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| UN envoy describes Burma 'abuse' | UN envoy describes Burma 'abuse' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The UN's envoy to Burma has voiced concern about arbitrary arrests and rights abuses said to be continuing after 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. | |
| '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". |
| [The Burmese people] have suffered too much for too long Ibrahim GambariUN envoy to Burma Living in fear The causes of protest class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7030907.stm">In quotes: UN Burma briefing | |
| "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." |
| Mr Gambari said later there was a consensus within the Security Council that the status quo in Burma was "unacceptable". | Mr Gambari said later there was a consensus within the Security Council that the status quo in Burma was "unacceptable". |
| And he told the BBC he hoped to return to Burma soon. | |
| "I'm prepared, subject to the [UN] secretary general's instructions, to return as soon as possible so as to maintain the momentum," he said. | |
| UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the Burmese authorities' use of force on peaceful protesters was "abhorrent and unacceptable". | |
| 'Cautiously encouraged' | |
| In a separate development, the most senior US diplomat in Burma, Shari Villarosa, met the junta's foreign minister in the capital of Naypyidaw. | 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. | The US state department said the meeting was not productive. |
| Monks became the focal point of the protests | |
| 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. | 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. |
| The US has been among the most vocal critics of the junta, and threatened a Security Council resolution imposing sanctions. | The US has been among the most vocal critics of the junta, and threatened a Security Council resolution imposing sanctions. |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 - were rounded up for interrogation following the protests. |