UN Security Council criticises Myanmar for slow pace of democratic reforms
By Channel NewsAsia's Paige Kollock in New York | Posted: 18 January 2008 1941 hrs

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NEW YORK : The UN Security Council has criticised Myanmar for the slow pace of democratic reforms.

This came in a joint statement issued after the council met with the UN Special envoy Ibrahim Gambari.

Four months after Mr Gambari visited Myanmar, its leaders have done little to ignite a dialogue with opposition forces or fulfil the goals agreed upon during his meetings there.

Zalmay Khalilzad, US Ambassador to UN, said, "We need to increase the pressure on the authorities....reduce the gap between where things are and where things need to be."

The top priority is another visit by Mr Gambari, who has been to Myanmar twice since the crackdown last September, when monks stormed the streets of the capital Yangon and several were killed by government soldiers.

Mr Gambari said, "Every country that I've gone to, on record, has supported the goals of the Secretary General. But I'm not satisfied with that. I want that general verbal support to be translated into concrete action."

Those actions include withholding investment from Myanmar, stepping up the pressure on its government, especially from neighbours, and possibly even sanctions.

Sir John Sawers, British Ambassador to the UN, said, "We can't go back to the situation before the demonstrations of last September and their brutal repression by the authorities. It can't be business as usual. The government needs to respond to the concerns of the international community."

The statement issued by Council members is significant because it was agreed upon by all 15 members - including Asian members China, Indonesia and Vietnam - who have been hesitant to take a tough line against Myanmar because it is a fellow member of ASEAN. - CNA/ms