The International Committee of the Red Cross says it is "deeply worried" about the fate of thousands of people who have been arrested during the recent government crackdown in Burma.
A senior Red Cross official, Pierre Kraehenbuehl said in an interview Monday that the humanitarian group is seeking access to the detainees but that its efforts to reach them have not produced results.
Japan has canceled nearly five million dollars in aid to Burma because of the crackdown, which resulted in the shooting death of a Japanese journalist.
Japanese video journalist Kenji Nagai was killed September 27th while filming the demonstrations in Rangoon.
Burmese authorities put down pro-democracy demonstrations in Rangoon last month, killing at least 10 people. Since then, thousands of monks and activists have been arrested, and many are believed to have been killed.
Despite the violence, Malaysia says the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will never suspend Burma from the 10-nation bloc.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar says dialogue with Burma should continue but not under threats. He says the best way to resolve the situation is through the United Nations.
Syed Hamid spoke after meeting Tuesday in Kuala Lumpur with United Nations special envoy Ibrahim Gambari, who is on a regional tour trying to gather support for political reconciliation in Burma.
Gambari is expected to meet with Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Wednesday.
Information for this news provided by reuters and ap.
