UN council considers statement condemning Burma

The draft was being considered by the council's legal experts, but there was no timeline as to when the statement would be adopted and issued. China and Russia viewed the turmoil in Myanmar as an internal matter and would oppose interference by the council.

The draft under discussion would "condemn the violent repression by the government of Burma of peaceful demonstrations, including the use of force against religious figures and institutions." 

It said the government has continued mass detention of those who took part in the popular demonstrations and called for an end to "repressive measures" as the first step to de-escalate the situation.

It called for a full account of "those jailed, missing or killed" during the demonstrations, asking the government to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to meet the detainees and investigate those reported missing.

"To address the underlying factors of the recent unrest, the Security Council calls also for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners" in order to foster the process of national reconciliation, dialogue and democratization, the draft said.

The draft would give support to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and countries in the region in their role in resolving the crisis and calling for a peaceful transition to democracy.

It would support the return to Burma of special UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari, who said last week he plans to return to Southeast Asia in early November to continue his diplomatic efforts to bring democracy to Burma.

The draft would urge the military government in Yangon to ensure "full and unlimited access" for Gambari.

Gambari visited Burma last week to deliver a "strong message" from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon calling on the government to end the repression and embark on democratic reform.

Gambari reported to the council upon returning to New York that by the Burmese government's own account, up to a dozen people were killed, including a Japanese photographer, several dozen were wounded and more than 2,000 people arrested.

"Unconfirmed reports, however, put the number of casualties much higher," he said.//DPA