A senior United Nations envoy is in Burma to urge the military government to end its violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.
Ibrahim Gambari arrived Saturday in Rangoon and headed for the new administrative capital, Naypyidaw, to meet with military leaders. He is trying to broker talks between protesters and the generals who run the country.
A White House spokesman, Gordon Johndroe issued a statement urging the military government to grant Gambari full access to everyone he wishes to meet, including detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Singapore's foreign minister, George Yeo, speaking at the United Nations in New York, said he and other diplomats are concerned that Gambari's visit will not accomplish much.
Soldiers and police maintained tight control over the capital city of Rangoon Saturday, dispersing small and scattered protests. In one incident, witnesses say security forces charged a crowd of demonstrators, beat many and arrested five.
In the city of Pakokku, southwest of Mandalay, sources say a group of about one thousand monks led thousands of people in a peaceful demonstration.
Since Wednesday, Burmese security forces have used gunfire to disperse thousands of protesters. The official death toll is 10, but there are fears the actual number may be far higher.
Military squads in Rangoon and Mandalay have raided and cordoned off Buddhist monasteries, and detained monks accused of instigating the demonstrations.
Human rights groups and exiles with contacts in Burma say the Internet and most other forms of electronic communication were cut off.
Protests in Rangoon and other Burmese cities began last month after the military abruptly doubled fuel prices. The original demonstrations have expanded into a broad demand for democratic reforms.
