Brown criticises Burma's UN stance

Burma refused to let Ban Ki-moon meet Aung San Suu Kyi

Gordon Brown attacked the "obstinacy" of the Burmese regime after they refused to allow UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to meet with jailed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The Prime Minister, who has been a vocal campaigner for her release, spoke out after Mr Ban's two-day visit to the country ended without progress and warned of tougher sanctions.

"The UN Secretary general was right to go to Burma. he gave powerful voice to the UN's core mission - our collective commitment to humanitarian relief, democratic governance and human rights.

"But it is a measure of the obstinacy of the Burmese regime that they have once again failed to respect those principles, and failed to properly respond to the international figurehead who best embodies them.

"We await the Secretary General's report. I hope that there is still the possibility of a change of approach from Burma but if not, my sad conclusion is that the Burmese regime has put increased isolation, including the possibility of further sanctions, on the international agenda."

Mr Ban said he was "deeply disappointed" after Burma's military ruler said he could not see Suu Kyi because she was on trial.