Protests Spread in Burma; Government Urged to Exercise Restraint

Protests Spread in Burma; Government Urged to Exercise Restraint.
He notes that in decades past, similar economic crises and price increases contributed to uprisings that drove out long-time rulers in the Philippines and Indonesia. Members of the international community - long critical of the government"s human rights record - are calling for dialogue to quell the unrest. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he is following events in Burma with concern. He urged the authorities to exercise maximum restraint in responding to the demonstrations and also called on both sides to avoid provocation. He called for a constructive dialogue toward national reconciliation. Earlier this week, the United States called for the release of dissidents arrested in the demonstrations and urged Burma"s leadership to engage in meaningful dialogue with members of democratic movements.