The European Union and the United States have condemned Burma's treatment of pro-Democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. The EU has hinted at diplomatic retaliation. There has been no independent confirmation of Ms Suu Kyi's whereabouts since Government forces ended a roadside standoff with the party leader and her followers.
The American Secretary of Sate, Madeleine Albright, said that she was outraged by the Burmese authorities' use of force to end the nine-day standoff, which began when police blocked a road to prevent Ms Suu Kyi leaving the capital, Rangoon. Earlier, a European Foreign Ministers' meeting in Evian, in France, condemned the military government.
The military authorities in Burma yesterday raided the headquarters of the country's main opposition party, the National League for Democracy, in the capital. It was also reported that at least three members of the party have been placed under house arrest. British Foreign Minister Robin Cook said that their Ambassador has been trying to contact the pro-democracy leader, but without success.
