BURMA:Burma's military junta last night criticised the United Nations for meddling in its affairs, a day after the Security Council called on the regime to release all political prisoners and engage in "genuine dialogue" with Aung San Suu Kyi, the democracy advocate.
Burma's state television said the recent "developments" inside the country were not the concern of the outside world, or a threat to regional security and it expressed "deep regret that the [ council] has issued a statement contrary to the people's desires".
The International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) said it was very concerned about the welfare of the Burmese rounded up in the junta's crackdown on democracy protests and is struggling to gain access to prisons.
"The ICRC is deeply worried about the fate of thousands of people who have reportedly been arrested," Carla Haddad, an ICRC spokeswoman, said. "We have been approached by dozens of worried families asking to locate their relatives."
The ICRC, which wants to visit detention centres to ensure prisoners are being treated humanely and help them re-establish contact with families, has sought to engage the regime in a "meaningful dialogue" on these "most urgent humanitarian problems". But "our efforts have not yet produced any tangible results", Ms Haddad said.
Concerns about those detained have been heightened in recent days after reports that an activist from Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy died in custody of injuries sustained in his "interrogation".
Accounts of abuse are emerging as the junta frees those that it deems not to have played leadership roles in the demonstrations. Defying warnings to remain quiet, they have told Burmese journalists of beatings, the defrocking of monks, lack of medical care for the injured and the use of non-sterile equipment, such as shared needles, when treatment was finally provided.
The regime has so far ignored a suggestion from Ibrahim Gambari, the UN special envoy, that ICRC be given access to those detained in the crackdown.
Myanmar Airways International, Burma's national carrier, has suspended most of its international flights - mainly to Thailand and Malaysia - after its insurers halted coverage "due to the recent crisis".
Trying to deflect global anger at the recent use of force against demonstrators, the Burmese military last week opened the door to talks with Ms Suu Kyi. But analysts say the generals are likely to be unsettled that their protectors China and Russia - which vetoed a council resolution on Burma months ago - have now endorsed a statement commenting on conditions inside the country.
Burma democracy activists and human rights groups are calling for an arms embargo on Burma, which at present has a delegation in Russia, reportedly considering buying missile systems.
State television reported yesterday that Gen Soe Win, the prime minister, who is reviled for organising a brutal attack on Ms Suu Kyi in 2003, had died after a long illness. His death was not expected to have any political impact.