This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7009825.stm

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Burmese protests gather momentum Burma braced for public protests
(about 1 hour later)
More anti-government protests are expected in Burma, following a weekend which saw the country's largest demonstrations in almost 20 years. Several thousand monks have gathered at Burma's most important pagoda in the former capital Rangoon for another day of anti-government protests.
On Sunday, monks and nuns led up to 20,000 people through the streets of the main city, Rangoon, calling for an end to dictatorship. Protest leaders said it could be the largest demonstration yet, after calling on people to join them in the peaceful protests.
The monks have urged all people to join their protests, originally triggered by a rise in the price of fuel. On Sunday, monks and nuns led up to 20,000 people through Rangoon in the largest protest for almost 20 years.
Events are moving very fast and unpredictably in Burma, analysts say.Events are moving very fast and unpredictably in Burma, analysts say.
People are waiting anxiously to see how the military government reacts, reports the BBC's Andrew Harding in neighbouring Thailand.People are waiting anxiously to see how the military government reacts, reports the BBC's Andrew Harding in neighbouring Thailand.
In pictures: Burma rallies In pictures: Burma rallies class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7004319.stm">Profile: Shwedagon Pagoda
The British ambassador in Rangoon, Mark Canning, said Burma's leaders were now in uncharted territory.The British ambassador in Rangoon, Mark Canning, said Burma's leaders were now in uncharted territory.
"Firstly, the demonstrations could subside - I mean, that's looking less and less likely by the day," he told the BBC."Firstly, the demonstrations could subside - I mean, that's looking less and less likely by the day," he told the BBC.
"Secondly, that we could see some sort of counter-reaction, which I've said would be a disaster, although in terms of probability it, I'm afraid, ranks quite high.""Secondly, that we could see some sort of counter-reaction, which I've said would be a disaster, although in terms of probability it, I'm afraid, ranks quite high."
The protests have continued for seven straight days and are increasing in size.
There are fears of a repeat of 1988, when the last democracy uprising was crushed by the military and some 3,000 people were killed, correspondents say.There are fears of a repeat of 1988, when the last democracy uprising was crushed by the military and some 3,000 people were killed, correspondents say.
Detained leaderDetained leader
The wave of protests were triggered by the government's decision to double the price of fuel last month, hitting people hard in the impoverished nation. At least 10,000 monks were reported to have gathered at Rangoon's golden Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revered Buddhist site in Burma.
Pro-democracy activists led the initial demonstrations against the move, but dozens of them have been arrested. Two well-known actors turned out to offer food and water to them.
Ms Suu Kyi can be seen behind the police greeting protesters Profile: Aung San Suu KyiMs Suu Kyi can be seen behind the police greeting protesters Profile: Aung San Suu Kyi
Monks then joined the movement after troops used force to break up a peaceful rally in the town of Pakokku on 5 September.
An organisation called the Alliance of All Burmese Buddhist Monks has emerged to lead the protests. They have issued a statement vowing to continue until they have "wiped the military dictatorship from the land".
On Saturday, monks marched to greet pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is under house arrest. On Sunday, nuns joined the marchers for the first time.On Saturday, monks marched to greet pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is under house arrest. On Sunday, nuns joined the marchers for the first time.
Now the monks have called for a nationwide protest movement. The organisation that has emerged to lead the protests, the Alliance of All Burmese Buddhist Monks, urged people in the country to join Monday's protests.
In a statement on Friday, the monks' group vowed to continue the marches until they had "wiped the military dictatorship from the land".
This will be the eighth straight day of marches by the monks, and seven since the leaders began a concerted campaign of protest against the government.
The protests were triggered by the government's decision to double the price of fuel last month, hitting people hard in the impoverished nation.
Pro-democracy activists led the initial demonstrations against the move, but dozens of them have been arrested.
Monks then joined the movement after troops used force to break up a peaceful rally in the town of Pakokku on 5 September.
Speaking on the sidelines of a UN meeting, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said America was watching the situation "very carefully" and denounced Burma's "brutal regime".Speaking on the sidelines of a UN meeting, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said America was watching the situation "very carefully" and denounced Burma's "brutal regime".
"The Burmese people deserve better. They deserve the right to be able to live in freedom, just as everyone does," she said."The Burmese people deserve better. They deserve the right to be able to live in freedom, just as everyone does," she said.