The junta alleged those arrested tried to blow up a prison and a railway station and promised a “fair trial”.
Lorne Craner, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights, said: “We remain highly sceptical about the regime's commitment to any political transition.”
The regime, he added, “suppresses political dissent by censorship, persecution, beatings, disappearances and imprisonment”.
This is apparent to any visitor here. Few doubt that Burma's military chiefs rule through fear, repression and torture. Most people are afraid to discuss politics; those few who dare, talk only in whispers. Seemingly concerned because its economy is in a tailspin, the junta told Washington on Friday it would welcome “pragmatic, useful advice on making the transition to a stable democracy”.
Rangoon was just stalling for time, observers said. Long lines of nervous Burmese lined up outside banks making panicky withdrawals of their savings after the central bank limited pay-outs. New statistics showed foreign investment dropped 14.7% last year.
Lorne Craner, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights, said: “We remain highly sceptical about the regime's commitment to any political transition.”
The regime, he added, “suppresses political dissent by censorship, persecution, beatings, disappearances and imprisonment”.
This is apparent to any visitor here. Few doubt that Burma's military chiefs rule through fear, repression and torture. Most people are afraid to discuss politics; those few who dare, talk only in whispers. Seemingly concerned because its economy is in a tailspin, the junta told Washington on Friday it would welcome “pragmatic, useful advice on making the transition to a stable democracy”.
Rangoon was just stalling for time, observers said. Long lines of nervous Burmese lined up outside banks making panicky withdrawals of their savings after the central bank limited pay-outs. New statistics showed foreign investment dropped 14.7% last year.