International reactions to the Saffron Revolution
South Africa - Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu on September 25, appealed to the United Nations and international community to press the Burmese government to release political detainees.
In China's first official comment on the protests, Zhang Zhijun, a vice minister of the party's International Department, said Beijing has had minimal contact with either side and would abide by its long-term policy of noninterference in the domestic affairs of its allies.
[2] However, the Chinese government has quietly urged Myanmar's military rulers to ease the strife despite its stance that it would publicly stick to a hands-off approach toward its neighbor.
[8] On September 28, 2007, Moon Guk-hyeon (Korean: 문국현), one of the pro-government candidates (currently 'independent') of the 2007 presidential election published their press release that the Government of Myanmar should not fight with their gun against democracy.
[16] On the same day, about 3,000 refugees, migrant workers and activists staged a march towards the Burmese embassy in Kuala Lumpur and handed a memorandum to minister-counsellor Win Myint, urging the junta to resolve the unrest in Myanmar.
Taiwan - The President of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Chen Shui-bian expressed, on behalf of the Taiwanese Government, he conveys the strongest denunciation and regret to such violences of anti-democracy, anti-human rights, anti-humanity of Burmese Government, and appeals to the global democratic community to bring active interposition to Myanmar, so that bring liberty, democracy and peace to Burmese people afresh as soon as possible.
He also urges the international society to square up to the entity of autarchy of the People's Republic China, to her bad record of human rights, and also, to pay close attention to her military intimidation, diplomatic repression and political wars of consolidation to Taiwan.
[22][23][24] France - The French government warned Myanmar's ruling junta on September 24, that it would be held accountable if it cracked down on protesters who have taken to the streets in large numbers in Yangon.
[25]President Nicolas Sarkozy requested on September 26 that French businesses freeze investments in Myanmar and he called for the UN Security Council to have 'sanctions to be adopted without delay.
'[26] Switzerland - Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey spoke at the opening of the UN's 62nd General Assembly and addressed the use of force by Burma's military junta against pro-democracy demonstrators calling the situation "alarming".
[27] Germany - Foreign Ministry spokesman, Martin Jaeger, expressed his sympathy towards the demonstrators, saying:"We, along with the Portuguese presidency of the European Union, urge the release of those recently detained during the protests.
[33] United Kingdom - The UK Ambassador, Mark Canning, commented that the Burmese leaders were now in uncharted territory, and was concerned about any possible crackdown by the junta, saying: "That would be a disaster, although in terms of probability, I'm afraid, ranks quite high.
"[34]Mike Ellam, Prime Minister Gordon Brown's spokesman, stated that: "[HM Government] deplore(s) the continued repression of ordinary citizens by the Burmese regime and we were deeply concerned by reports of further acts of violence perpetrated this week by security officials against peaceful demonstrators.
"[35]Foreign Secretary David Miliband, at the Labour Party Conferences in Bournemouth, responded to events by saying: "I for one thought it was brilliant to see Aung San Suu Kyi alive and well outside her house last week.
"[36] Vatican City - Pope Benedict XVI stated that he wishes for a peaceful solution to the "extremely serious" events in Myanmar, and expressed sorrow for the poor residents of the country during its "painful trial".
"[39] United States - President George W. Bush, on September 25, announced new sanctions against "the leaders of the regime and its financial backers", accusing the military dictatorship in Myanmar of imposing "a 19-year reign of fear" that denies basic freedoms of speech, assembly and worship.
[43] On September 28, the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the violence against protesters and called for the international community to make maximum efforts to contribute to the end of the current situation.
