Thu, Sep. 27th, 2007, 01:50 am
Response from the international community.

The USA responded rapidly to news of the Burmese government's hardening stance. Though I am not generally a supporter of President George W. Bush, I applaud his immediate response. He said that the US is "outraged" by Burma's human rights record and announced further sanctions.

Sanctions from the US are, however, unlikely to have much influence without China and India, Burma's main trading partners getting involved. China has remained largely silent about the current protests. However, with next year's Olympics taking place in Beijing, the Chinese government has something of a dilemma. It does not want to be seen as supporting an oppressive regime.

Today, the UK's Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, took time away from the Labour Party Conference to call for immediate EU and UN talks. He requested three actions: firstly, European Union sanctions; secondly, an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council; and thirdly, for the UN Envoy, Ibrahim Gambari, to travel to Burma. In his speech Mr Brown constantly used the words "illegitimate and oppressive regime", to underline the undemocratic and unelected nature of the Burmese government. Agence France Presse reports the EU is ready to reinforce its sanctions.

The UN Security Council met tonight to discuss the worsening crisis in Burma. Meanwhile UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced he is sending his Special Envoy to the region, in response to international pressures and a letter from the All Burma Buddhist Monks Union.

Australia reported they have no plans for sanctions at this time. Japan, one of the few countries who will supply aid to Burma, reminded the Burmese government of this fact and urged for calm. Russia, however, warned the UN against exerting pressure on the Burmese military government.

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