Burma Authorities Should Use Restraint - UN

Myanmar's authorities should respond to protests with restraint - Ban Ki-moon

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on the authorities in Myanmar to exercise restraint in dealing with the recent wave of peaceful protests, saying he hopes they will spur dialogue between the Government and other groups on promoting national reconciliation, the restoration of democracy and full respect for human rights.

"The Secretary-General hopes that the Government will seize this opportunity to engage without delay in dialogue with all the relevant parties to the national reconciliation process on the issues of concern to the people of Myanmar," his spokesperson said in a statement.

Mr. Ban is closely following events in the Asian country, where demonstrations began last month in protest at a surge in fuel prices and the protesters have more recently included many of the country's monks.

"He commends the peaceful approach the demonstrators are using to press their interests, and he calls upon the Myanmar authorities to continue to exercise restraint," the statement added.

The Secretary-General also expressed his commitment to continue to use his good offices mandate to help in the process of national reconciliation process with a view to also promoting "the restoration of democracy and full respect for human rights in Myanmar."

Last week, Mr. Ban's Special Envoy for Myanmar emphasized that the latest events are a clear setback for the country.

Briefing the Security Council, Ibrahim Gambari said "we have no choice but to persevere" through the Secretary-General's good offices and work with all relevant parties to try to "move events in the right direction."

ENDS

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