Gambari

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters):

United Nations envoy Ibrahim Gambari warned Myanmar yesterday of serious international repercussions from its crackdown on pro-democracy protesters and urged the ruling junta to release all political prisoners.

But China and the United States clashed over whether the international community should take any action on Myanmar through the U.N. Security Council, with Beijing insisting the crisis there was an internal affair.

Just returned from Myanmar, Gambari cited "continuing and disturbing reports of abuses" by security forces, "particularly at night during curfew, including raids on private homes, beatings, arbitrary arrests and disappearances."

Gambari also told the council there were unconfirmed reports that the number of casualties was "much higher" than the dozen people authorities say have died.

He said the Myanmar government must recognise that what happened there "can have serious international repercussions."

Western countries are pushing for action by the Security Council, such as sanctions, but veto-wielding China has resisted.

Despite that, U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad told the council: "If the Burmese regime does not respond constructively to the demands of the international community in a timely manner, the United States is prepared to introduce a resolution in the Security Council imposing additional sanctions."