Burma junta ignores UN criticism
Tuesday, 16 Oct 2007 12:34
The Burma protests were brutally suppressed
Burma's military junta has rejected the UN security's council's condemnation of its crackdown on pro-democracy protestors last month.
The Yangon regime said it would continue implementing its "roadmap" for constitutional reform despite the council issuing a statement last Friday which "deplored" the use of violence against peaceful demonstrators.
"Some powerful countries dislike this constitution because it guarantees self-determination and bars others from meddling in the internal affairs of our country," the state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper quoted a spokesperson as saying.
"The entire people together with the government resolved to march towards a peaceful, modern and developed discipline-flourishing democratic nation in accord with the seven-step road map."
The comments come as Japan cut its multimillion dollar aid to the country, following the shooting of a Japanese photographer at the height of the protests.
Burmese state television has admitted that ten people were killed in the crackdown, but international observers – banned from entering the country – say the death-toll is much higher.
In the aftermath of the marches armed forces took over control of Yangon, with reports emerging from the New Light of Myanmar that searches of monasteries have undermined the reputation of the monks.
The junta's actions have received heavy criticism from the international community in addition to the security council statement. British prime minister Gordon Brown yesterday said the UK would press for "tough sanctions".