International
US urges Americans to avoid travel to Myanmar

Washington, Sept. 27 (AP): The State Department warned U.S. citizens thinking of traveling to Myanmar to postpone their trips amid a violent crack down on protesting Buddhist monks.

Security forces in Myanmar, also known as Burma, fired on demonstrators who failed to disperse and beat monks in an effort to stop eight days of anti-government marches led by the monks.

The State Department urged Americans living there to avoid protests, ``as they could turn violent with little or no warning.''

In New York, after a joint meeting of foreign ministers, the European Union and the United States condemned attacks on the demonstrators and urged the country's military rulers to stop the violence and open a dialogue with pro-democracy leaders.

Also, the U.N. Security Council discussed the situation, expressed concern over the violence, then urged restraint by the military government against peaceful protesters. The council gave strong support for Ibrahim Gambari, an envoy of the United Nations who briefed the emergency meeting and was then leaving for the region.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she had met with other world leaders to talk about Myanmar. ``We really do call on the regime to cease all violence and to lay a framework, lay a foundation for a peaceful discussion,'' Rice said.

President George W. Bush said Tuesday that the U.S. would tighten economic sanctions on leaders of the regime and their financial backers, and impose an expanded visa ban on those responsible for human rights violations and their families.

The current protests began Aug. 19 after the government hiked fuel prices in one of Asia's poorest countries. But they are based in deep-rooted dissatisfaction with the repressive military rule that has gripped the country since 1962. The protests were faltering when the monks took the lead last week.

International

---

---