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Japan adds to pressure on Burma Japan adds to pressure on Burma
(about 2 hours later)
Japan is halting $5.5m (£2.7m) in funding for a human resources centre in Burma as economic pressure builds on the military government there. Japan is halting $4.7m (£2.3m) in funding for a human resources centre in Burma, as economic pressure mounts on the military government there.
A Japanese journalist was among those killed by Burmese troops during the bloody suppression of pro-democracy demonstrations last month. The move follows the death of a Japanese journalist during the Burmese military's bloody suppression of anti-government protests last month.
Earlier, the EU approved an embargo on wood and metal products from Burma. It reflected Japan's "strong concerns" over the situation, a minister said.
US President George W Bush has urged the world to take "consequential" action against the junta. On Monday, the EU upped sanctions on Burma and the US urged "consequential" action against its leaders.
The Japanese funding, promised in 2005, was to have been used for the centre at Rangoon University, where courses in economics, management and Japanese would have been taught. Japan is one of the leading donors of aid to Burma.
In Washington, a White House spokesman said the US was considering toughening its own, existing sanctions. The funding, promised in 2005, was to have been used for a centre at Rangoon University, where courses in economics, management and Japanese would have been taught.
But the shooting of video journalist Kenji Nagai, 50, sparked outrage in Japan and has led to a tougher position.
''Japan has to show its stance and we can't effectively be supporting the military junta at this point in time,'' Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura said.
Japan would increase efforts to persuade the Burmese government to move towards democracy, he said.
Growing pressure
In Washington, a White House spokesman said the US was considering toughening its own existing sanctions.
"Without telegraphing too many specifics or details, it could include expanding the number of people affected by the travel ban, it could include additional financial sanctions against the junta or those involved," Gordon Johndroe told the BBC's World Today programme."Without telegraphing too many specifics or details, it could include expanding the number of people affected by the travel ban, it could include additional financial sanctions against the junta or those involved," Gordon Johndroe told the BBC's World Today programme.
"So there's a number of different measures that we're currently looking at, and getting close to implementing." Troops detained thousands of people during the crackdown
UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari has described as "extremely disturbing" new arrests in Burma and has called on the junta to stop detaining democracy activists. At a question-and-answer session in the state of Arkansas, meanwhile, President George W Bush made it plain that it was his intention to act - and to act soon - against Burma.
EU measures He advocated "enormous international pressure to make it clear to the generals that they will be completely isolated and not accepted into the international community of nations".
On top of an EU travel ban and a freeze on assets, Burma's generals now face fresh embargoes on some of their more lucrative exports - including jade, rubies and teak. Earlier on Monday, the European Union agreed new punitive measures against Burma.
However, European sanctions have had practically no impact on Burma, as more than 90% of the country's trade is with its Asian neighbours, BBC European affairs correspondent Oana Lungescu says. On top of a travel ban and a freeze on assets, Burma's generals now face fresh embargoes on some of their more lucrative exports - including jade, rubies and teak.
However, correspondents say, European sanctions have had practically no impact on Burma, as more than 90% of the country's trade is with its Asian neighbours.
The new measures will not prevent the French energy giant Total from doing business with the junta, though diplomats say that may come later.The new measures will not prevent the French energy giant Total from doing business with the junta, though diplomats say that may come later.
At a question-and-answer session in the state of Arkansas, President Bush made it plain that it was his intention to act - and to act soon - against Burma. Meanwhile UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari has described as "extremely disturbing" new arrests in Burma and has called on the junta to stop detaining democracy activists.
He praised Burma's detained opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and advocated "enormous international pressure to make it clear to the generals that they will be completely isolated and not accepted into the international community of nations".
Burma's security forces at the weekend rounded up three of the remaining leaders from September's demonstrations, according to human rights group Amnesty International.Burma's security forces at the weekend rounded up three of the remaining leaders from September's demonstrations, according to human rights group Amnesty International.
Burma says it arrested about 100 monks in recent weeks and that only 10 people died during its crackdown on protests, but correspondents say the true figures are probably much higher. Mr Gambari is currently in Southeast Asia for talks with Burma's neighbours and key trading partners.
Burma says 10 people died during its crackdown on the protests, but diplomats believe the true figures are much higher. Hundreds of people are thought to be in detention.