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Back Burma protests, MPs urge UN Brown urges restraint in Burma
(about 3 hours later)
The United Nations must support anti-government protesters in Burma, the chair of a cross-party group of MPs has told the BBC. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has urged the Burmese authorities to "exercise restraint" in their handling of pro-democracy demonstrations.
Conservative MP John Bercow said the country's military regime was "despicable" and the UN must step in. He called for "immediate international action" to stop a threatened military crackdown on the protests.
His call came as several thousand monks and civilians once again took to the streets in Burma's main city Rangoon. Mr Brown spoke as several thousand monks and civilians once again took to the streets in Burma's capital Rangoon.
Dr Maung Zarni, of the Free Burma Coalition, told the BBC the junta was shutting down e-mail communications. Earlier, a cross-party group of MPs urged the United Nations to pass a resolution supporting the protesters.
The prime minister made his remarks in letters sent to the European Union president, Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates, and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
On Monday, there were protests in at least 25 towns and tens of thousands of people marched in Rangoon.On Monday, there were protests in at least 25 towns and tens of thousands of people marched in Rangoon.
The junta said it was ready to take "tough action" against the Buddhist monks leading the rallies, but many ignored the threat and returned to the streets on Tuesday.The junta said it was ready to take "tough action" against the Buddhist monks leading the rallies, but many ignored the threat and returned to the streets on Tuesday.
In 1988, the military government violently repressed a pro-democracy uprising, killing some 3,000 people.In 1988, the military government violently repressed a pro-democracy uprising, killing some 3,000 people.
'Bestial regime' 'Despicable regime'
Mr Bercow, MP for Buckingham, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the international community must get involved. Mr Brown said it was "disturbing" that the government had threatened to use force against protesters.
"I think China could exert some influence in favour of restraint by this despicable regime," he said. From Burma to Zimbabwe, we need to ensure all countries feel it's better to play by the rules rather than ignore them Foreign Secretary David Miliband
"The most important action that can be taken is by the United Nations which needs to pass a resolution which sets up a clear timetable for measurable improvements by the regime, failing the achievement of which, much more robust sanctions would be applied." "It is vital that the Burmese authorities exercise restraint in the face of the demonstrators and seize the opportunity to launch a process of real political reform," he wrote.
They've been able to get video photographs out, which are then shown all over the world Martin MorelandFormer ambassador to Burma class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7011655.stm">Monks defy army warning Writing to Mr Socrates, the prime minister said: "I would strongly support a presidency initiative to warn the Burmese government that we are watching their behaviour and that the EU will impose tougher EU sanctions if they make the wrong choices."
He added: "This is one of the most bestial regimes on earth." And in his letter to the UN secretary general, Mr Brown wrote: "We need concerted international action, including the UN, to discourage violence. We need to stand together."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown highlighted the situation in Burma during his Labour Conference speech on Monday, saying: "Human rights are universal and no injustice can last forever." Conservative MP for Buckingham John Bercow, chair of the all-party parliamentary group on democracy in Burma, told the BBC the country's military regime was "despicable".
And US President George W Bush is set to announce new sanctions against Burma and its financial backers. "The most important action that can be taken is by the United Nations which needs to pass a resolution which sets up a clear timetable for measurable improvements by the regime, failing the achievement of which, much more robust sanctions would be applied," he said.
But Dr Zarni warned that the international community must proceed cautiously because the regime was in a "very, very strong dual economic and dual political position, sandwiched between China and India". Foreign Secretary David Miliband told the Labour Conference on Tuesday that he wanted to see Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi installed in "her rightful place" as the country's elected leader.
"From Burma to Zimbabwe, we need to ensure all countries feel it's better to play by the rules rather than ignore them," Mr Miliband added.
Mobile phonesMobile phones
Dr Zarni also told the BBC it was an "ominous sign" that the government appeared to be shutting down internet servers. Dr Maung Zarni, of the Free Burma Coalition, told the BBC the junta was shutting down e-mail communications.
They've been able to get video photographs out, which are then shown all over the world Martin MorelandFormer ambassador to Burma Monks defy army warning
"The government obviously is sufficiently threatened by growing protests," he said."The government obviously is sufficiently threatened by growing protests," he said.
"That is why we are seeing the warning from the government to the people not to come out and join the protesters.""That is why we are seeing the warning from the government to the people not to come out and join the protesters."
Martin Moreland, who was the British ambassador in Rangoon during the 1988 uprising, told BBC Radio Five Live that the monks were using mobile telephones to send pictures of the protests to international media.Martin Moreland, who was the British ambassador in Rangoon during the 1988 uprising, told BBC Radio Five Live that the monks were using mobile telephones to send pictures of the protests to international media.
"They've been able to get video photographs out, which are then shown all over the world," Mr Moreland said."They've been able to get video photographs out, which are then shown all over the world," Mr Moreland said.
"(In 1988) there was practically no television coverage and it didn't make nearly such an impact.""(In 1988) there was practically no television coverage and it didn't make nearly such an impact."
American President George W Bush is set to announce new sanctions against Burma and its financial backers.