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Giant pro-government rally held in Yangon

Members of Myanmar Women's Affairs Association bow their heads in respect to the state flag at a pro-government rally in Yangon yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

Tens of thousands of people gathered early yesterday for a pro-government rally in Yangon in a show of strength by Myanmar's junta, as a UN envoy returned to Southeast Asia to pile pressure on the regime.

Under light rain, the people filled Yangon's main sports ground south of the city to hear officials voice support for the military's plan to build what it calls a "discipline-flourishing" democracy.

The military has staged similar rallies around the country in recent weeks, but this was the first one held in the nation's commercial hub since a deadly crackdown on anti-government protests last month.

The rally came as UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari headed back to Southeast Asia for a regional tour beginning in Bangkok to build pressure on the regime to reform.

Gambari is expected to prepare the ground for a return visit to Myanmar following his mission last month, when he was allowed to meet with both junta chief Than Shwe and detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The UN Security Council last week ratcheted up the pressure on the regime, issuing a statement supported by Myanmar's top ally China deploring the crackdown and calling for the release of thousands of political prisoners.

In official media yesterday, Myanmar called the UN statement "regrettable," but vowed to cooperate with the world body while pressing ahead with its so-called "road map" to democracy.

"It is regrettable that the UN Security Council has issued a presidential statement on Myanmar on Oct. 11, 2007, totally disregarding the fact that the situation in Myanmar does not represent a threat to regional and international peace and security," the official New Light of Myanmar newspaper said.

"The basic principle of the foreign policy of the Union of Myanmar is to maintain friendly relations with other countries in the region and in the world, and to have close cooperation with the United Nations," it added.

But it made no acknowledgement of the UN call for the release of political prisoners nor for the regime to engage in dialogue with detained pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.

Since Gambari's last visit, Than Shwe has made a heavily conditioned offer to hold talks with Aung San Suu Kyi, hinged on her ending support for sanctions and dropping "confrontational" policies.

The junta also appointed deputy labor minister Aung Kyi, a well-linked official known as a relative moderate, as a liaison officer tasked with coordinating contacts with the Nobel Peace Prize winner.

Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party has indicated that the proposal was under consideration, while insisting talks should be held with no strings attached.

However the EU already looks set to beef up its sanctions against Myanmar next week by introducing an embargo on timber, gems and metals, according to a draft text agreed on Friday.

"In view of the seriousness of the current situation and in solidarity with the people of Burma/Myanmar, the EU deems it necessary to increase direct pressure on the regime through stronger measures," according to the draft agreement, seen by AFP.
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