Pressure mounts on Myanmar

Japan cut aid to Myanmar yesterday, a day after the European Union stiffened its sanctions and US President George W. Bush threatened to follow suit in response to the junta's crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.

Despite the flurry of sticks being waved at military-ruled Myanmar, however, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown offered a carrot - economic help for the impoverished southeast Asian nation if it began moves towards democracy.

Thailand proposed a regional forum, including China and India, to nudge the reclusive junta towards democratic reform, but Malaysia was lukewarm to the idea, saying it could divert attention away from the current UN mediation effort.

Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura said Tokyo would halt 550 million yen (Lm1.3 million) in aid following last month's suppression of Buddhist monk-led protests, in which at least 10 people were killed, including a Japanese video journalist.

"We need to show the Japanese government's position. We cannot take action supporting the military government at this stage," Mr Komura told reporters, adding that Japan's health programme aid for Myanmar would nevertheless continue.

The International Committee of the Red Cross, meanwhile, said it was seeking access to thousands of people detained during the recent crackdown, though authorities had not yet agreed to talks.

"The ICRC is deeply worried about the fate of thousands of people who have reportedly been arrested in connection with recent events in Myanmar," Pierre Kraehenbuehl, the ICRC's director of operations, said in a statement in Geneva.