UN Security Council Discusses Unrest in Burma

The United Nations Security Council discussed the unrest in Burma on Thursday and urged the UN Secretary- General's Special Envoy on Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, to visit the country as soon as possible.

Gambari [Photo: Ernest Harsch]

It was the second discussion of Burma this year, following the veto of a Security Council resolution against Burma by China and Russia. Weeks of growing civil unrest in Burma has increased demands by international pro-democracy supporters and human rights activists for the Security Council to condemn the Burmese military government's harsh rule. 

"We are concerned about the situation (in Burma), especially now because we are seeing the worsening of the political situation that is effecting the well-being of the people of Burma," the US Ambassador to the UN, Zalmay Khalilzad, told reporters after the meeting.

Khalilzad pushed for the discussion in the Security Council, saying the current situation "poses a threat to regional peace and stability."

Envoy Gambari
In an earlier briefing of the 15-member Security Council, Gambari said recent protests demonstrations throughout the country have raised serious concerns in the international community.

"It once again underscores the urgency to step-up our efforts to find solutions to the challenges facing the country," he said.

Gambari earlier briefed the Security Council on his recent consultations in key international capitals including Beijing, New Delhi, Moscow, Washington, Paris, London and Bangkok. He said the secretary-general is concerned about the situation in Burma and hopes that protestors who have been detained will soon be released by the military government.

He said recent events were a "set back for Myanmar [Burma], but "we have no choice but to persevere," working through the UN with the support of the international community "in trying to move things in the right direction while working with all the relevant parties inside the country."
Gambari said his four priorities for Burma consist of a review by the regime of its security measures, the release of large numbers of political prisoners and detainees, an end to hostilities in Karen State and the start of a transparent political process.

Members of the Security Council urged Gambari to visit Burma soon and to consult with all political leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi who is under house arrest.


"We certainly are appalled by steps taken by the regime to silence the peaceful protests," said a French diplomat, who attended the meeting.

When asked if it is time for the Security Council to pass a resolution on Burma, he said: "We would certainly support such an action, provided there is sufficient support in the council."

"The fact that the council had a discussion on the issue and gave its full support to Gambari, I think, is a statement in itself. This should not be underestimated," said the diplomat.

US ambassador Khalilzad said the US wanted to see a sequence of events unfold before proposing another resolution on Burma to the council.

"We urge him (Gambari) to go to Burma as soon as possible, the [Burma] government to cooperate, and for him to come back and then we will take it from there," he said.