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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| UN Security Council rebukes Burma | UN Security Council rebukes Burma |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| The UN Security Council has adopted a statement deploring Burma's military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. | The UN Security Council has adopted a statement deploring Burma's military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. |
| The agreement came after China lifted its objections to a statement first drafted by the US, UK and France. | The agreement came after China lifted its objections to a statement first drafted by the US, UK and France. |
| It represents the first time the 15-nation body has taken any formal action over Burma. | It represents the first time the 15-nation body has taken any formal action over Burma. |
| The move indicates a shift of position by China, which had previously used its veto to stop the council from criticising Burma's military junta. | The move indicates a shift of position by China, which had previously used its veto to stop the council from criticising Burma's military junta. |
| The statement "strongly deplores the use of violence against peaceful demonstrators" in Burma and calls on the junta and all other parties "to work together toward a de-escalation of the situation and a peaceful solution". | The statement "strongly deplores the use of violence against peaceful demonstrators" in Burma and calls on the junta and all other parties "to work together toward a de-escalation of the situation and a peaceful solution". |
| It also calls for the early release of "all political prisoners and remaining detainees", urging the junta to prepare for a "genuine dialogue" with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. | It also calls for the early release of "all political prisoners and remaining detainees", urging the junta to prepare for a "genuine dialogue" with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. |
| The non-binding statement - which, unlike a resolution, requires the consent of all 15 council members to be adopted - was issued by Ghana's UN Ambassador Leslie Christian, the council's president. | |
| The statement urged Burma's leaders to talk to the opposition | |
| US Ambassador to the UN Zalmay Khalilzad said the statement was an important achievement. | |
| "Our expectation is that this statement will have... a positive impact on the situation on the ground in terms of government behaviour and if it doesn't we're committed to coming back," he said. | |
| Dr Thaung Htun, the UN representative for Burma's government-in-exile, said it sent a clear message to the generals to end violence and begin political dialogue. | |
| "But the Security Council should closely monitor the situation and then evaluate how the military respond to the statement," he warned. | |
| Gambari to return | Gambari to return |
| Meanwhile, the UN said special envoy Ibrahim Gambari would tour Asia this weekend in a trip expected to culminate in his second visit to Burma since the demonstrations erupted last month. | Meanwhile, the UN said special envoy Ibrahim Gambari would tour Asia this weekend in a trip expected to culminate in his second visit to Burma since the demonstrations erupted last month. |
| Mr Gambari returned from a four-day visit to the country last week and had not been expected to return until mid-November. | Mr Gambari returned from a four-day visit to the country last week and had not been expected to return until mid-November. |
| Buddhist monks spearheaded the pro-democracy protests | |
| His visit is aimed at kick-starting a political dialogue and securing the release of political detainees. | His visit is aimed at kick-starting a political dialogue and securing the release of political detainees. |
| Rangoon says 10 people were killed and 2,100 arrested as last month's demonstrations, many of which were led by Buddhist monks, were quelled. | Rangoon says 10 people were killed and 2,100 arrested as last month's demonstrations, many of which were led by Buddhist monks, were quelled. |
| But foreign diplomats and analysts fear both figures could be far higher. | But foreign diplomats and analysts fear both figures could be far higher. |
| Dissidents and human rights groups have long accused Burma's regime of torturing political prisoners. | Dissidents and human rights groups have long accused Burma's regime of torturing political prisoners. |
| The government adamantly rejects all allegations of torture, and Burma's state-run media argue that more than half of those arrested during the protests have since been released. | |
| However, there has been little news about some several hundred still believed to be in detention. | |
| And earlier on Thursday, a pro-democracy activist arrested during the crackdown was reported as having died in custody. | |
| Win Shwe, 42, a member of the National League for Democracy (NLD), died "as a result of torture during interrogation", the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) said. | Win Shwe, 42, a member of the National League for Democracy (NLD), died "as a result of torture during interrogation", the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) said. |