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UN envoy describes Burma 'abuse' UN envoy describes Burma 'abuse'
(about 1 hour later)
The UN's envoy to Burma has voiced concern about arbitrary arrests and rights abuses he says are continuing following widespread protests. The UN's envoy to Burma has voiced concern about arbitrary arrests and rights abuses said to be continuing after widespread protests.
Ibrahim Gambari warned Burma's military rulers their actions could have "serious international repercussions".Ibrahim Gambari warned Burma's military rulers their actions could have "serious international repercussions".
He was briefing the UN Security Council after a four-day visit to Burma, where he met senior generals and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.He was briefing the UN Security Council after a four-day visit to Burma, where he met senior generals and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
At least 10 people were killed in the crackdown after last week's protests.At least 10 people were killed in the crackdown after last week's protests.
Mr Gambari said he feared the real death toll could be much higher. Mr Gambari, who could return to Burma in the next few weeks, said he feared the real death toll could be much higher.
'Abhorrent' actions'Abhorrent' actions
He said there was great concern over reports of night-time raids, arbitrary arrests, mass relocations and beatings "being committed by security and non-uniformed elements".He said there was great concern over reports of night-time raids, arbitrary arrests, mass relocations and beatings "being committed by security and non-uniformed elements".
Living in fear The causes of protestLiving in fear The causes of protest
"To delay the prospect of a peaceful, prosperous and democratic Myanmar [the official name for Burma] is to deny to those who deserve it the most - the people of Myanmar," he said."To delay the prospect of a peaceful, prosperous and democratic Myanmar [the official name for Burma] is to deny to those who deserve it the most - the people of Myanmar," he said.
"They have suffered too much for too long.""They have suffered too much for too long."
Earlier, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the Burmese authorities' use of force on peaceful protesters was "abhorrent and unacceptable". Mr Gambari said later there was a consensus within the Security Council that the status quo in Burma was "unacceptable".
And UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the Burmese authorities' use of force on peaceful protesters was "abhorrent and unacceptable".
In a separate development, the most senior US diplomat in Burma, Shari Villarosa, met the junta's foreign minister in the capital of Naypyidaw.
The US state department said the meeting was not productive.
'Cautiously encouraged'
Meanwhile, Burmese state TV broadcast an image of Ms Suu Kyi for the first time in years on Friday.Meanwhile, Burmese state TV broadcast an image of Ms Suu Kyi for the first time in years on Friday.
Earlier reports suggested that General Than Shwe, the head of the ruling junta, had agreed in principle to meet the detained pro-democracy leader. Earlier, reports suggested that General Than Shwe, the head of the ruling junta, had agreed in principle to meet the detained pro-democracy leader.
He insisted that Ms Suu Kyi must give up her calls for international sanctions to be imposed against the regime, state media reported.
Mr Gambari said he was "cautiously encouraged" by the news and called for "maximum flexibility" from both sides.Mr Gambari said he was "cautiously encouraged" by the news and called for "maximum flexibility" from both sides.
Buddhist monks became the focal point of the protests, which continued for two weeks until they were brutally suppressed. The US has been among the most vocal critics of the junta, and threatened a Security Council resolution imposing sanctions.
Burmese officials on Friday said that more than 500 monks had been detained during the crackdown. But they added all but 109 were subsequently freed. But the Burmese ambassador to the UN, Kyaw Tint Swe, called for "patience, time and space", insisting the situation in his country was not a threat to regional security.
Mr Kyaw confirmed there had been many arrests after the protests, but said 2,095 people had now been released - including 722 Buddhist monks.
He promised that more releases would follow.
The monks became the focal point of the protests, which saw tens of thousands of people take to the streets.
BBC sources in Burma say as many as 10,000 people - many of them monks - had been rounded up for interrogation following the protests.BBC sources in Burma say as many as 10,000 people - many of them monks - had been rounded up for interrogation following the protests.