U.N. and EU boost pressure on Myanmar junta

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- Myanmar's leading opposition party urged the ruling military junta Monday to free political detainees immediately, echoing a call by the United Nations' special envoy who said reports of new arrests of dissidents were "extremely disturbing."

U.N. envoy Ibrahim Gambari called on the country's military junta to immediately halt its crackdown.

"It runs counter to the spirit of mutual engagement between the U.N. and Myanmar," Gambari said after meeting with Thailand's foreign minister at the start of a six-nation tour to seek Asia's help in resolving Myanmar's crisis.

Myanmar's regime also faced pressure from the European Union, where foreign ministers of the bloc's member nations announced the threat of new sanctions while offering to hold off if the generals begin talks with pro-democracy groups.

The EU, which approved a ban on imports of Myanmar's timber, gemstones and precious metals but not its oil and natural gas, also discussed a proposal from Britain to offer economic aid to Myanmar if the junta cooperates.

Rights groups said four of Myanmar's most prominent political activists were arrested during the weekend. Gambari said the reports were "extremely disturbing and these actions must stop at once."

Ahead of Gambari's arrival in Bangkok, Myanmar's military rulers partially eased restrictions imposed after massive pro-democracy protests last month, restoring Internet access over the weekend but keeping foreign news sites blocked.

The junta cut Internet access September 28, two days after troops opened fire on peaceful protesters and images of the crackdown were plastered on Web sites.

In Thailand, Gambari met with Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram. Gambari travels next to Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, India and China before returning to Myanmar, where earlier this month Gambari met with junta leader Gen. Than Shwe.

"The U.N. is committed to do everything it can to promote a peaceful resolution of the crisis," he said. Gambari said he had an invitation confirmed by high-level authorities to visit Myanmar in mid-November but hoped to go back "sooner rather than later."

Surayud told reporters after meeting Gambari that Thailand would send a letter to the Myanmar government asking it to let the U.N. envoy enter the country as soon as possible and stay long enough to discuss all details.

"We believe that the solution should be through negotiations and dialogue, which should be without any preconditions," the Thai leader said.

In Tokyo, the Japanese government announced Tuesday it was canceling a $4.7 million business grant in protest over the death of Japanese journalist Kenji Nagai, one of at least 10 people killed in the crackdown, Kyodo News agency reported.

On Saturday, security forces arrested at least four prominent political activists who went into hiding to escape a government manhunt after leading some of the first major marches several weeks ago, Amnesty International said.

Among the activists detained was one of Myanmar's most famous dissidents, Htay Kywe. Others arrested included Aung Htoo and Thin Thin Aye, also known as Mie Mie.

The three were believed to be among the last remaining activists at large from the 88 Generation Students group, which was at the forefront of a 1988 democracy uprising and one of the main forces behind the protests that started in August. A fourth activist, Ko Ko, was also arrested, Amnesty International said.

Gambari called for the release of all political detainees, including those arrested during the recent protests, and asked for access by the International Red Cross to those in detention. The work of the Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross has been severely restricted by the Myanmar regime in recent years.

When asked if Myanmar's Southeast Asian neighbors and the international community have done enough to resolve the crisis, he said: "I believe so but we can all do better. We could do more. Not just Thailand ... India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and the United Nations, we could do more."

The U.N. has spearheaded an international effort to push Myanmar's military, which has ruled the country since 1962, to halt its crackdown and enter negotiations with detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, head of the National League for Democracy.

The NLD on Monday urged the junta Monday to free political detainees without any conditions and to stop its alleged torture of prisoners. Several thousand people are believed to have been detained, and there are many reports they have been mistreated in custody. E-mail to a friend

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

All About Aung San Suu Kyi • Ibrahim Gambari • Myanmar