By JUSTIN BERGMAN,

AP

Posted: 2007-10-05 23:46:19

UNITED NATIONS (AP) – The United States warned it would push for U.N. sanctions against Myanmar  if it fails to respond to international demands to move toward democracy, but the country’s U.N. ambassador strongly resisted punitive measures, saying it is not a threat to regional security and needs “patience” to promote reconciliation.

The U.S. and its allies on the Security Council, France and Britain, said Friday after being briefed on the U.N. special envoy’s four-day trip to Myanmar that they want swift action in response to the government’s brutal crackdown on demonstrations last week.

Security Council members met behind closed doors to discuss a possible statement in support of national reconciliation in the country and U.N. envoy Ibrahim Gambari’s efforts, but U.S. ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad stressed he was prepared to go further.

“The United States is appalled by the brutal repression that has been carried out by the Burmese regime against its own people,” he told the council. Myanmar is also known as Burma.

If the junta does not respond to the demands of the international community, he warned, “the U.S. is prepared to introduce a resolution in the Security Council imposing sanctions,” citing a possible arms embargo.

But China and Russia remain opposed to council action, saying the situation in Myanmar is an internal affair that does not threaten international peace and security.

China’s U.N. Ambassador Wang Guangya called on the Security Council to exercise restraint and reiterated his country’s opposition to pressuring Myanmar through such measures as sanctions.

“Pressure would not serve any purpose and would only lead to confrontation,” Wang said. “If the situation in Myanmar takes a worse turn because of external intervention it will be the people of the country who will bear the brunt.”

Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said his government has called on the junta to implement democratic reforms. The Security Council’s job, he said, “is to continue lending political support to the efforts of Mr. Gambari.”

Myanmar’s U.N. ambassador, Kyaw Tint Swe, also urged against Security Council action, saying his country was committed to forging ahead with national reconciliation.

“Patience, time and space is needed,” he said. “Despite the recent tragic events, the situation in Myanmar is not, and I repeat not, a threat to either regional or international peace and security. No Security Council action is warranted.”

Kyaw Tint Swe said stability had returned to his country and people have been holding peaceful, pro-government rallies “to demonstrate their aversion to recent, provocative demonstrations.” Critics say such rallies are shams, filled with people ordered to attend by authorities.

In his speech to the council, U.N. envoy Gambari said he was “cautiously encouraged” that the country’s military ruler, Senior Gen. Than Shwe, said he would meet with Suu Kyi, with certain conditions. Those include giving up her calls for confronting the government and for imposing sanctions against it, Myanmar state media said.

“This is an hour of historic opportunity for Myanmar,” Gambari said. “To delay the prospect of a peaceful, prosperous and democratic Myanmar is to deny it to those who deserve it most, the people of Myanmar.”

Gambari stressed, however, that U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for talks without any preconditions to overcome “the high level of mistrust” between Than Shwe and Suu Kyi.

“From my own conversations (with Suu Kyi), she appears to be very anxious to have a proper dialogue – and, of course, a dialogue that the secretary-general has characterized as without preconditions – because that would be the best way to move forward. Just start talking,” Gambari told reporters afterward.

Gambari said he has been invited to return to Myanmar in mid-November but may try to go earlier.

Ban, in an earlier address the council, urged Myanmar’s military rulers to “take bold actions towards democratization and respect for human rights.”

Gambari in his speech urged Myanmar’s leadership “to make the bold choices” to demonstrate its commitment to democracy and national reconciliation.

Myanmar’s ambassador said Friday that 2,095 detainees had been released, including 728 monks, and that more releases will follow.

The U.S., Britain and France circulated a draft presidential statement Friday night that would welcome Gambari’s mission, condemn the government’s “violent repression” of peaceful demonstrations, and call for the immediate release of all detainees and political prisoners, including Suu Kyi, to promote “genuine reconciliation, dialogue and democratization.”

The draft statement, which the council is expected to discuss next week, supports a dialogue between the government and opposition “without conditions.”

Most Security Council members stressed the importance of China – Myanmar’s closest ally and biggest trading partner – in order to resolve the crisis. But some also said Myanmar’s neighbors in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations need to play a part.

ASEAN, of which Myanmar is a member, last week issued its harshest condemnation of the junta, calling the crackdown “repulsive.”

Singapore’s U.N. ambassador, Vanu Gopala Menon, whose country currently chairs ASEAN, told the council Friday, however, that the bloc has not been given the access in Myanmar that Gambari has and its influence is limited.

“At this stage, Mr. Gambari represents our best hope and is also the only game in town,” he said.