Miliband calls on Burma to allow peaceful protest
David Miliband has called on Burma’s military junta to allow peaceful protests on the streets of Rangoon.
The Foreign Secretary used his first address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York last night to give his backing to pro-democracy protests and urged the regime to promote “genuine reconciliation”.
He was speaking after soldiers opened fire on thousands of anti-government activists, killing at least nine people and injuring 11.
Mr Miliband urged the generals to co-operate with UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari, who has been sent to Burma by secretary-general Ban Ki-moon.
He said: “I call on the regime to allow peaceful protest, encourage national dialogue and promote genuine reconciliation.
“It is good that the Burmese government has allowed Ambassador Gambari access to the country but it’s now vital they use his presence there to start addressing the situation.”
He made a pointed reference to the maroon-robed monks who led the initial protests amid reports that many had now been rounded up during raids on monasteries.
“Let us today send a message to the monks on the streets of Burma: We support your demand for a democratic Burma,” he said.
“And let us take a message from the monks on the streets of Burma: the human desire for freedom knows no bounds of race or religion or region.”
His comments echoed those of US President George Bush who said: “The world is watching the people of Burma take to the streets to demand their freedom, and the American people stand in solidarity with these brave individuals.
“We feel admiration and compassion for the monks and peaceful protesters calling for democracy.
“Every civilised nation has a responsibility to stand up for people suffering under a brutal military regime like the one that has ruled Burma for too long.
“I call on all nations that have influence with the regime to join us in supporting the aspirations of the Burmese people and to tell the Burmese junta to cease using force on its own people, who are peacefully expressing their desire for change.”
Pro-democracy campaigners have pledged to “strike back” against the Burmese government today in the face of lethal attacks by the military.
Soldiers opened fire on thousands of anti-government activists yesterday, killing at least nine people and injuring 11.
Ko Aung, who is leading demonstrations outside the Burmese Embassy in London, said leaders in Rangoon had told him of their determination to continue their protests today.
“Many people have been killed, but people are prepared to sacrifice their lives for what they believe,” he said.
“They are not going to stop going to the streets. They have no choice but to go on the streets and challenge the military rule.”
He said protests against murderous repression under the military junta would continue outside the embassy in Mayfair, central London, today.
Among those killed yesterday was a Japanese journalist covering the demonstrations by at least 70,000 people.
Britain’s ambassador to Burma, Mark Canning, said the authorities “ratcheted up” their response in an attempt to “scare and intimidate” the protesters.
Large parts of Rangoon were barricaded off, including the golden Shwedagon Pagoda, but many demonstrators still took to the streets.
Troops in at least four locations in the city fired into crowds after thousands of protesters ignored orders to disband, witnesses and diplomats said.
Led by thousands of Buddhist monks in maroon robes, the Burmese protesters have been demanding the release of political activists and economic reforms in the impoverished nation.
The crisis began on August 19 with protests over a fuel price hike, but has been swelled by pent-up opposition to years of harsh military rule.
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