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Burma monasteries in night raids Burma monasteries in night raids
(20 minutes later)
Witnesses say security forces in Burma have launched raids on monasteries and arrested scores of monks, as they try to stem a rising tide of protests.Witnesses say security forces in Burma have launched raids on monasteries and arrested scores of monks, as they try to stem a rising tide of protests.
About 100 Buddhist monks were reported to have been held when a monastery in the east of the main city, Rangoon, was stormed overnight, witnesses said.About 100 Buddhist monks were reported to have been held when a monastery in the east of the main city, Rangoon, was stormed overnight, witnesses said.
It followed reports of several deaths when police broke up demonstrations by monks and civilians on Wednesday.It followed reports of several deaths when police broke up demonstrations by monks and civilians on Wednesday.
The UN Security Council has called on Burma's military junta for restraint.The UN Security Council has called on Burma's military junta for restraint.
A witness to one of the monastery raids said she heard shouting and screaming.A witness to one of the monastery raids said she heard shouting and screaming.
There are also reports of raids in the north-east of the country.There are also reports of raids in the north-east of the country.
Key locations of Rangoon democracy protestsEnlarge MapKey locations of Rangoon democracy protestsEnlarge Map
On Wednesday the UN Security Council in New York met in emergency session to discuss the crisis.On Wednesday the UN Security Council in New York met in emergency session to discuss the crisis.
The US and European Union wanted the council to consider imposing sanctions - but that was rejected by China. The US and European Union wanted the council to consider imposing sanctions - but that was rejected by China as not "helpful".
The United States ambassador to the UN, Zalmay Khalilzad, called on Burma's government to meet the UN's special envoy, Ibrahim Gambari. Instead, council members "expressed their concern vis-a-vis the situation, and have urged restraint, especially from the government of Myanmar," said France's UN Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert.
They welcomed the dispatch of UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari to the region, and called on the Burmese authorities to receive him "as soon as possible".
The talks at the UN took place after the Burmese security forces beat-up and fired tear-gas at protesters in Rangoon.The talks at the UN took place after the Burmese security forces beat-up and fired tear-gas at protesters in Rangoon.
Burmese authorities confirmed that one man was killed and there were reports of at least two other deaths.Burmese authorities confirmed that one man was killed and there were reports of at least two other deaths.
US President George W Bush has already announced a tightening of US economic sanctions against Burma.
But China's UN ambassador, Wang Guangya, said that sanctions against Burma's military rulers would not be "helpful".
China and Russia have argued that the situation in Burma is a purely internal matter. Both vetoed a UN resolution critical of Burma's rulers last January.
Experts say the hope remains that China - a permanent member of the council and a key importer of Burmese energy resources - may use its powerful influence behind the scenes to persuade the regime to show restraint.
Battle of willsBattle of wills
The G8, the world's eight most industrialised countries, warned Burma's ruling generals that they would be held accountable for their actions but stopped short of calling for sanctions.The G8, the world's eight most industrialised countries, warned Burma's ruling generals that they would be held accountable for their actions but stopped short of calling for sanctions.
China and Russia have argued that the situation in Burma is a purely internal matter. Both vetoed a UN resolution critical of Burma's rulers last January.
Analysts fear a repeat of the violence in 1988, when troops opened fire on unarmed protesters, killing thousands.Analysts fear a repeat of the violence in 1988, when troops opened fire on unarmed protesters, killing thousands.
The confrontation in Burma has become a battle of wills between the country's two most powerful institutions, the military and the monkhood, and the outcome is still unclear, the BBC's South East Asia correspondent, Jonathan Head, says.The confrontation in Burma has become a battle of wills between the country's two most powerful institutions, the military and the monkhood, and the outcome is still unclear, the BBC's South East Asia correspondent, Jonathan Head, says.
The junta are using dirty tactics - they don't fire guns but beat people with rifle butts BBC News website reader Accounts from Burma Text: Burma confirms death In quotes: Global reaction The junta are using dirty tactics - they don't fire guns but beat people with rifle butts BBC News website reader Accounts from Burma Text: Burma confirms death In quotes: Global reaction
A clampdown on the media by Burma's military government - which has banned gatherings of five people or more in addition to imposing a curfew - has made following the exact course of the protests difficult.A clampdown on the media by Burma's military government - which has banned gatherings of five people or more in addition to imposing a curfew - has made following the exact course of the protests difficult.
It is known that on Wednesday thousands of monks and opposition activists moved away from Shwedagon pagoda, heading for Sule pagoda in the city centre.It is known that on Wednesday thousands of monks and opposition activists moved away from Shwedagon pagoda, heading for Sule pagoda in the city centre.
Troops fired tear gas and live rounds over the protesters' heads - for the first time since protests began nine days ago.Troops fired tear gas and live rounds over the protesters' heads - for the first time since protests began nine days ago.
The Burmese state radio station, Radio Myanmar, reported that one person had been killed and three others injured - the first official confirmation that the violence had caused casualties.The Burmese state radio station, Radio Myanmar, reported that one person had been killed and three others injured - the first official confirmation that the violence had caused casualties.
Earlier, a hospital source in Rangoon told the BBC that the monks were beaten with rifle butts, and that taxi drivers had transported the injured to nearby medical facilities.Earlier, a hospital source in Rangoon told the BBC that the monks were beaten with rifle butts, and that taxi drivers had transported the injured to nearby medical facilities.
There were unconfirmed reports of at least three deaths on Wednesday, including a civilian, and two monks who were killed near the Shwedagon pagoda. State radio spoke only of one death.There were unconfirmed reports of at least three deaths on Wednesday, including a civilian, and two monks who were killed near the Shwedagon pagoda. State radio spoke only of one death.