UN Security Council under pressure to quickly slam Myanmar repression
By Thomson Financial News 
October  7, 2007
Forbes Magazine
Original Source: http://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2007/10/07/afx4194753.html http://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2007/10/07/afx4194753.html


Faced with mounting world outrage over violence in Myanmar, the UN Security Council is to meet Monday under pressure to quickly condemn the military regime for crushing pro-democracy protests.
The 15-member body is to weigh a draft statement that would condemn 'the violent repression of peaceful demonstrations' by Myanmar's rulers, urge them to 'cease repressive measures' and release detainees as well as all political prisoners, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The non-binding text, drafted by the US, the UK and France, was submitted Friday to the full council after members heard a report from UN emissary Ibrahim Gambari on his recent mission to defuse the crisis.
But despite worldwide protests Saturday in support of Myanmar's embattled pro-democracy movement, the draft is likely to be toned down at the request of China, Russia and possibly Indonesia before it can be adopted by consensus, diplomats said.
The US has threatened to push for UN sanctions against Myanmar's ruling generals, including an arms embargo, if they refuse to halt their crackdown and to cooperate with Gambari's mediation for national reconciliation.
But any sanctions resolution is likely to face resistance and possibly a veto from China and Russia, which both argue that the turmoil in the Southeast Asian country is an internal matter that does not represent a threat to regional or international peace and security.
Last January, China and Russia used a rare double veto to block a US-sponsored draft resolution that called on Myanmar's rulers to free all political detainees and end sexual violence by the military.
A Western diplomat said that council experts will try Monday to work out an amended version of the text which would then be submitted to their ambassadors for approval.
Unlike a resolution, a so-called presidential statement requires the consent of all 15 members to be adopted.
The Western sponsors said they expect approval in the coming days.
On Friday, Gambari said that council unity is 'key to really getting Myanmar authorities to move along the lines that we all want, which is a peaceful, democratic Myanmar, with full respect for human rights.'
He said all council members agree that the status quo in Myanmar 'is unacceptable and unsustainable' and back his plan to pay a return visit to Myanmar before mid-November 'in order to keep the momentum, which we must not allow to slip.'
But China, which has close ties with Myanmar and favors constructive engagement with its military regime, has warned that putting pressure on the junta 'would lead to confrontation.'
China's UN envoy, Wang Guangya, on Friday urged the council to adopt 'a prudent and responsible approach.'
'If the situation in Myanmar takes a worst turn because of external intervention, it will be the people of the country who will bear the brunt,' he said.
Gambari said that council members agree that Myanmar's partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and regional powers such as China, but also India and Japan, have a key role to play in defusing the crisis.
But council members face intense pressure for tougher action from public opinion as well as from human rights groups.
Yvonne Terlingen, head of Amnesty International's UN office, called on the council to agree 'a strong statement expressing its deep concern about continuing human rights violations and calling on the Myanmar authorities to take immediate concrete action to protect human rights.'
And pressure for a tougher UN response, including sanctions, is likely to grow if Myanmar's rulers do not end their repression and start a meaningful dialogue with their opposition led by Aung San Suu Kyi.