Proof that the pressure is producing results!

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iNQM50ZpyM5TDIvffetWlbolXcGAD8SDD7280

China, UN Talk of Sudan, Myanmar

1 day ago

BEIJING (AP) — China has discussed tensions in Sudan and Myanmar with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the Foreign Ministry said Sunday.

But a ministry statement did not release details of the Saturday night telephone call between Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Ban.

Critics say China has not used its influence with the governments of Sudan and Myanmar to try to alleviate major humanitarian crises in the two countries. Some international human rights groups have called for boycotts of next year's Beijing Olympics unless China acts.

China is one of Sudan's closest allies, buying two-thirds of its oil output and supplying the government with weapons. Beijing has been urged to pressure Khartoum to hasten the deployment of an African Union-U.N. peacekeeping force in the troubled Darfur region. More than 200,000 people have died and 2.5 million have been driven from their homes during the 4-year-old Darfur conflict.

The Chinese have also come under pressure to use their influence with Myanmar's ruling junta to urge the regime to show restraint after a violent crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators.

Tens of thousands of people turned out for rallies in Myanmar last month. The junta claims that 10 people were killed when troops opened fire on demonstrators. Diplomats and dissidents say the death toll was much higher.

Beijing earlier this month agreed to the issuing of a statement of concern by the U.N. Security Council over the crackdown.


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http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=2&theme=&usrsess=1&id=174064

Ban calls PM to discuss Myanmar

UNITED NATIONS/NEW DELHI, Oct. 22: United Nations Secretary-General Mr Ban Ki-Moon today spoke to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh over phone and discussed the situation in Myanmar where the military junta had cracked down on pro-democracy street protests.
The telephonic talk, initiated by Mr Ban and Dr Singh, came a ahead of the UN Secretary-General's special envoy Mr Ibrahim Gambari's meeting with the Prime Minister and foreign minister Mr Pranab Mukherjee here tomorrow. Mr Gambari met foreign secretary Mr Shiv Shankar Menon today. The conversation between the UN Secretary General and the Prime Minister came at a time when India is under growing world pressure over Myanmar issue.
Mr Gambari, who arrived here last night, is on a mission to coordinate efforts among key governments in Asia to help resolve the crisis in Myanmar. He has already held discussions with officials of Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. He is also slated to visit China and Japan to discuss the situation in Myanmar. He is scheduled to go to Myanmar in the middle of November for another round of discussions with the military leadership and the Opposition seeking a democratic
set-up. n SNS & PTI