3,000 Detained in Burma, by Junta's Count

Burma’s military regime imprisoned roughly 3,000 people in last month’s crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, the state-run newspaper announced today. Over 500 are still in custody, and more are being arrested each day. “Those who should be released will be,” the paper said. Meanwhile international outrage has prompted Japan and China to distance themselves from the regime, the AP reports.

Japan, incensed by the point-blank shooting of a Japanese photographer during the demonstrations, cancelled a $4.7 million grant to Yangon University. China, which often shields Burma from international pressure, declared support for UN efforts, but also praised the current calm as “the result of hard work and cooperation from all sides.” UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari pleaded his case in Malaysia yesterday, where the foreign minister supported the UN but ruled out sanctions. (More Burma stories.)