French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown have called for genuine dialogue between the military government of Burma and opposition parties.
Writing in the International Herald Tribune newspaper, the two leaders called Burma the sick man of Southeast Asia and said the deteriorating humanitarian situation" had taken its toll on the people.
Mr. Brown and Mr. Sarkozy said Burma is in danger of retreating to the dark ages while the rest of Southeast Asia advances into the digital age.
They said the huge demonstrations and protests over recent months have shown that the regime has pushed the Burmese people beyond the breaking point.
The article called on neighboring countries to support and encourage reconciliation and political transition in Burma.
