Crackdown a setback to democracy in Myanmar: UN

The United Nations expressed serious concern over recent crackdown in Myanmar following "peaceful" protests over surge in fuel prices, and questioned the military government`s commitment to democratisation. "They are all the more disappointing as they not only have the effect of calling into question the stated commitment to democratisation and national reconciliation by the authorities, but also make it more difficult to maintain international support, for engagement with Myanmar at a time when we believe strongly that the country needs international assistance in addressing the many pressing challenges, from political and human rights issues to humanitarian and socio-economic problems," Secretary-General`s special adviser Ibrahim Gambari said. "We strongly believe that there should be opportunities in the period ahead to improve on the outcome of the document of this national convention [which concluded yesterday] in ways that are more inclusive, more participatory and more transparent," he said, adding that some provisions adopted at the convention "would seemingly run counter to the objectives of national reconciliation and democratisation" added Gambari. "The expectations of the UN and of the international community are very clear and they require concrete results from Myanmar. I will continue to carry that message," he said. The special adviser noted that the UN is the only international actor to maintain a face-to-face dialogue with Myanmar’s top leaders and the detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Bush slaps sanctions on Myanmar President George W Bush announced new US sanctions against Myanmar over human rights after the annual UN General Assembly gathering of world leaders got underway. Bush was one of the first speakers on a list that later features Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and diplomats will be watching to see if the leaders of the two bitterly hostile countries cross paths or exchange words. But despite the United States leading efforts for more U.N. sanctions against Iran to curtail its nuclear program, Bush will only make a brief mention of Tehran in his speech, the White House said. "The speech is not about Iran," spokeswoman Dana Perino said. "The speech is about liberation and how liberation from poverty, disease, hunger, tyranny and oppression and ignorance can lift people up out of poverty and despair." Bush will advocate supporting groups in Myanmar that are trying to advance freedom and announce new sanctions directed at key members of the military rulers and their financial supporters, said White House national security adviser Stephen Hadley. "He`s going to talk about the importance of continuing to support the humanitarian organizations that are trying to deal with the needs of the people of Burma on the ground," he said, using Myanmar`s former name. Buddhist monks were joined by tens of thousands of protesters on marches in Myanmar on Monday in the biggest demonstration against the ruling generals since they crushed student-led protests nearly 20 years ago. The United States accuses Iran of supporting terrorism and supplying arms to insurgents in Iraq, and is pushing for a third U.N. Security Council sanctions resolution against Iran but faces opposition from China and Russia. The General Assembly session follows three days of meetings U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had organized to underscore a central role of the world body. The sessions were on Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Middle East and then a summit on climate change. Bureau Report