last week also broke out in the Bago region north of Rangoon, with Muslim religious buildings, shops and houses being damaged.
At least 12,000 Muslims are thought to have fled their homes because of the unrest.At least 12,000 Muslims are thought to have fled their homes because of the unrest.
In similar violence in Rakhine state last year, nearly 200 people were killed and tens of thousands forced from their homes.In similar violence in Rakhine state last year, nearly 200 people were killed and tens of thousands forced from their homes.
The conflict that erupted in Rakhine involved Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims, who are not recognised as Burmese citizens and have complained of frequent persecution.The conflict that erupted in Rakhine involved Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims, who are not recognised as Burmese citizens and have complained of frequent persecution.