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/7029208.stm

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
New diplomacy amid Burma crisis US envoy to meet Burma's military
(about 4 hours later)
The UN envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, has briefed Secretary General Ban Ki-moon about his recent talks with the country's military authorities. The top US diplomat in Burma is to hold talks with the country's leaders, as a UN envoy prepares to brief the Security Council on his recent visit there.
Mr Gambari visited Burma to meet senior generals when troops began a crackdown on mounting anti-government protests. Shari Villarosa will meet unspecified leaders to raise concerns over the military's bloody crackdown on recent protests, US officials said.
A senior US official is now to meet the generals, and Mr Gambari will brief the UN Security Council later on Friday. Later in the day, Ibrahim Gambari will brief the Security Council on his talks with top generals earlier this week.
Earlier, Burma's military leader agreed in principle to meet detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. There is serious concern over the crackdown, which left at least 10 dead.
Gen Than Shwe, who has never previously indicated he may be ready for dialogue with Ms Suu Kyi, insisted on preconditions to any talks, state media reported. Diplomats fear the death toll is far higher and thousands of protesters are thought to be in detention.
In return for talks Ms Suu Kyi must drop her support for international sanctions and abandon her confrontational attitude, the reports said. 'Clear message'
During his visit to Burma Mr Gambari was allowed to meet her twice, both before and after seeing the generals, which, correspondents say, suggests he may have been carrying messages between the two sides. Ms Villarosa left early on Friday for the rare meeting with Burma's generals in the remote capital, Naypyidaw.
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said that she would send a "clear message" to the leadership to end the crackdown and engage in dialogue with opposition groups.
But it was not clear who she would meet or what topic the generals who summoned her planned to address.
Rangoon waiting game Struggle goes underground
Her meeting comes ahead of a keenly anticipated briefing by Mr Gambari to the UN Security Council on his dialogue with the military leadership.
Mr Gambari met both General Than Shwe and detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi during his four-day visit to Burma.
He met Ms Suu Kyi twice, prompting speculation that he may have been carrying messages between the two sides.
And in a surprise move on Thursday, Gen Than Shwe agreed in principle to meet the detained leader.
But the general, who has not shown interest in dialogue in the past, insisted on preconditions to any talks, state media reported.
Ms Suu Kyi would have to drop her support for international sanctions and abandon her confrontational attitude, the reports said.
Previous attempts to build dialogue between the military and Aung San Suu Kyi - who is still the pre-eminent symbol of Burma's democratic movement - have come to nothing.Previous attempts to build dialogue between the military and Aung San Suu Kyi - who is still the pre-eminent symbol of Burma's democratic movement - have come to nothing.
Diplomatic language
Following Mr Gambari's mission, the US state department confirmed that its most senior envoy in Burma, Shari Villarosa, has been invited to meet the military government on Friday.
Buddhist monks spearheaded the pro-democracy protests
He will travel from Rangoon to the new capital, Naypyidaw, for a briefing with members of the government, a state department spokesman said.
At the UN, Mr Gambari briefed Ban Ki-moon for nearly an hour late on Thursday, but no details have been made public.
The BBC's UN correspondent Laura Trevelyan says that the fact that Mr Gambari managed to meet Aung San Suu Kyi twice as well as Gen Than Shwe is being seen as a small sign of progress.
It is possible the Security Council may ask him to return very soon to see whether talks between the military government and the opposition are possible, she adds.
The position of China, Burma's closest ally, remains important.
Although Beijing has maintained that the situation in Burma is an internal affair, our correspondent says diplomats are now detecting a shift in its position.
Quiet streetsQuiet streets
In Burma, state media has said that 2,093 people were arrested during the recent crackdown on anti-government protests. In Burma, state media has said that 2,093 people were arrested during the crackdown on the protests.
class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7024825.stm">Rangoon waiting game class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7026259.stm">Struggle goes underground Buddhist monks spearheaded the pro-democracy protests
It said 692 people had already been released after signing a declaration that they would not take part in any future rallies.It said 692 people had already been released after signing a declaration that they would not take part in any future rallies.
However, BBC sources in Burma say as many as 10,000 people - many of them monks who led the demos - have been rounded up for interrogation in recent days. However, BBC sources in Burma say as many as 10,000 people - many of them monks who led the marchers - have been rounded up for interrogation in recent days.
Dozens are feared to have died during the suppression of the protests, which were sparked after the government raised fuel prices. Dozens are feared to have died during the suppression of the protests, which were triggered by a government decision to raise the price of fuel.
Residents of the main city, Rangoon, say the streets are now quiet during daylight hours, with the police and army keeping a low profile.Residents of the main city, Rangoon, say the streets are now quiet during daylight hours, with the police and army keeping a low profile.
But during the overnight curfew, they say raids by the security forces continue.But during the overnight curfew, they say raids by the security forces continue.
The Burmese regime - which has held power since 1962 - has been condemned for its actions across the world.
Multi-party elections were held in 1990 and were won comprehensively by Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party.
But the ruling junta - known for its corruption and mismanagement - dismissed the results and continued to exercise a stranglehold on power.
Are you in the area? Are you affected by the events in Burma? Send us your comments using the form below.
Are you in the area? Are you affected by the events in Burma? Send us your comments using the form below.
You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to + 44 (0) 7725 100 100You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to + 44 (0) 7725 100 100
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoClick here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Name:
 Name: