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West puts UN pressure on Burmese Global rallies to pressure Burma
(about 9 hours later)
Western powers have circulated a draft statement at the UN condemning the "violent repression" of pro-democracy protests by Burma's military rulers. Campaigners in 30 cities around the world are staging a series of rallies against the bloody crackdown on anti-government protests in Burma.
The marches, starting at noon, began in New Zealand then moved to Asia and Europe, ahead of North America later.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown met marchers in London and vowed to keep "pressure for change" and push for more EU sanctions against the regime.
The marches come as Western powers at the UN make moves to condemn the junta.
Diplomats have circulated a draft statement at the UN denouncing the "violent repression" of pro-democracy protests.
I want the EU to impose further sanctions on the regime to make it absolutely clear we will not tolerate the abuses that have taken place UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown Global day of action Living in fear The causes of protest
The US, France and the UK called for immediate dialogue with opposition leaders, while the US suggested it would push for sanctions on Burma.The US, France and the UK called for immediate dialogue with opposition leaders, while the US suggested it would push for sanctions on Burma.
However, China has said such pressure would only lead to confrontation.
Meanwhile, human rights groups are staging an international day of action in support of Burmese demonstrators.
Events are scheduled to take place at noon local time in Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, the UK and the US.
Burma defiant
At the UN, US ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad stressed he was prepared to go further than a mere condemnation of Burma's junta.
"The United States is appalled by the brutal repression that has been carried out by the Burmese regime against its own people," he told the council.
The situation in Myanmar is not, and I repeat not, a threat to either regional or international peace and security Kyaw Tint SweBurmese ambassador to the UN Global day of action Living in fear The causes of protest
He warned that if the junta did not respond to the demands of the international community, the US would be prepared to introduce a resolution in the Security Council imposing sanctions.
But China and Russia remain opposed to sanctions, saying the situation in Burma is an internal affair that does not threaten international peace and security.But China and Russia remain opposed to sanctions, saying the situation in Burma is an internal affair that does not threaten international peace and security.
The Burmese ambassador to the UN, Kyaw Tint Swe, echoed that view. On Saturday, Mr Brown said that he would push for European Union sanctions as he met Burmese exiles and campaigners at Downing Street as part of the global day of protests:
"Despite the recent tragic events, the situation in Myanmar [the official name for Burma] is not, and I repeat not, a threat to either regional or international peace and security. No Security Council action is warranted," he said. "I want the EU to impose further sanctions on the regime to make it absolutely clear we will not tolerate the abuses that have taken place," he told the delegation.
International repercussions Solidarity
Earlier, UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari warned Burma's military rulers of "serious international repercussions" if they do not move towards democracy. Demonstrations were scheduled to take place at noon local time in Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, the UK and the US.
Interested observers attended Friday's Security Council session A delegation visited the UK prime minister in Downing StreetRed headbands will be tied onto government buildings, religious shrines or key landmarks.
Myo Thein, of the Burma Campaign UK which is organising the London event, said the marches "are designed to show the people of Burma that we stand with them and the generals that we are watching their every move".
"We also hope the protests will force the UK government to do more to demand an end to the military crackdown and get the UN Security Council to act," he added.
On Friday, UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari warned Burma's military rulers of "serious international repercussions" if they do not move towards democracy.
Briefing the Security Council after a four-day visit to Burma, he also voiced concern about arbitrary arrests and rights abuses said to be continuing after widespread protests.Briefing the Security Council after a four-day visit to Burma, he also voiced concern about arbitrary arrests and rights abuses said to be continuing after widespread protests.
Long running campaign
At least 10 people were killed in the crackdown after last week's protests, but Mr Gambari said he feared the real death toll could be much higher.At least 10 people were killed in the crackdown after last week's protests, but Mr Gambari said he feared the real death toll could be much higher.
He said there was great concern over reports of night-time raids, arbitrary arrests, mass relocations and beatings.He said there was great concern over reports of night-time raids, arbitrary arrests, mass relocations and beatings.
He told the BBC he hoped to return to Burma soon and that the key to progress was getting senior generals and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to talk to each other. BBC sources in Burma say as many as 10,000 people - many of them monks - were rounded up for interrogation following the protests.
Western powers say the junta should talks to Aung San Suu KyiMr Gambari told the BBC he hoped to return to Burma soon and that the key to progress was getting senior generals and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to talk to each other.
"There's been so much mistrust on both sides because... for a long time, and I think to some extent now, the generals did not want, until now, they didn't even want to talk to Aung San Suu Kyi, [and] she didn't particularly want to talk to them," he said."There's been so much mistrust on both sides because... for a long time, and I think to some extent now, the generals did not want, until now, they didn't even want to talk to Aung San Suu Kyi, [and] she didn't particularly want to talk to them," he said.
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.
But the opposition in Rangoon say the junta is effectively asking Ms Suu Kyi to abandon her campaign for democracy.But the opposition in Rangoon say the junta is effectively asking Ms Suu Kyi to abandon her campaign for democracy.
"They are asking her to confess to offences that she has not committed," said Nyan Win, spokesman for the National League for Democracy."They are asking her to confess to offences that she has not committed," said Nyan Win, spokesman for the National League for Democracy.
BBC sources in Burma say as many as 10,000 people - many of them monks - were rounded up for interrogation following the protests.