By EDITH M. LEDERER,

AP

Posted: 2007-10-11 22:35:23

UNITED NATIONS (AP) – In its first-ever statement on Myanmar , the U.N. Security Council said Thursday it “strongly deplores” the government’s violent crackdown on protesters and called for a “genuine dialogue” between the country’s military rulers and the pro-democracy opposition.

The compromise statement approved by all 15 council members – including close Myanmar ally China – emphasized “the importance of the early release of all political prisoners and remaining detainees.”

The council statement was read at a formal meeting shortly after the United Nations announced that Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is sending the U.N. envoy to Myanmar, Ibrahim Gambari, back to the region next week for consultations with key governments.

The council underscored its support “for his return as early as possible” and urged the government to cooperate fully.

Ban sent Gambari to Myanmar after troops quashed protests initially led by students and then by Buddhist monks in late September. He told the Security Council on his return last week that he was concerned at reports of a continuing crackdown on protesters.

“The Security Council strongly deplores the use of violence against peaceful demonstrations in Myanmar,” the statement said.

The protests were violently crushed when soldiers opened fire on the crowd. Myanmar’s military junta said 10 people were killed and nearly 2,100 arrested, but diplomats and dissidents say the death toll is likely much higher and up to 6,000 people were seized, including thousands of monks.

The United States, Britain and France proposed a stronger text that would have condemned the violence and called for the immediate release of the political prisoners and detainees, singling out pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi who has been under house arrest for 12 of the last 18 years. But it was watered down to get approval from China, which had proposed a much weaker text.

In January, China and Russia cast a rare double veto on a U.S.-sponsored resolution calling on Myanmar’s military government to release all political prisoners, speed up progress toward democracy and stop attacks against ethnic minorities.

U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad called Thursday’s statement “acceptable” to the United States, saying “the fact that for the first time we have been able to bring the council to speak unanimously …. is an important achievement.”

“The test for success is what happens on the ground,” he said. “Our expectation is that this statement will have an impact, a positive impact on the situation on the ground in terms of government behavior, and if it doesn’t we’re committed to coming back.”

China’s deputy U.N. ambassador Liu Zhenmin expressed hope that the statement will help Gambari “to convince the parties in Myanmar to achieve their national reconciliation.”

Gambari will begin his consultations in Thailand on Monday and then travel to Malaysia, Indonesia, India, China and Japan, “with a view to returning to Myanmar shortly thereafter,” U.N. deputy spokeswoman Marie Okabe said. She gave no date.

In the statement, “the Security Council stresses the need for the government of Myanmar to create the necessary conditions for a genuine dialogue with Daw Aung Sann Suu Kyi and all concerned parties and ethnic groups in order to achieve an inclusive national reconciliation with the direct support of the United Nations.”

It welcomed the government’s “public commitment to work with the United Nations and the appointment of a liaison officer” to Suu Kyi.

The White House applauded the statement and stressed the importance of an all-inclusive dialogue and releasing all political prisoners and detainees.

“The Burmese regime should act on the council’s call to take all necessary measures to address the political, economic, humanitarian and human rights issues that are the concern of the Burmese people,” said Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for the U.S. National Security Council.

Last week, Gambari urged Myanmar’s leadership “to make the bold choices” to demonstrate its commitment to democracy and national reconciliation.

He said he said he was “cautiously encouraged” that the country’s military ruler, Senior Gen. Than Shwe, would meet Suu Kyi “although with certain conditions.” They include giving up her calls for confronting the government and for imposing sanctions against it, Myanmar state media said.